'Report on the Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route, for the year 1900-1901' [‎13v] (26/32)

REPORT ON THE QUETTA-SEISTAN TRADE ROUTE FOR THE YEAR 1900-1901.
themselves that their indigo is unsuited to it, or whether it is due to their energies
having become paralysed by the series of misfortunes which have overtaken
their industry.
69. I recently reported * that I experienced considerable difficulty in
replying to all the enquiries which were being put to me on the subject of trade
with Persia in general and of the Nushki-Seistan trade route in particular.
Many of my questioners appear anxious to engage in trade with Seistan, but they,
very rightly, decline to do so until they are fully informed on every point regard
ing trade, and many of them ask for personal interviews. Answering questions
dealing with such a wide subject as trade in ^vriting is unsatisfactory in the
extreme. I would therefore solicit permission to tour Northen India next October
in the interests of the trade route. At the close of last year I paid a visit to
Shikarpur which resulted in the firm of Chaman Singh Ram Singh sending a
agent up to Seistan to open business there. As one of the common complaints
which Indian merchants make is that they cannot learn sufficient regarding
trade with Persia, 1 am confident that if such a tour, as I suggest, be sanctioned,
excellent results will ensue.
70. In accordance with the procedure 1 have adopted in previous years,
I give below a summary of the more important suggestions for the improvement
of the trade route which are to be found embodied in my report. I would most
respectfully venture to all attention to these recommendations, which in their
order of merit will be found to be as follows : —
(1) The improvement of the facilities for the carriage of goods between
Quetta and Nushki.
(2) The realignment of the caravan road between Tratoh and Saindak.
In the event of this proposal being favourably received, a grant f
sufficient to meet the cost of the work will be necessary.
(3) The stationing of a thana at Mushki Chah and the transfer of the
present Mushki Chah chowki to Amir Chah.
(4) The payment of a tribal service allowance to the Damanito minimize
the risk of an attack on the trade route from the west.
(5) A grant of Rs. 5,000 for improving and levelling the existing katcha
road beyond Isushki.
(6) An allotment to furnish the chapparkhanas and to provide five of
them with a small distilling apparatus.
71. In concluding this report, I desire to place on record my obligations to
Mr. Buller Hughes, First Assistant to the Honourable the Agent to the Governor-
General, for the assistance which he has given me on innumerable occasions in
the course of the past year. Mr. Puller Hughes, who is an enthusiast on the
subject of the future of the trade route, voluntarily devoted a large portion of
his spare time to working up the interests of the route by interviewing traders
and corresponding with people, both in England and India, whom he thought
were likely to take an active interest in trade with Persia. It would be difficult
for me to recognise too highly the valuable assistance which Mr. Puller Hughes
has afforded me or the services which he has rendered the cause of trade by the
Nushki-Seistan trade route.
* Vide my diary for week ending 24th February 1901.— F. W.
f My estimate for this work last year was Its. 5,000.—F. W.
ti. I. C. P. O.—No. 150 F. D.—16-11-01.—60.—J. Mamin.
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