'Reconaissance through Baluchistan and Seistan, 1897' [‎22v] (49/120)

noticeably more healthy than the garrison and Parsiban folk, who lead a lazy life, are
habitual opium and shangarif smokers, and addicted to vicious habits.
I trust I may be pardoned for entering so into detail on climate; my apology for so
doing is its great importance, in the event of any future policy we may be forced to
adopt, with regard to this country.
Population. Taking the total number of houses in the overleaf compilation, viz., 19,472, and
allowing each house to contain three people, a reasonable estimate (allowing for empty
houses contantly seen), we get a total of 58,416 inhabitants plus 1,765 Siah Khanas,
each containing, say, five people, i.e., 8,815 nomads.
The above figures may be relied on as a fair approximation. The elements
comprising this population consist of the following:—Sarbandi, Sharaki, Naroi,
Sanjarani Taoki, Kyani, Sarhadi and Ghaiani.
The following are the subdivisions of the Baluch tribe (above noted) that are met
with, viz., Safarzai, Muhumsani, Sangtrash, Kashani, Aisanzia, Gorgaiz, Rakhshani
(fellow kinsmen of my levee escort), Kharot, Jamalzai, Murrai, Humazaini, Sharani
Reki, Galachah, Yaramadzai.
The following are among the Parsiban tribes met, viz., Jar, Ali Sufi, Arab, Sarwani,
Sulimani, Barani, Tujki, Dilarami, Sinchuli, Mulla Mardan, Arjuni, Goorg, Kolikani,
Ali Ahmed, Kamarki, Goshchin, Qrduni, Halil, Panj Kohi, Tillas, Babzai Garak, Shalvi,
Uzadi.
Resources. The tables showm include all the flocks, cattle, camels, &c., grazed and owned by
the nomads from Naiband, Sarbad, &c., who pasture their flocks in the country.
Some go over into Afghanistan, where without any distinction either Parsiban or
Baluch, they profess Suni religion, and hence on payment of grazing tax are not
molested, temporarily encamping by the villages throughout the country. To the
above may be added some 50 mules. We saw a few in the fort at Nasratabad, also a
few more at Saidak with Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Khan Jehan and others, in a few villages on the frontier
in the 7th Nawar.
Transport. (a.) Camels. —Camels are the most suitable form of transport. Those available are
of a good, hardy class, well used to kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. work, and carry loads from 5 to 8 maunds,
Indian scale. Amongst them are some very good breeding camels and also sowari
(fast trotters), who can cover their 40 or 60 miles per diem even in this weather (dune
and July).
The above number could be augmented if required by some 3,000 from Dalbandin
and vicinity, and from Sarbad and Damini territories by some 2,000 more ; if more
were required they must be brought from Peshin, Kalat, Mashkil, and Makran. During
the months of July, August, and September camels suffer quite as much from flies
as horses do if in the vicinity of the Hamoon.
We had little difficulty in procuring a large number of camels for transport while
in the country to supply my posts on the intervening barren deserts between Seistan
and Robat, &c.
We also employed a large number, laying down a six months’ supply of grain at
Robat post,* with a large margin to carry them on in case of boycott by Seistan
officials ; besides this I laid down all supplies of grain, forage, flour, &c., right up to
Amir Chah (to convey the Mission back), no small amount, considering the strength of
the party, &c. :—
Men 35
Horses 14
Camels.. .. .. .. .. .. 21
Mules .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
I purchased some very good barbardari camels at from 80 to 100 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , and three
sowari camels at 65, 85, 110 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. respectively. Almost all the camels are absent
from the country during the cold weather on kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. work to Bandar Abbas, Quetta,
Meshad, Jalk, &c.
(b.) Donkeys .—The donkeys are small but wiry, their powers of endurance great.
They are largely used both for transport and riding. The Persian infantry in the
* This action was a considerable saving to Government, as grain rose in price before we left the
country, when most of the surplus grain had been exported. This supply was procured at following rates:—
Flour .. ,, .. 16 seers per rupee.
Wheat .. .. .. ,.19 „
Barley 37^ „
flhusa ,, ,, .. ,. ,, as 4 per maund.