'Report on the Development of the Baluch-Persian Caravan Route and on the Nushki, Chagai and Western Sinjerani Districts, for the year 1899-1900' [‎11v] (22/64)

REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALUCH*PERSIAN CARAVAN ROETE AND
18
There are no local reasons to prevent the extension I advocate becoming 1 an accom
plished fact * The country, west of Nushki, is a level plain where both camel carriage and
labour can be obtained at rates which compare favourably with those current elsewhere in
Baluchistan. The extension of the telegraph line west is a matter which I trust will receive
the serious consideration it merits.
38. A batch of 40 remounts reached Quetta in September. Colonel Queripel, Civil Veteri
nary Department, who inspected the horses on their arrival, informed n.e that their substance,
breeding, and quality, left nothing to be desired. The remounts realized the high average price
of Rs. 340 per head', a price which has encouraged the horse trade through Nushki greatly.f
I would like to note here that no single ease has come under my notice during the year where
either a horse or pony has died on the road between Seistan and Quetta.J
39. Mr. Vredenburg, an Officer of the Geological Survey of India, was deputed to accom
pany me on tour during the winter of 1898-99, with instructions to report on the mineral
resources of the Chagai and Western Sinjerani Districts. Mr. Vredenburg has submitted,
through the head of his department, an interesting and instructive report dealing exhaustively
with the geological formation and geological history of the country west of Nushki; but as
this gentleman devoted comparatively little time to an investigation of the mineral resources
of the district, I would submit, for consideration, the advisability of deputing a mining expert
to Chagai next winter to examine and report on the commercial value of the district's mineral
deposits, which there is every reason to suppose are valuable.§
40. The facilities which the Quetta branch of the Punjab Bank and the Meshed Branch
of the Imperial Bank of Persia offer traders for remitting money are being taken advantage
of to an extent which is increasing. I am indebted to the Agent, Punjab Bank, Quetta, for
the information that a sum of Rs. 15,UU0 was remitted to Meshed during the winter of
1899-1900.
41. The number of Shiah Muhammadans who make the pilgrimages to Meshed vid Nushki
and Seistan is increasing. This constant flow of pilgrims tends to attract attention to the
route by making it the subject of much discussion in native circles. I incline to the opinion
that the interests of the route would be served in no small degree by consulting the convi-
nieuce of Shiah pilgrims. This can best be done in two ways, viz., by providing accommoda
tion for pilgrims at every stage between Quetta and Killa Robat, and by appointing a
trustworthy agent]! of the Shiah persuasion in Quetta, with duties to correspond with would-
be pilgrims, to assist them ou their arrival in Quetta in the various ways a man on the spot
can always do, and to arrange details connected with the hiring of their transport. To provide
pilgrim accomodation of a modest type at every stage would only involve an expenditure of
Rs. 3,600, but should Government rule that this expenditure is unnecessary, I would then
venture, in the interests of Shiah pilgrims, to solicit permission to invite the leading Shiah
Muhammadans of India to contribute funds, I have reason to suppose that au appeal for
funds for such a laudable purpose would meet with a very ready response.^
42. Trade with Jalk and Sarhad, a trade which is for the most part confined, on the one
side, to dates and, on the other side, to piece-goods, is progressing steadily.
In November last a Mashkel date caravan, which was on its way to Nushki vid Kharan
was attacked by some Gidar badmashes near Bado and lost two men killed, one man wounded
and six loads of dates stolen. With this exception there is nothing to record iu connection
with this trade.
43 Three years ago I reported that His Highness the Amir had instructed the Governor
ot harah to station a post, manned by Garmsel Baluch, at Hurmak, the first stage beyond
Ki la Robat on the caravan road to Seistan, but that the steady opposition with which his
oiders on the subject had been met by the Helmand Baluch had compelled him to defer his
in ention. In the course of the year I have received no further confirmation of this report.
ia\e always been apprehen^ve of the Pathans claiming Hurmak as, with the exception of
Lower Robat** it ,s the on y place on the frontier where the Amir could station a preventive
V ° S ]’ ^ t iu nsk °- t ie Af S hans la y ,n 2 claim to Hurmak, I have made this staa-e
and not Killa Robat the terminus of the katcha road which runs from Nushki to the Persian
frontier, and I am also building a small shelter for dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. sowars here.
14. The Quetfa-Seistan dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. system, which was inaugurated in 1897, was converted in
course of the present year, from a weekly into bi- weekly post and at the same time the speed
I expniTre"! ^ ^ attenti ° n t0 Waj ° r C ' T,ench ’ 8 diar y No ' 2 ’ dated 10th April, which accords with the views
remoniUs for their r^spect^'^reg^rnen^ 0113 '! he nunfber de8 P a ^ ed an a ^ en ^ Meshed onf Seistan to purchase
that of any previous /ear. Th?^! Je^rA^Vanfrn h^it^ di^uT 0 ^ t0 tLi8 ^ eXCeed ’
t I exclude the death from pneumonia noted in the footnote to paragraph 11 of this Appendix.
old Igtap:^'/ m/i!) ^ Ues"^ 6 a^ortheasteri / dimition"^ l°^i ^-traced a line of
to show that, many generations ago the Koh i Mtiliu si i r ° ^ 1 Mahk-Siah. These heaps of slag would tend
itself, but also at various places Khe viciuitv Mr VrS miUe8 f were , worked Koh-i-Malik-Siah
n r v v o, /? : Mr. \ redenburg’s report makes no mention of this interesting fact.
i Lu z, ? m t*- Tti! igent c °" id ,,8 °^ q—
, I am told that I could ra,se Rs. 25,0C0 in this way, without difficulty.
•• Tie water at Lower Robat is far from good.