'Report on the Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route, for the year 1900-1901' [‎10r] (19/32)

REPORT ON THE QUETTA-SEISTAN TRADE ROUTE FOR THE YEAR 1900-1901.
11
that, unless speedy action is taken to prevent Sir Nauroz Khan levying these ille
gal dues, I feel assured that the Sarhaddis will seek redress for the loss they are
being put to by raiding the trade road. It may be asked why 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. Nauroz Khan
was in the first place permitted to huild a fort at Zawag. 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. Mir Khya Khan,
Reki of Mashkel, did enter a protest against the fort being built, but his objection
was overruled on 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. Nauroz Khan explaining that his motive in building
the fort was solely due to a desire to protect his country from partu s of marau
ders. While every encouragement should naturally be given 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. Nauroz Khan
to guard his Mashkel possessions from attack, yet I would venture to submit that
he should not be permitted to exceed his powers and, by levying taxes ontrans-
frontier tribes, to keep up a constant state of irritation on the frontier, from the
results of which he is secure, but from which the trade route is almost sure to
suffer*
48. While I was halted at Saindak two kafilahs passed through on their
way to Quetta. The first belonged to a Kirman trader, named Agha Mohamed
Uadi, and was laden with fine Persian silk and woolen carpets valued at Rs. 27,'>70
The credit of despatching this caravan belongs to Major Sykes, our Consul in
Kirman, who arranged everything regarding it, and financed it himself to the
extent of Rs 2 ; 000. Escorted by the two levy sowars I had sent to meet it, the
caravan had marched from Kirman, through Narmashir, to Killa Robat, following
a road which passed to the north of Sarhad. Agha Mohamed gave me an inter
esting account of his journey, which, in so far as it related to the country through
which he had passed, coincided closely with what I had heard from the Kirman
carpet caravan which came to Quetta last year. i\ gha Mohamed told me that
he found a very fair caravan road throughout, with water at suitable distances
apart and plenty of good camel-grazing and fuel. He said that he had had no
trouble on the road, excepting such as had arisen from a case of sickness among
his men, which had somewhat delayed his march. Agha Mohamed expressed a
hope that the Government of India would see their way to link Kirman to
Quetta by a branch trade route connecting with the present Nushki-Seistan route
at either Killa Robat or Saindak, and he gave it as his opinion that, if this step
was taken, the mercantile community of Kirman, would gladly avail themselves
of this route to introduce their goods into India and to purchase Indian manufac
tures in return. 1 pointed out to the trader that the seaport of Bandar Abbas lay
close to Kirman, and I asked him to explain how a branch route, following the
alignment he advocated, could hope to compete in cheapness with water-borne
goods. The explanation, which Agha Mohamed gave me, was so interesting that
1 offer no excuse for repeating it in full. Agha Mohamed first explained that,
although the Persian is, comparatively speaking, indifferent to the length of any
land journey he undertakes, yet he is so strongly prejudiced against the sea that
nothing short of dire necessity will ever induce him to undertake a sea voyage. He
then went on to say that the Indian dealers, who visit Bandar Abbas in winter, are
well aware of this, and take advantage of it to form a ring which settles the pur
chase and sale prices of goods, much to the benefit of the Indian trader and to
the loss of the Persian trader. My answer to this was that, if a branch trade
route connecting the Nushki-Seistan trade route with Kirman was opened to
trade, the Indian dealers, who visit Bandar Abbas in winter, could very easily
regulate their prices so as to undersell the Persian merchants who patronized the
land route. This objection was met by Agha Mohamed saying that the Indian
dealers who visit Bandar Abbas do not supply the wants of the Kirman market, and
that they compel Persians to buy whatever goods they have brought with them.
He furthermore stated that north and east of Kirman was a large stretch of
country whose raw products could be more advantageously despatched to Quetta
than to Bandar Abbas. While Agha Mohamed’s views are naturally open to
criticism, yet there is certainly much truth in what he said and there is no doubt
that he voices the opinions of many leading Kirman meref)ants. What Agha
Mahomed Hadi told me regarding the dread which Persians entertain of the sea is
particularly true, and I wish to draw especial attention to it. Eew, I think,
* Some fifteen or eighteen years ago 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. Azad Khan, Nowsherawani, occnpied the fort of Gnlaga. The Persian
Governor of Bampur resented this on the ground that Gulaga was Persian and attacking Gulaga, he put the
garrison to flight and dismantled the fort. Gulaga being much further from the frontier than Zawag, the
inference is that it is the demarcation of the frontier which has”enabled 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. Xauroz Khan to advance his claims as
far as he has done. Some of my informants assure me that the ground on which the Zawag fort is built, although on
our side of the frontier, belong’s to the Sarhaddis and falls without the limits of Kharan and so in Sir Nauroz Khan’s
jurisdiction. The Persian claim to Gulaga, alluded to, would tend strongly to confirm this view.-F. W.