Report No. 73 of 1864 by Lewis Pelly on his journey from Bandar Abbas to Cape Jask reconnoitering the route of the proposed telegraph line [‎4r] (7/20)

7
having been forced out by subterraneous action from the Eastward, thus forming
lines of sandstone cliffs scarped to the Eastward, and sloping into the plain towards
the sea. After Sheeranhan the road debouches a^ain on the sea board at Gang*awn.
and thence skirting the hills in an Easterly direction, reaches the fort of Jashk,
situate among sand hills and distant about two miles from the shore line.
21. It would have been possible, after leaving Gown, to have returned to the
plain, and to have followed a route leading by Gattan and Koh-e-Moobarek, and so
round by the shore line to Gangawn. This route however would have been longer.
22. The district of Bujaban, like that of Minow, is subject to the Sultan of
Muscat. Its inhabitants are Beloochees said to have descended into the plain upwards
of a hundred years ago from the hill country of Beshakard. The local Governor
is a Belooch, who resides at Seereek. The villages along the district are more
numerous, and the date groves and cultivation more extensive, than I had expected
to find them. By a village, however, should be understood, as is usual in Central
Asia, a graveyard with some temporary huts about it. This district, as its Chief
told me, had never before been visited by any stranger, whether European or
Asiatic. The people are therefore more shy than they otherwise would be. Still I
do not apprehend that any difficulty would be experienced in carrying a Telegraphic
wire along the route I came. Those in chai ■ge of the operation would naturally be
careful to gain the confidence of the natives, and attract labour by regular just
payments and by mild treatment. After abundant rain and corresponding harvest,
provisions would be sufficiently abundant; but in ordinary times grain and straw
are very scarce, drinking water equally so, and even mutton and goats' meat not
always readily obtainable.
23. I estimate the distance from Bunder Abbass through Fort Minow to
Cape Jashk at a little under three hundred miles. My followers and baggage
moved on camels, which we changed as opportunity and need rendered expedient.
The march from Minow to Jashk being perhaps two hundred and thirty miles or
so, was performed in eight successive days' marching, and that from Bunder Abuass
to the Minow district in a little over 24 hours.
1 have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
LEWIS FELLY, Lieutenant Colonel,
II. B. M.'s Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .