'MILITARY REPORT ON PERSIA. VOLUME IV, PART I.' [‎47r] (98/168)

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Mules are unobtainable in Bandar Abbas except from
earavans which have come down from the interior. The
rate of hire for these latter is krdns per diem.
donkeys .—After the camel the donkey is the most usual Donkey*,
method of transport in Persian Baluchistan while in Kerman
it is the most usual.
In the Sirjan and Kerman areas very considerable num
bers could be collected. In Jiruft there are about 800 in
possession of the Jlruftls and 1,000 in the possession of
the tribes. In Narmashlr they are not so plentiful, the ox
being preferred as a means of transport. There are said
to be 24,000 donkeys in the Kerman province.
The factors affecting the transport situation in the Bandar
Abbas area have been mentioned above, and are the same
both for camels and donkeys. If the roads were secure,
1,000 donkeys could probably be collected at Bandar Abbas
in winter in two weeks time, and 3,000 in 6 weeks. In sum
mer one-third of these numbers could be relied upon. hen
there is a slump in trade 1,500 donkeys should be obtainable
in winter in 6 weeks time, and in summer half as many.
The normal rate of hire for donkeys is 4 krdns per diem.
Horses .—Horses are little used, and only a few would be Hor»e«.
obtainable anywhere except perhaps in Jiruft, where the
settled population own about 700 and the tribes l,o00.
Oxen .—In Narmashlr a few oxen might be obtained for Oxen,
transport purposes, but not more than 500 at the outside.
There are probably not more than 2,000 in the district.
(For estimate of the numbers of transport animals avail
able in the various districts see Appendix B.)
(b) Supplies.
(a) Persian Baluchistan.—In Persian Baluchistan the Pe[* ia h n istan
inhabitants only cultivate sufficient for their own wants, 8 ®p p ii ai ,
and sometimes, owing to the exactions of Persian officials
and want of water, not even that. Until experience has
taught that the necessity does not exist, all supplies should
be carried, even including forage for animals, as one cannot
rely on obtaining bhoosa locally. Crops of wheat, barley,
rice, etc., are met with everywhere in small quantities.