'Seistan' [‎78r] (155/782)

would ge* into trouble through the Russian Vice Consul, still maintained that un
less I could produce some orders he could not admit me into his country. Abbas
Ali also sent me a letter confidentially which the head Mujtahid had writ f en to
the Hashmat-ul-Mulk urging him not to commit the folly of preventing my entry
or of not receiving me. I still continued my march and flew my flag.
At Wormal, Abbas Mi met me and brought the following message from the
Hashmat'ul* Mulk viz., that if I would only send a copy of any orders I had it
would be sufficient to cover him In my difficulty I concluded that though orders
had not reached Seistan my appointment had been agreed to by the Persian
Government and sol sent the Hashmat^ul Mulk what professed to be a copy of
my orders and which was in reality a partial copy of telegrams received from the
Foreign such as “ Viceroy has decided to send you as consul to Seistan. You
will travel by Quetta accompained by an escort of native cavalry.”
When this had been written and translated into Persian with the Viceroy's
full titles, etc., Abbas Ali left Warmal and proceeded to Nusratabad to give the
letter and to make arrangements for my reception. This method quite satisfied
the fiashmat*ul-Mulk who at once ordered everything that was possible
for my reception. .
Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ahmad Din went with Abbas Ali to Nusratabad, while I continued
my march by slow stages.
On the 16th I reached Nusratabad. Two miles or more from the town, the
vSarhang Mohamad Raza Khan son of the Hashmat*ul-muik met me accompanied
by 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. Purdil Khan, Sarabandi, and about 30 to 40 mounted men. At the
entrance to the fort about 300 to 400 Persian Sarbaz were drawn up, etc. I rode
with my escort in full dress through the centre of the town within the fort with
an outrider in front carrying a small Union Jack on a lance.
Everywhere the people showed the greatest respect.
After passing through the fort I arrived at my camp, which had been pitched
on an excellent site, a far better site than any which had been previously allotted
to either Captain Webb Ware or Major Brazier Creagh. Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ahmad Din and
Abbas Ali had worked wonders here, two triumphal arches in red had been erected
and the whole camp laid out in paths with coloured flags on either side of the
paths. A full sized Union Jack was hoisted on my arrival and the Sarhang and
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. Purdil Khan and all the Kat Khudas who had been summoned for my
reception had the usual tea, Kalian, etc.
I mention these points, as by these marks of respect the Persian shows his
feelings towards the country whose consul he honou-s.
The eclat of the whole reception was a very marked contrast to that accorded
to Mr. Muller the Russian Vice-Consul. 1 hear that neither the Sarhang nor
Purdil Khan nor any mounted men went out to meet him and very few' people
took any interest in his coming.
I am also told that Purdil Khan informed the Russian Vice-Consul, at a visit
of ceremony, that if he flew his flag, he must do it at his own risk, that the Mullas.
of Seistan were against it, etc., and that if he did do so, he Purdil Khan could not
be responsible in any way for the safety of his person.
My flag, which on occasions is a full sized Indian Government one, has
floated on a 30 feet flag staff from the moment of my arrival, and the small flag
has been carried in front of me within the streets everywhere I have been and
not a dissent has been even hinted at.
The Russian only ventures to fly his on Sundays and has a very small one.
In the evening I had a very good display of fire works at my camp. The
Seistanis are adepts at the art of making them.
The same evening I received a very large “ Mehmani ” from the Hashmat-ul-
mulk two carpets, sheep, etc., this again was not done in the case of the Russian
Vice Consul.
On the 17th April, the day after my arrival, I paid a visit to the Amir
Hashmat-ul-mulk in full uniform, with the escort in full dress, and was received with
every attention etc., and the Hashmat-ul-mulk returned my visit on the day following
. 3