'Report of Khan Bahadur Maula Bakhsh, Attaché to the Agent to the Governor General of India and Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General for Khurasan and Sistan, on His Journey from Meshed to Quetta via Turbat-i-Haidari, Kain, Sistan, Kuh-i-Malik Siah and Nushki (7th April to 28th July 1898)' [‎47r] (98/156)

ON HIS .TOTTENEY FEOM MESHED TO QUETTA, 1898.
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south-east of the Shela), viz., Poghi or Mukk-i-Surkh ; or Slab ab or Girdi Chah,
whichever it may he. Water required at Poghi should either be carried from
that place or Safidava (in whichever direction the caravan may he proceeding).
Heat intense at Sangar-i-Mir ’Alam Khan. (ft) The heat Continues to be intense.
(c) The excessive heat -and want of water at Poghi exhausted all our
v ' camels; one broke down on the road and
could not bring on its load to the stage.
Effect of heat and want of water on camels.
Saturday, 11th June 1898.
103. Sidh db.
Siah db.
Time taken by laden camels, 10 hours.
Distance, 20 miles.
Good v/ater procurable from wells.
Camel-grazing and fire-wood plentiful.
No supplies procurable.
(a) Having ascertained previously that the water of the inundations had
v ° ^ not yet found its way to the Gaud-i-Zir-eh*
The Shela. (or Zarlh), and that the Shela was nearly
dry, we marched south-east to the next Abgah or halting place containing
water.
We crossed the Shela from west to east at the 10th mile and found its
bed a little wet, but hard enough to allow laden camels to pass without any
difficulty.
Encuiries made from Baluchis whom we met about here showed that the
water of the inundations had a few days previously flown down and just
wetted the bed of the Shela up to a point within a short distance of Gumbad-
i-Shela, but that the flood having subsided no more water had come down.
For the last ten years no water is said to have flown down the Shela to
Gaud-i-Zireh, which is said to have nearly dried up inconsequence.
( b) Durin" the season of the inundations it is impossible for camels to
, u from pass the ground under water from Bah-
Route taken by camel caravans proceeding trom H i^ i . i j. j
Neh to Sistan during the season of the inundations. ring Or DasMak towards JNaSirabaa Or
vice versa, and all caravans travelling from Neh to Sistan have then to take
the route followed by me and cross the Shela somewhere near the place where
I crossed it, as owing to its low banks and narrow width it is easily fordable
there After crossing the Shela they either stay at Tappa-i-Mir Dost, Siah ab,
or some other wells near there, and then go to Sihkuha in two or three
marches either by Chah-i-Muhammad iteza Khan and Warmal or by Ramrud
and Khanduk.
(<?) When the Shela is in flood it is said to be impassable for camels
v ; throughout its length, and the roads
The shela impassable when in flood. leading to Sistan from the north, south,
or west then being closed all camel-traffic is suspended for the time being.
(d) During the season when the Shela is in flood camel caravans going
X7l ^ M i., q .,, from Neb to Kuh-i-Malik Siah must
„,u“. Sf sh'eia avoid crossing that river and travel along
when that river is in flood. j-^g ^^gf, hank f rom Sangar-i-Mir ’ Alam
Khan to Hurmuk obtaining water from the Shela as they go along, as then
it is perfectly drinkable.
(e) When there is no fresh water in the Shela all camel-caravans bound
c cu , . ,. .. f for Kuh-i-Malik Siah must cross the
vans going to Kuh-i-Malik Sidh when there is no Shela from WCSt to Cast and Camp at OUB
fresh water in that river. of the wells in the vicinity of Tappa-i-
Mir Dost or Ramrud either at Girdi Chah or Siah ab or wherever they may
* This word is pronounced by Sistanis as Zarih, but 6aud-i-Zireh is said by educated persons to h® the correct
me. Gawd means hollow and Zireh lower or low. Therefore Gaud-i-Zir-eh means the low (or lower) ho ow.