'Reconaissance through Baluchistan and Seistan, 1897' [‎25v] (55/120)

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“ Ziarat
Baba
Radar.”
Ziarat-i-
Sultau.
Ziarat-i-
Malik-i-
Siah.
“ Langars.”
The sporte-
mau’s stone
Up the Radar Nala is a well-known Ziarat Baba Radar, elevation 3,926 feet; here on
the left bank of the Uala is a good spring. There are here two Sian Khanas of Narai
Baluch—headman, “ Murad 14 people, having two good ramahs (flock); camel grazing
and firewood plentiful.
Tip Darwazgu Nala, by a spring of the same name, is Ziarat-i-Sultan, which is
another much-frequented spot. On this range, Darwazgu, and on Chehal Dakhtaran, fine
oorial heads are to be obtained.
Some half-way between Robot Thana and Hurmak spring, situated on a slightly
raised plateau on the right side of the Wavaila Nala, is the Ziarat-i-Malik-i-Siah, the
most notable shrine throughout Baluchistan. This shrine, it is reported, was dedicated
to one Malik Balach, a pious follower of Pir-i-Sultan, who was buried here, having died,
some say, while on his way to Seistan, and by others it is stated while shooting on the
hills surrounding, which were much frequented by him.
The Ziarat is very neatly kept and well looked after by a fakir, it is tastefully covered
with stones of varied hue, snow-white predominating, large sticks surmounted with horns
and streams of cloth are placed at the head, tidy paths surround it, and votaries of all
sorts are strewn on the lengthy grave. The three large sacrifical stones outside the
entrance path and the ground in their vicinity show that the constant stream of travellers
and pilgrims on this much frequented highway, leading from Makran and Sarhad to
Seistan, make frequent sacrifices of sheep and goats here, and it now somewhat resembles
a shamble.
On the north side of the Ziarat are eleven langars of Malik, and on the south are
seven langars of Pir-i-Sultan. The mass of mountains on the east and south are
collectively called Koh-i-Malik Siah, but several of the prominent individual peaks
have different names. The ran^e on the west is called Nascat.
The real Koh-i-Malik range is very distinct but is not visible at all from the Ziarat,
being shut out by the intervening lower ranges, viz., Koh-i-Anjir, Koh-i-Malik-i-Loap, &c.
The Rud-i-Malik is really a continuation of the Wavaila Nala which is styled
Rud-i-Malik or Malik Siah Nala, from the Ziarat onwards till joined by the Rud-i-
Garajarog, it bears the saintly name Malik Siah like the surrounding hills. This nala
does not join Hurmak Nala, as noted by Major Jennings, it joins the Rud-i-Madan, vide
map No. 2 and Appendix G, No. 259.
Across the nala, opposite the Ziarat, is a large black stone hurled down from the
'hill top by the departed saint, this stone is called the Shikar-ta-Khal, or sportsman’s
stone, and it is related that the great Saint Malik, himself a great sportsman, gave
orders that none should shoot in these hills till he could hit the stone from the Ziarat,
or if he did he would have no luck in his shooting. This conspicuous stone is now a
target for all desirous of fame as marksmen.
Proceeding up the nala to the east, about a mile, is a fresh spring called Malik-na-
Loap-na-dir, its position is localised being at the foot of a conspicuous conical hill styled
Koh-i-Malik-i-Loap (loap being Baluch for conical and dir for water).
It is indeed curious how a kindly Providence fits in the natural requirements for so
many pilgrims as to supply their wants in the all-important matter of water in this other
wise arid spot.
Situated to the south-east from this conical hill is the Malik Siah range, shut out
completely from view at the Ziarat, to the north and south of the aforenamed springs
are two low hills, on the northermost of these is a langar to the Malik, it is quite visible
on the top from the Ziarat below. I cannot help thinking this must be the peak climbed
by Major Jennings, R.E.*, and not the actual peak of Koh-i-Malik Siah which overlooks
the desert, and not the Ziarat, and is a conspicuous land mark from the Shelag desert.
I cannot account for Major Jennings having missed the Ziarat in the nala and found it
on the top of a hill hard by.
On page 8 of Colonel Bell’s report is mention of having passed the Ziarat, and
having made a detour a few miles back to pass Malik Siah Koh. This is quite correct;
a few miles up the Wavaila nala from the Ziarat the high peak of Malik Siah with
Boundary Pillar 186, planted on it by Captain McMahon, is visible to the naked eye.
There is also some misapprehension about Koh-i-Robat, or Koh-i-Malik Robat,
which it is as well to clear up. It is not a separate range, the Siah range has two well-
defined peaks, a northern called Malik Siah Koh, and the southern is Koh-i-Malik Robat,
at the foot of which is now placed our frontier outpost called Robat Thand. Some good
heads of oorial are also to be got on this range.
* Report on a journey through Western Baluchistan and Eastern Persia, by Major Jennings, R.E,
page 80. See also Captain McMahon’s report on Boundary Conamission.—B.-C.