'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME IV.' [‎18r] (40/652)

in 1900 had a population of some 1,200 persons ; Miri Bazar in 187J was
estimated at 1,200, but in 1900 it contained only 30 families : official
oppression having driven the others away. Churak in 1871 had 800 souls,
but in 1900 it numbered only 55 families, probably for the same reasons.
The Dashtiari district from Sisad, on the south-east, to Khan, north of
Churak, on the north-east, had an estimated population in 1900 of 3,000
Jadgals and about 1,200 Baluchis.
The Bahu valley, as a whole, is not very fertile, though a considerable
amount of cultivation exists in the immediate vicinity of Bahu Kalat and
Miri Bazar. Owing to the fact that Bahu river has changed its course
in the neighbourhood of Sisad {q.v.), land that was formerly highly culti
vated has now lapsed into jungle, and official misgovernment is completing
the ruin. Supplies can generally be obtained, however, at the principal
villages. Camels are fairly plentiful, and rice, wheat, millet and barley
ara raised in the district. The irrigated fields are fenced round with thorn
hedges. In the cold weather numerous pools are formed by the over
flow of the Baku, on which wild duck and teal disport themselves, whilst
the adjacent copses afford cover to numerous black partridges. On the
intervening plains between the streams are found sandgrouse and obara.
Away from the rivers, the wide hot plains are irrigated by a system of
reservoirs, representing considerable expenditure of time and labour.
Lovett, in describing Bahu and Dashtiari in 1871, writes :—
“ With regard to the aspect of these plains, nothing can be prettier than
certain effects the traveller meets with. For instance, just before and
after sunset, under particular conditions of the atmosphere, the landscape
is charming. The hills surrounding the Dashtiari plain have very pro
nounced outlines. This, with the softening effect of distance, makes their
arid sides display various blues and greys, forming a delightful background
for the middle distance, composed of date palm and jujube trees, and
picturesque Baluch habitations. The wheels for raising water out of the
wells or canals, and the groupings of the inhabitants, variously occupied,
as, for instance, women fetching water, have a very good effect. But,
like many oriental scenes, a nearer inspection destroys the illusion.”
The inhabitants of Bahu and Dashtiari are Jadgals, Hots, Lattis, Kaisis,
Lagaris, Kosagis, Shahzadehs, etc. The Jadgals {q.v.) are a Sindi tribe,
undoubtedly of Lumri origin. Originally called in as mercenaries or auxili
aries they became strong enough to wrest the government from the Buli-
dis and the Jadgal Chiefs were for long more or less independent.
The Shahzadehs are of Arak descent and also migrated from Sind. The
Labis are apparently the same as the Lasis, and—like the Jadgals—of Lumri
ongm ; the remainder are Baluch, the Hots being the most numerous
and powerful of all the tribes in Baku Dashtiari. The Singalus, said to
be an inferior branch of the Hots, are also largely represented^
Lovett thus gives his general impression of the people :—
The inhabitants of Dashtiari and Sisad originally came from Sind,
and speak a degenerate Sindi, mixed with worse Persian. There are a great
number of slaves, and traces of African descent are frequently encountered!
D “