'Military Report on Persia' [‎29r] (62/134)

39
The revenue of Persian Baluchistan, as collected in
1902, amounted to over Id,000/.
There are 14 Government forts in Persian Baluchi
stan, of which the principal are Ladis, Bampur, Fahraj,
Aptar, and Isfaka. The walls are of mud, and incapable of
resisting modern artillery. The garrison of the province,
called the Army of Kerman, consists of 1,100 cavalry,
2,400 infantry, and 24: guns, mostly unserviceable. In
addition to the Government forts there are many others
belonging to the various tribes which inhabit the district,
in fact almost every village may be described as a mud
fort. The climate along the coast is extremely hot and
unhealthy. Malaria and diseases of the eye and skin
are prevalent. The inhabitants of this portion of the
province subsist almost entirely on fish, a fact which is
mentioned by Herodotus.
The principal towns, &c., are:—
Ladis .—The principal village in Sarhad. Contains
about 60 houses and a small fort. Is situated
in a well-watered, fertile district.
Kasrkand .—Population about 1,500. A large
village in Sarbaz surrounded by date groves.
Bampur. — The capital of the Bampur district.
Population about 2,500. An important road
centre, and a Persian fort. The usual garrison
consists of 50 cavalry, 50 artillery, and oOO
regular infantry. The fort is incapable of
offering serious resistance to modern <>uns. The
climate is unhealthy and the water supply
indifferent.
Qe/i .—An important village of about 600 huts.
Believed to have formerly been the capital
of Mekran.
Chahbar.—{See p. 44).
G wetter .—{Sec p. 45).