‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎26v] (57/134)

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(7) There are no Kafilas at all now coming- or going, nor have there been any urgent
measures to be adopted since June, as the heat prevents any trade. All will be at rest as^far
as trade and Kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. moves till middle or end of October; at this period they begin to start
from here and do not return again till end of November or middle of December.
Jalk and Nushki Kafilas arrive here, I suppose, about the same time, though many from
Jalk come earlier with dates and return with grain, J
( 8 ) It has been intensely hot during July reaching 116 in our tents last week and my
camels have suffered severely ; we have lost three and several more are very much like Rosin-
ante's mare, “ all skin and bone ” The horses have stood it well, but the flies now are a great
source of trouble to all animals and simply devour them if not covered or protected.
(9) As for the human element of the Mission, they have stood the severe heat well and
are all fairly fit.
( 10 ) I hope all my letters have reached safely and sincerely trust that from the cool and
p easant surroundings of your official stools you will all be magnanimous and charitably treat
all my literary attempts favourably, recollecting I have no clerks to assist me and not over
look the facts of the heat and narrow limits of the surroundings, etc., from which I write.
(11) I send in this a proposal* which I think it would he desirable for the Department
concerned to move in; not only may a supply of camels both now and in the future be
secured, but the expenditure of a few thousand rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. amongst these scattered nomads will
have a most beneficial effect.
No. 7, dated Seistan, the 10th August 1897.
From— Suegeon-Majob G. W. Bbazier-Cbbagh, A.M.S., Officer on Special Duty in Seistan,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
Some trouble on the frontier over distribution of water, of which there is a oreat scarcity
at this season of the year always, but this year in particular as far as Seistan ha?fared.
This is due to the waste consequent on the bursting of the bund which was not properly
repaired. The country is now as arid and parched as the Baluchistan deserts the supply of
water limited and only got from wells dug in each village or dry beds of irrigation canals.
On the 2 nd instant the Governor of Killa-i-Kang in Afghan territory appeared with a
force of 200 men on the frontier and took by force the water from Karko Shah channel on to
the Afghan lands.
Officials in Nasratabad were disturbed in consequence and appealed to the Sardars in turn
to go there and arrange matters. The Sardars in turn, whose interests were not concerned in
that side, made excuses, and eventually 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 of Saidak ou the frontier was
appealed to, to come to some arrangements with the said Afghan Governor.
The matter is yet unsettled and the Governor is reported to have come to Nasratabad on
the 7 th about the matter.
Reported purchase of ground by Russian authorities between Gulwarda and Chain for
purpose of erection of military post, and that the military officers, presumably Captain Ben-
dereff, are purchasing and storing grain for this purpose. 1
This purchase is commonly spoken of in the bazars here, as also that the Russians are so
jealous of the British post so near at Robat that they seek to establish their post just as near.
Also that they and the officials surrounding Sartip have been appealed to, to get the British
officer and his party out of the country, as his influence with jeople aud Sardars is haviug a
bad effect. 6
The Sardars themselves who are rather pleased at this are my informants and two of
them have just returned from a long stay at Tabas and are well in the know on all matters
They assure me there is no doubt as to the purchase of lauds as mentioned and for the purpose
stated. 1 r
A proposal worthy of consideration is to select one or two of the sons of influential Sar
dars in here and put them to school at.Quetta. The suggestion has met with approval both
by the boys themselves and fathers concerned who are prepared to send their sous each with a
servant aud horse, or alone as Governor thinks fit.
No. 8, dated Seistan, the 22nd August 1897,
From-StJBGBON-MAJOE G. W. Bbazieb-Cbbagh, A.M.S., Officer on Special Duty in Seistan,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, Simla.
In continuation of former despatches, I have the honour to forward herewith the latest
intelligence.
( 1 ) On my first arrival in the country and while at Daulatabad on 13th May I heard of
the murder of Darwesh (beggar) near Neh, at the same time I also heard particulars of the
* The purchase of camels for the India Camel Transport.—B. C.