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‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎22v] (49/134)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (63 folios). It was created in 1898. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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2. On 8th instant I inspected seven of the party, the others had dispersed into the
surrounding villages.
3. This party had been 40 days on the road, had tramped all the way, and were all fit
and free from any ailments.
4. This was the party the Russian officer had caused the trouble about during his visit
to Sehkuha mentioned in last letter.
5. Reported to authorities my inspection, mentioning to the Mulla that they might be
permitted to proceed ; objections on part of officials raised, but the head Mulla supported my
representations, and told Sartip and others what 1 maintained was quite evident, viz., that any
one who had gone through 40 days , severe trials and hardships in this weather, walking
all the way from Quetta, had been practically 40 days in quarantine and could not communi
cate disease.
6. The men I learn were permitted to proceed after a few days' detention.
7. Another kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. from Quetta (Baluchis) and also one from Jalk arrived at Killa-i-Nao
who were also inspected and found fit; these were not interfered with, the Russian officer
having left the country.
8. The Russian officer’s dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. has not yet been recovered, nor has there been any trace of
the dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. runner.
9. The officer, I learn, is to remain at Birjand for an indefinite period.
10. The Russian tents reported as being seen near Farrah have turned out to be those
of Afghan troops recently arrived, some as increase to the garrison, and the others for purpose
of conveying the families of Syed prisoners to Kabul.
11. Some 25 Hazara Syeds of the same party, who had escaped into Seistan, appealed to
me to move the British Government in their behalf, as their fellow-men and relations were now
being slain by His Highness the Amir—the servant of the British Government—and others
were being kept in prison in Afghan territory.
12. On the 13th instant, consequent on the extreme heat affecting both men and horses
and a paucity of grazing, 1 split up my party putting the escort in camp at Killa-i-Nao
where there were ample supplies to be had and good grazing, and moreover, all inhabitants
being Balucb, most friendly disposed and ready to bring all supplies.
13. Accompanied by the remainder of the party, I proceeded due north from the
capital, moving along the bank of the Hamun where ample grazing was free to all comers.
14. This enabled me to mix freely with nomad encampments from all parts, treat their
sick, and cement friendly relations with them, and at the same time to visit all the villages on
the outer circle, as 1 had, while encamped at Nasratabad, compiled statistics of all villages
and towns within a radius of 10 to 15 miles of the capital.
15. Arriving at Guzbar to the north-east, I left ray camp by the bank of the river, and
with a few attendants I crossed both arms of the Helmand, and, proceeding on foot for three
marches, visited the towns on the Perso-Afghan frontier, and ascertaining that there was no
truth in the report made by the Hussian officer to the Seistan authorities that plague had
appeared at Kandahar, Farrah, Chakansur, etc.
16. We were well treated by 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” and the “widow” 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.
Muhammad Sharif,” two influential and more or less independent parties (Baluch) on the
frontier.
17. They supplied us not only with horses and guides, but daily sent cooked mimanie for
the entire party.
18. Both these Sardars were well known to Sir R. Sandeman and had been on the
Goldsmidt Boundary Commission, and are most loyally disposed to British influence.
19. It was a pleasing trip amongst hospitable friendly people in comparison to the sour
faces and unfriendly feeling ot many of the Parsiban towns we had passed through, and every
assistance was given us to complete the statistics of these parts right up to Milak where I
had previously visited.
20. We reached camp here on 29th instant finding all well, and much improved in tone
and health, the climate being much more salubrious than the bare plain at Nasratabad.
21. These tours, which alone keep the party fit in this country and heat, enable me now
to complete a detailed account of all available supplies, etc., every head of cattle, sheep, horse,
donkey, etc., and to supplement and verify by personal observation each detail which had also
been otherwise compiled while halting.
22. In addition we were able to treat a large number of sick, get much useful information
from patients and others, visit the chief Sardars of all Baluch tribes, and those from within
Ghain who graze here at this period of the year, and thus cement friendly relations with
desirable parties, explain the trade facilities now opened up, and above all show ourselves to the
people, speak our politics openly, and defend ourselves from the calumnies and misrepresenta
tions of the northern rival and the Persian officials, who, without any doubt, are averse to our
interests spreading in the country, and who, through the Governor of Birjand and right-hand
man of the young Sartip here, are working dead against us in every possible way.

About this item

Content

The volume consists of a report by Surgeon-Major George Washington Brazier-Creagh on his mission to Seistan [Sīstān] on ‘plague duty’ to investigate the closure of the Perso-Afghan-Baluch trade routes under the ‘mantle of plague’ from April to October 1897. The report is divided into five sections:

  • The Outward Journey: A general account of the journey across the Baluchistan Desert – folios 5-7.
  • A general history of the Mission and condition of affairs in Seistan – folios 8-13r.
  • An account of influential chiefs and material connected with the administration of Seistan – folios 13v-15r.
  • The Return Journey: A review of road infrastructure and trade prospects – folios 16-17.
  • A review of the strategic and political outlook – folios 17-18.

The remainder of the volume (folios 20-58) consists of appendices. A pocket on the inside back cover contains five folded maps (folios 60-64).

On the front cover, it bears two stamps reading ‘War Office. Library. 14 Dec 1889’ and ‘Intelligence Division. 14 Dec 1889’ respectively.

Published in Calcutta by the Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India (1898).

Extent and format
1 volume (63 folios)
Arrangement

The report is divided into five sections with appendices at the back of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 65; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎22v] (49/134), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/33, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044160194.0x000032> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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