"استطلاعات في بلاد الرافدين وكردستان وشمال غرب بلاد فارس ولرستان في الفترة من أبريل إلى أكتوبر ١٨٨٨، كتبها المقدم ف. ر. مونسيل، فرع الاستخبارات. يوجد مجلدان. المجلد الأول: تقرير سردي ووصف للمدن الكبرى والطرق المؤدية منها. شيملا: فرع الاستخبارات، إدارة قائد الإمداد والتموين، ١٨٩٠" [ظ‎‎١‎٤‎٢] (٣١٢/٢٨٩)

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Kalnkadjar Dagh .—At \\ miles reach the summit of a spur (G^SSO'), from
which is a good view to the west of the Kalakadjar Dagh, bearing 248° with
the summit streaked with snow. The range overlooks Banah.
Follow a stony road with some steep ascents and descents in and out of
the deep valleys. The rock was granite and limestone chiefly, with occasional
patches of black volcanic trachyte.
Makhan Safasur .—Pass over a rounded ridge (7,385'), and at 10 miles
reached a grassy plateau called Makhan Safasur (7,745'), at the base of a
high rounded hill to the west. A Persian force was camped here operating from
Hamadan and Karmanshah against some nomad Jaf tribes who had wandered
over the frontier, and who w r ere ordered to be driven back again.
There were 600 infantry and 200 cavalry, with two 6-pr. smooth-bore field
guns. The guns had six horses, and were dragged up and down these hills for
the most part by hand. They said they had no difficulty in getting them
along.
We were received a mile from the camp by an “ istikbal ” of 50 cavalry
and 50 infantry, and had breakfast with Aga Dervish, Sirhang, in command
of the troops, and his officers.
The men were armed, some with Werndls, some with Chassepots, and some
with Turkish Martini-Peabodys, and lived in bell tents. The camp was arranged
according to no plan, and was in a very dirty condition. Water-supply was
from a large spring close by. Good green grass was obtainable for the horses
from the hillsides round.
There seemed none of what might be called military discipline. The
usual polite forms of etiquette was all that was noticed.
The men had no regular uniform, except some with a blue cotton frock, and
the officers wore the long black frock coat buttoned up to the throat, the
usual Persian dress. Snow had only disappeared from here about a month
ago, and this route is impassable in winter to caravans.
The Jafs number 6,000 tents. The villagers in this district are peaceful
cultivators, and these Jafs had so pillaged their villages that this force was sent
from Harnadan to drive them bafck into Turkey. The villagers now com
plain that they are in a worse case than before, as they have to supply the
Persian troops with provisions free; and the Jafs continue their depredations
as before, having moved only a short way towards the frontier.
The Jafs have for the last five years made this their summer quarters,
retiring for the winter to the districts along the Diala, south-east of Kifri,
and round Sulaimaniah (q. v.).
The Persian commander takes money from the chiefs of the Jafs, and allows
them to remain here, while at the same time he reports to Hamadan that
he has annihilated and driven them across the border.
Ehurkhura River.
We descended steeply from the camp,’ crossing a narrow valley running
down 28° (6,910'), and at 18 miles forded the Khurkhura (5,620') in a narrow
winding valley, the stream being now 30 yards wide and only a few inches
deep. To the north-east is a succession of bare brown undulating hills. To-
the west the hills rise steeper and become more rocky. There are numerous
springs in the hillside and a few shrubs by the river bank.
Mulanabad .—Ascend steeply out of the river valley, and at 19 miles halt
in the small village of Mulanabad (6,020'). The river makes a sweep of 2 to
3 miles to the west.