'File 11/1 VI Muscat Administration Reports and related correspondence' [‎25r] (49/56)

May, 1950.
The following is an extract f rom the "Dawn" newspaper of Wednesday 3rd ,
GWADUR : an intolerable
Ety H.M.Balnch,
CONFRONT El) BT numerous urgent problems demanding immediate and undivided
attention that arose in the wake of partition, Pakistan has so far paid little
or no heed to several other issues which, though comparatively less important,
have nevertheless to be tackled soon. One such problem relates to the future of
Gwadur, a territory in the possession of the Arab Sultan of Muskat & Oman situa
ted on the Mekran Coast in South Baluchistan. Both from the point of view of iti
geographical position and historical and cultural background, Gwadur is an inte
gral and inseparable part of the State of Mekran.
The word Gwadur is a combination of two Baluchi words "Guad" and "Dar" mean
ing the "Gate of Wind". Situated between the Mekran ports of Pasni and Jiwani,
the territory has no defined Tnanjer boundaries. The question of its boundaries
had been a bone of contention between the Ruler of Kalat State and the Sultan of
Muskat long before the pertition of the Indian sub-continent. But inspite of
apparent efforts to find a solution, the question remained unsolved.
Roughly the boundaries extend in north to an area of about 8 to 10 miles
and ends in a place called Fhuleri. Having a total population of approximately
14»000 Gwadur comprises a sea town of that name, two other minor ports and a
number of small villages scattered over an area is called Nagore.
The southern part of Gwadur is a T shaped strip of land about five miles
long and half to one mile wide projection from the main coast in the north
into the Arabian Sea and ending in the south with a six to seven hundred feet
high reef called "Koh-Batail". The reef which is about nine miles in length and
half to one mile in width is responsible for the formation of the east and west
bays.
The top of the reef contains a catchment area with an ancient masonary flam
supposed to have been constructed by the Portuguese. The dam is a fine example
of ancient engineering and workmanship. The huge blocks of stone used in its
construction are nicely carved in rectangular blocks, which dovetail together
to make a firm wall. There is no evidence of cement or some other material
having been used in its construction.
NATURAL SEAPORT.
The town of Gaadur with a total population of about 8,000 is a natural sea
port situated on the bank of the east bay on a sandy but hard soil dotted by
tall date-palm trees which present a picturesque sight. Most of the buildings
are made of mud only. Yfells dug in the narrowest belt of the projected strip
provide the only source of water supply to the town, which has a tenperate cli
mate and is considered one of the healthiest spots among the coastal towns of
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the Gulf of Muskat and Oman.
The indigenous produce of fish, which is famous both for its quality and
variety and the catching of which constitutes the main occupation of its inhab
itants. After being salted and dried, the fish is exported mostly to Colombo
and some to Hong Kong.
The other two minor ports of Gwadur are small fishing villages called Sur ara
and Pishukan having a population of about 1,500 to 2,500 respectively. While
the former is situated on the mouth of the east bay about 15 miles from the town
of Gwadur, the latter is in the west bay at a distance of 25 miles by land. The
rest of the area called Nagore consists of small scattered villages.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND,