'Report on the Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route, for the year 1900-1901' [‎13r] (25/32)

REPORT ON THE QUETTA-SEISTAN TRADE ROUTE FOR THE YEAR 1900*1901.
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imported has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. In 1898-99, 62 horses
were brought down. In 1899-1900 the number fell to 40, but in the year under
review it reached the large total of 408.* The average price these horses realized
although I understand that it was not quite as high as last year’s average, yet
was so good that the profits realized by dealers were handsome and will greatly
stimulate the trade. I am gratified to be able to state that, so far as I am
aware, no complaints were made by dealers regarding either the road itself or
the arrangements which had been made for their comfort. I trust that the
fact of so large a number of horses having passed down the trade road, without
a single casualty occurring, will silence those critics t who maintain that the
country through which the trade route passes is a desert devoid of grass, vegeta
tion and inhabitants, and that merchants who despatch goods to Persia by the
route incur very serious risks in doing so.
64. Several Persians have visited Quetta in the course of the year.
I think that this new departure should receive every possible encouragement at
our hands. In my opinion it should he our aim to teach Persians that they are
no longer cut off from India by impassable deserts, and that the Nushki-Seistan
route offers them a simple means of visiting India whenever they may wish to
do so. While the Persian is undoubtedly conservative, yet I feel confident
that, once he learns that the hardships of the road have been much exaggerated
and that he is always a welcome guest in India, every successive year will see
an increase in the number of our Persian visitors, much to the benefit of trade
and to the improvement of our political relations with the Persian Government.
65. Sartip Mir Masum Khan, son and heir-presumptive of the Amir
Hashmat-ul-Mulk, paid India a brief visit in the course of the cold weather.
The young Chief had long been suffering from a painful affection of the eyes
which threatened, if not attended to, to deprive him of his eye-sight. Saitip
Mir Masum Khan returned to Seistan in May 1901, much benefitted by the
expert medical treatment which he had undergone at Labore.J
66. While Mir Masum Khan’s primary object in visiting India was undoubt
edly to seek medical advice, yet he was also influenced by a desire to ascertain
what was to be our future policy towards Seistan. Bis Excellency the Viceroy
was pleased to accord Mir Masum Khan a personal interview in Calcutta, an
honour which the young Chief highly appreciated.
67. In my previous reports 1 have noted that a small trade in dates,
wool, ghee, etc., is carried on between Nushki and Persian Baluchistan. This
trade does not appear to have made any material progress during the course
of the year. Should Government give effect to their intention and station
Native agents Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at selected places in Persian Baluchistan, it is possible that the
trade referred to may look up, but I am not inclined to build much on this
occurring, as most of the trade of Persian Baluchistan gravitates, as it is only
natural that it should, to Gwadur.
68. In the appendix of this report which is devoted to trade I express
surprise that the indigo planters of India do not direct their attention to the
excellent market which Persia offers them. The introduction of artificial indigo
has dealt the indigo industry of India so severe a blow that one would
suppose that any new outlet which offers would be forthwith exploited. 1
addressed an Indigo Planters’ Association on the subject, some three years ago,
but the reply I received was not encouraging. Again, I influenced General
Wylie, C.S.I., when he was officiating Agent to the Governor-General in
Baluchistan, to address some planters, with whom he was acquainted, but
although he very kindly acquiesced 1 heard nothing further. Yet again last year
Mr. Buller Hughes, the First Assistant to the Honourable the Agent to the Gov
ernor-General, wrote to several of his friends in Behar pointing out the facilities
which the Nushki-Seistan trade route offerred for introducing their indigo into
Persia, but although he did succeed in inducing some planters to forward
samples of their indigo, yet the planters themselves appeared to be half-hearted
not to say indifferent. I am unaware whether this lack of interest is to be
ascribed to planters having studied the Persian market and having satisfied
* This number is correct and not that given in my diaries.—.F. W.
f Not only Natives.— F. fP.
J Sartip Mir Masum Khan returned to Seistan with two carriages which he had purchased in Lahore. I under*
stand that the carriages have reached Seistan without having suffered any greater injury on the way than the
fracture of a shaft.— F. W.