Şırnak and its arround in the 19th century through theeyes of Western travellers

Mesopotamia is an ancient region that has been home to different cultures and nations since the dawn of humanity. Located in northern Mesopotamia, the Şırnak province and its surroundings occupy a strategic position where north-south and east-west roads intersect, making it one of the places visited during transit. Throughout history, Şırnak province and its environs have been under the dominion of powerful states/civilizations such as Babylon, Assyria, Media, Persia, Parthia, Byzantium, Seljuks, and the Ottoman Empire. Some Western travelers have recorded notable impressions of the Şırnak province and its surroundings in their travelogues, as it served as a stopping point for travel from west to east. Between 1810 and 1910, during a century-long period, some Western travelers, pursuing different purposes, obtained information and documents during their journeys, particularly around Mount Cudi and its vicinity. These travelers discovered Assyrian rock reliefs in the villages of Şah and Hassana located on Mount Cudi. Additionally, they accessed Parthian rock reliefs in the Kasrik and Finik regions, and Assyrian steles in the village of Babil, situated southwest of Cizre. The information gathered by these travelers was subsequently disseminated to the global public. Within the 19th century, travelers conveyed their impressions regarding the ethnic and religious structure, political and economic situation, history, and geography of the region. In this context, an attempt has been made to present a general overview of the Şırnak province and its surroundings based on the works of some Western travelers between 1810 and 1910.