Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; With Journal of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis Volume 1

by Claudius James Rich

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. Fragment of a Journal from Bagdad to Sulimania, by Mrs. Rich. (Referred to in p. 3.) April 16, 1820.--After being detained by numerous visitors till twelve o'clock, I at last bade adieu to the residency, and set off to pay some farewell visits. I first went to my Koordish friend Salkha Khanum, the wife of Suliman Pasha, and she seemed not a little to envy me my excursion to her native mountains. She described to me a retreat worthy of the Ten Thousand, that, in company with her husband, she had made from Keuysanjiak to Kermanshah over the Revend mountains, through the country of the Bulbassi Koords, a most savage independent tribe, who had been urged by the Pasha of Bagdad to attack and cut off her husband. During nearly forty days they were in the midst of one continued fight. "Often," to use her own words, "have I mounted my horse with balls flying about me in every direction, and whichever way I turned my head, dead and wounded lay strewed about me." They, however, had the happiness to escape, owing to the bravery of their followers and the timely assistance of some friends. She is remarkably handsome, very feminine, and delicately made, and she formed a striking contrast to the singular adventure she was relating in so calm, modest, and unaffected a manner. I took leave of her, and proceeded to the Kiahya's haram, to bid adieu to my constant and intimate friend Hanifa Khatoon, 332 FAREWELL VISITS. [APP. I. who was very angry at our fancy, as she called it, of flying off to such a solitary savage place as Koordistan, and leaving all the comforts and amusements of Bagdad. At sunset I parted from her with real regret, and went out to the garden of Saleh Bey, about five minutes' walk from the town, to pass the night with his...

102 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 1972

Reviews

[Toros Yesja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is of immense value to anyone interested in Kurdish history and society (more specifically, that of Baban). Mr. Rich was the British resident in Baghdad in the early 19th century, and was moreover a brilliant man. It is not that long ago, but due to the lack of other sources from that era, it is really precious. It was really interesting to notice things which have changed in the intervening time and really surprising to discover how much has actually stayed the same.