'Reconaissance through Baluchistan and Seistan, 1897' [‎6v] (17/120)

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Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General, Meshed, with a copy of the order issued by
the Governor-Generaf of Khorasan to the Hashmut-ul-Mulk, directing him to receive
me with all honours and render me all the assistance that I might require during my
stay in Seistan, &c.
The condition of the horses and transport on the completion of this exceedingly hot
and rapid march necessitated a rest. Consequently a halt of a few days was made at
Robat.
During this period I was able to make a complete reconnaissance survey of the
surrounding hills and valleys, which are ot considerable strategic importance affecting our
trade routes and future policy towards Seistan.
Leaving Robat again on 6th May, at 7 miles, we joined, and followed
the main kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. route from Sarhad to Seistan and Western Afghanistan, by no means a
well-supplied route in the all-important matter of water, which is only met with at long
intervals.
We reached Seistan, 94 miles, on the 9th May. This latter part of the journey to
us appeared a regular highway, after the lonely deserts and plains we had crossed;
travellers and traders are free to come and go unquestioned, no restrictions being
imposed on them similar to those affecting our Seistan—Quetta routes, instituted by the
adverse influence of the Muscovite under the cloak of plague.
Incidents The journey at this season of the year, as may be supposed, was intensely hot, added
tn route. to which was a scarcity of water, which, moreover, was neither suitable nor palatable for
horses, much less human beings.
Most of the old wells hail either fallen in or had been filled in by sand-drifts; the
majority of them had been fouled beyond description by years of fcecal and other matter,
which, saturating the ground in the vicinity of the wells, had percolated through, thus
rendering the water positively dangerous for drinking purposes.
Though little if at all inhabited, excepting by a few wild nomads, this, in former
days, was a much frequented route, but, owing to the zulum of Sir Nauroz Khan and the
predatory proclivities of the Reki and Dawani bad-mashes, it fell into disfavour.*
It was reported on reaching the Perso-Baluch frontier that the Amir of Afghanistan
meant to establish a post at Robat Pain on the site of the old Afghan Fort (vide Plan
Ko. 3), about Ij miles south of our frontier post at Bala Robat. Up to the date of our
departure from the country no steps had been taken in the matter, nor do I think there
is any likelihood of such a step being put into execution.
The surrounding hills near Robat and Ziarat-i-Malik-i-Siah abound in iron and
copper ore ; lead, too, is reported to have been found here, and there are evidences of
smeltings existing here in former days. The hillsides are plentifully covered wuth the
bastard or wild rhubarb (rivas), the acrid juices and stalks of which are appreciated by
the Baluchi.
The assafcedita (king) plant abounds all over the hills. Kafilas come here annually
and collect and dry large quantities w hich they import to India. On the Koh-i-Sultan
range, to the east of Amir Chah, large collections are also made of the plant.
Return We retraced our steps from Seistan as far as Saindak, from which place we returned
journey. by a more northerly route, via Amir Chah, rations having been laid down on this route
for the cavalry escort which I had purposed sending back at an early period, but did not
do so eventually, consequent on the aspect of Seistan affairs.
Our journey back was unmarked by any incidents other than those naturally
consequent on rapid and long marches in varying temperature, and a paucity of water,
at all times bad, often at distances of from 20 to 45 miles or more apart.
Disadvan- From Saindak to Gat-i-Barot, vid Amir Chah, the country is very desert and
ta^es of the waterless, and cannot be considered either a promising or practicable route,
northern Up to the time of our leaving Baluchistan, no water had been found between
Saindak and Amir Chah, although “Ido, 55 palwar of great fame, had worked hard for
6 months to sink w r ells at Drana Koh and Zeh, nor is there any between the long
weary stretch from Amir Chah to Mizzil.
On the other hand, as will be seen by a glance at Map KA. 1, water is found at
reasonable intervals on the southern parallel route in this vicinity, excepting on the
Siastarji plateau, where, in several spots, water is near the surface and could be easily
obtained.
With little difficulty, such as cleansing out and repairing existing wells, sinking a
few new r ones, and above all, building pucca watering troughs to prevent pollution of water,
* I shall again refer to this section of the route. Strategically it is a much better line of advance than
that by Amir Chah.—B.-C.