'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME IV.' [‎21r] (46/652)

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6. Kurts or Kurds— In Baluchi “ Kurt Kanagh,” or “ Kurd Kanagh,” means
‘ to play the coward ” or “ to show the white feather ” in battle. These people
fled from Mir Chahkar’s standard in the night. 1 1
The phrase generally used in Baluchi is “ Baghabitha,” meaning “he showed the
white feather ” ; but both are used-
These people are found in Makran and Kudbar.
7. Zan-o-Zenis, also called Zainuddims— The origin of the word is “ Zanagh ”
the Baluchi for “ to know.” s ’
“ Zan na zane ” in Baluchi means “ Do you know or do you not ? ”
They were doubtful at the time of starting, and would not give Mir Chahkar a direct
answer to his question as to whether they had made up then minds to start with him
or not. They are found around Bampur.
8. Shah Haggis —These derived their names from Shah Hagg, the father of Mir
Chaahka, whose servants they were. They reside in Sarhad and are few in number
As a rule they live with the Bamaris, but are of slave birth (ghulam zadeh) and not
of noble birth (asl).
0. Nahruis— In Baluchi “ Druha ” means “ in good health ; ” and “ Nadruha” means
“ ill.” The name is simply a corruption of Nadruha. Regarding the origin of the
name, Lockhart, on the authority of Bottinger, states the name probably means low-
lander, in contradistinction to the Brahuis or highlanders ; but the derivation of
the name is but conjecture.
They are found in Sistan Sarhad, Bampur, Chagai, and Mashkid.
Head man (1909)—Saiyid Khan The tribe musters 800 armed men living in
Rizabad Band and Kasandar. Although Baluch by origin, this tribe intermin<ries
with the Persians, and some of them are Shdahs.
10. DamanIs —These were followers of B;bl Bamaii, Mir Chabkar’s sister.
At the time of departure as they were about to accompany him, BIbi Bamari spread
out the skirt of her dress (“ daman ” in Persian and Baluchi means “ the skirts of a
dress or mantle ”) and craved as a boon that her brother, who had bequeathed to her
all the property he left behind, as well as a fort, still known as “ BibI Bamari’s kaleh ”
in the neighbourhood of Bampur, would be pleased to leave this section behind
with her. He consented, and they have ever since been known as Damanis. It may
be remarked that it is an old Baluch custom, if a woman wishes to prefer an urgent
petition to the sarddr or hakim, she spreads out the skirt of her mantle before him
and the request, as a rule, is granted.
Frequently an attack by one tribe on another is prevented, or a bloody battle sum
marily stopped by mutual consent, owing to the women of both sides spreading
out the skirts of their mantles before the would-be combatants.
These people are found in Sarhad and near Bampur. A further account of this tribe
will be found under Sarhad.
11. PuRkiS—The origin of this tribe, who reside in Bampusht only, is unknown.
The correct word is “Pirki” from “ Pir,” meaning grandfather, and “ ki, ” who,
“—literally, “ Who is your grandfather ? ”
Mir Chahkar, accompanied by all his followers, with their wives, families and cattle
excepting the eleven abovementioned sections, left the neighbourhood of Bampur
and invaded Kachhi, which he conquered and repopulated.
He is also said to have fought a battle with the king of Delhi, the legend being as
follows :—
A nephew of Mir Chahkar’s, a son of his sister BibI Bamari, having quarrelled with
his uncle, left the latter and went to Delhi, where, owing to his illustrious descent
also to the fact that he was remarkably handsome and a good swordsman and rider
he was well received, and given a post at court befitting his rank and acquirements
This youth possessed a wonderfully beautiful wife, whom he took with him to Delhi
The fame of this woman’s beauty reached the ears of the king’s son, who without
ever having seen her became enamoured of her, and determined to possess her
In conjunction with the Vazir (prime minister) he contrived that MIf Chahkar’s
nephew should be despatched on some important mission from Delhi; and during
his absence he caused his lovely wife to be seized and conveyed to his harem.
61 I.B. E