‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎12r] (28/134)

15
as also to examine and map the extent of inundation and its effect at the
delta of the Helmand.
We traversed the entire country beyond the Rud-i-Parian, visiting all
the villages and trade centres on the Afghan border which had not been
accurately mapped or previously visited when in a condition of flood as at this
period of the year.
We worked up to Milak which we had visited as previously noted, when
in May I had made a rapid tour to the Helmand to intercept the Russian
medical officer and prevent his visiting some trade centres and inciting the
people as he had done on the south.*
We were beforehand again here, having managed to visit Milak and
other villages —trans-Helmand—two days previous to his arrival on the
Helmand bank at the only ferry opposite which our camp was pitched.
On hearing I had lost a horse and nearly lost my life in swimming the
river, then in high flood, he gave up the idea of crossing and returned to
Nasratabad by the route we had come.
^Particulars of Russian Officers Tour .—I might point out that the Russian
officer’s tour was a very short one, he had no tents, and put up in a house pre
pared for him at a few of the villages by some satellites of the Deputy Governor
who escorted him on his tour and who were by no means partial to exposure
at this particular season of tbe year.
On this tour we were for a few days the guest of 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 Jahan ot
Saidak ; nothing could exceed this Sardar’s kindness and generosity, as also
that of another hostess, the Bibi Qama, widow of the late 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. Gul
Muhammad of Pulgi.f I learnt through 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. Khanjan Khan that there
was no truth in the exaggerated reports the Persian officer had made about
plasrue, and which the Russian officer subsequently reported as having broken out
in Kandahar and Herat, etc.
This 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. w r as much interested in the political situation and the recent
Indo-Afghan Boundary Commission ; he knew Sir Robert Sandeman well,
having been at Kandahar and Quetta with him. He also took great interest in
the possible re-opening by Government of the old karezes at Robat, Koh-i-
Siah, Piran, Kirtaka, Amir Chah, etc. ; he informed me many of his tribe
would be glad to domicile there if permission were granted him as their ancestors
had formerly lived there. He also told me he went to Nasratabad during
Lieutenant Webb-Ware’s visit when he heard an English Sahib had come into
the country, but obstacles were put in his way and he could not pay his visit
to the officer. He had heard how the Sahib had given lots of presents to the
Sartip and some for the Sardars, which latter were not distributed ; how the
officials in return had treated the officer so badly and kept him sitting fourteen
days in Pain-Hussainabad awaiting camels, and had he (Khanjan Khan)
only known it, he would have gladly sent him camels.
He explained himself to his people who were sitting round at one of my
visits, recapitulating with wonderful accuracy every stage on the route ; how
that “ long before Russians could ever attempt to get into the country the
British Sirkar’s troops could jump into Seistan.”
He was well up in the Russian policy and ambitions with regard to
Afghanistan and the acquisition of trade monopoly, as also her doings in
Northern Persia.
Adverse influence at work .—On the 29th June I had to make a rapid
ride of 47 miles, my Daffadar having sent a special orderly to report that the
officials had stopped all their supplies J and were inciting the people to drive
them out of the country. For particulars vide Appendix A, letter No. 4,
dated 30th June 1897, paragraphs 25-27.
This unpleasant state of affairs was however smoothed over on letters
passing between myself and the Deputy Sartip, but the “ snake was still in the
* Vide Appendix A, letter No. 3, dated 7th July 1897, paragraph 3.—B. C.
f Vide Appendix A, letter No. 4, dated 30th June 1897, paragraph 16.—B. C.
J Notwithstanding the orders given by Persian officials not to sell supplies to our camp, large quantitiee were
•muggled into camp by friendly Sardars, Mullas, and others.—B. C.