'Report on the Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route, for the year 1900-1901' [‎12r] (23/32)

KEPORT ON THE QUETTA-SEISTAN TRADE ROUTE FOR THE YEAR 1900-1901.
15
to prevent 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. Syed Khan falling into the hands of the Russians as well as
to avoid the trouble which will eventually break out in Seistan that I -would
propose that 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. Syed Khan he invited to Quetta and be given a small
pension.* The second question naturally has reference to the Hashmat-ul-Mulk,
Governor of Seistan, and to our more open support of him, a matter on which
the very existence of our influence in South Eastern Persia would appear to
depend.
57- While in Seistan I was introduced to Mohamed Akbar Khan, Agent to
Muawin-ut-Tijjar, Mashad. Mohamed Akbar Khan told me that the Muawin-
ut-Tijjar had deputed him to Seistan with instructions to make enquiries
regarding the Nushki-Seistan trade route, and he said that if his report proved
satisfactory it was the Muawin-ut-Tijjar’s intention to abandon the Bandar
Abbas route in favour of the Nushki-Seistan route. In course of conversation
with Mohamed Akbar Khan I gathered that the Muawin-ut-Tijjar has a per
sonal interest in the tea trade, and that as tea imported into Persia by the over
land route, fetches a higher price in Mashad than tea imported via the sea
route and Bandar Abbas, the Muawin-ut-Tijjar is anxious to introduce his tea in
future by the Nushki-Seistan route. Mohamed Akbar Khan told me that he
had been favourably impressed by all he had heard in Seistan regarding the
new trade route, and that he had written to the Muawin-ut-Tijjar urging him
to put the route to the test of a trial.
53. When I left Seistan Mahomed Ali Brothers were making preparations
to forward a large consignment of goods to Mashad to a branch business they
were opening there. I was much interested to hear, from the head of the firm,
that M. Miller had used every argument he could think of to disuade him from
taking this step, and that on finding that his representations had no effect he had
proceeded to threaten him with ruin if he left Seistan. The anxiety which the
Russian Agent evinced to dbuade Mohamed Ali Brothers from opening business
in Mashad appears to me to he somewhat significant.
69. Turning my back on Seistan on the 18th March, I reached Nushki on
the 30th April without any incident worth of record having occurred, and I
brought a tour, which had extended to a distance of nearly 1,300 miles, to an
end in Quetta on the 28th May 1901. My prolonged halt at Nushki was due
to information having reached me that a party of Damani had raided some
pilgrims, who were on their way to Mashad, near Sahib Chah, killing one man,
wounding three others and carrying off money and property to the value of
Rs. 3,000. I have referred elsewhere in this report to the disturbing effect
which 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. Sir Nauroz Khan’s new fort t at Zawag has had on the
inhabitants of Sarhad. As the raid, I refer to, is directly traceable to the erec
tion of this fort,| I would submit the expediency of taking early action in
regard to it to preclude the recurrence of similar outrages.
60. In previous reports I have urged, on political grounds, the importance of
extending my annual tour to Seistan. Now that an English Consul is permanently
stationed at Nasratabad, the capital of Seistan, there would no longer appear to
me to be any absolute necessity for me to cross the frontier,§ and I would submit
that the time I have hitherto devoted to the trans-frontier portion of the winter
tour can be more advantageously employed, next winter, on a visit to Khwash,
the capital of Sarhad, and to a tour along the Perso-Baluch frontier. The recent
visit which Monsieur Zarudni paid Sarhad and his march down the Perso- Babich
frontier to the sea has had a disturbing effect on the tribes which inhabit Persian
Baluchistan, and I think that a tour to the frontier would supply the best means
of neutralizing the intrigues which there are very good reasons for supposing that
Monsieur Zarudni has set on foot. Our Consul in Kirman has been kind
enough to invite me to meet him next cold weather in Narmashir, to the east
of Kirman, but this matter is one which I must leave to the decision of Govern
ment.! I * §
# I have discussed this matter at some little length in my diary No. 296, dated 30th March 1901, for the week
ending 24th March 1901, to which a reference is requested.— F. W.
f Vide paragraph 47 above.— F. W.
X This has received corroboration from several sources, but the confession of Saleh Mohamed, the leader of the
robbers who has come in and surrendered to me, tends to remove all doubt on this score if, indeed, any doubt previously
existed.— F, IV.
§ It is of course possible that if I do not cross the frontier into Seistan this year the Persians may regard this
as a diplomatic triumph for the Russians. Vide His Britannic Majesty’s Minister at Teheran, No. 58, dated 12th
April 1901, to the address of His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.—.F. W.
jj Major Sykes, who extended me the invitation, is now serving in South Africa. F. W.