'Military Report on Persia' [‎26r] (56/134)

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The population of Sistan consists of the sedentary p opu ] a _
inhabitants of villages, and of nomads. The total tion.
number is estimated at 100,000. It represents a variety
of tribes or clans, of very mixed race, poor physique,
and of no military value. The borders of the Naizar and
Hamun-i Helmand are peopled by a tribe called Sayads,
who gain a livelihood by netting wildfowl, in the pursuit
of which they employ rafts, called tut ins, made by tying
together bundles of reeds. A large percentage of the
population consists of Baluchis.
Wheat and barley are grown in considerable quan- Ttesources.
tities in Sistan, and are exported to Kain, Kerman, and
Baluchistan, to the extent of some 18,000 tons annually.
The ground is very fertile, and the supply of water is
ample, but the methods employed by the Sistanis are
so primitive that the natural resources of the country
are not turned to the best advantage. The manufacture
of ghi (clarified butter) is also an important local
industry.
The following is a recent estimate of the animal Animals,
resources of Sistan :—
Horses
1,000
Camels -
2,140
Donkeys -
9,700
Cattle
- 48,000
Sheep and goats
- 250,000
Mules are not bred or kept by the native population.
The present Governor, or Hashmat-ul-Mulk, is the Adminis-
eldest son of the late Amir of Kain, of which district tration.
Sistan is, for administrative purposes, a sub division.
The transfer of the Customs administration to the
hands of Belgian officials {see p. 89) has deprived the
Hashmat-ul-Mulk of much of his former influelice, his
power being considerably curtailed by the consequent
reduction of his revenue. For further details, see “ Notes
on Persian Sistan 1903,” and Military Report of the
Nushki-Chagai-W T estern Sinjarani Country, 1904,” l oth
compiled in the Intelligence Branch, Simla.
i 33481. C