'Seistan' [‎78v] (156/782)

4
This with an interchange of visits from the-Sarhang completes the reception
and there is no doubt that the Hashmat-ul-mulk and the entire country look with
pleasure on the arrival of the representative of the Indian Government, the more
so, since they see the sinister influence of Russia in their midst.
The Hashmat-ul-mulk is a man of about 50 years, suffers from rheumatism,
has a pleasant manner and-looks intelligent. He has travelled somewhat and can
talk of Tehran, Railways, etc. His son, the Sarhang, has been described betore, he
is very friendly but not brilliant i*n appearance.
Our conversations have at present been confined to generalities.
Supplies have been easily obtained, the people themselves bringing every
thing such as eggs, fish, milk, ete., and even partridges for sale.
To day, 19th, I have paid my first visit to the Russian Vice Consul, Mr.
Muller. There was some fencing as to who should pay the first visit, but he said
as he had paid the first visit to Captain Webb Ware, who was the first arrival, he
thought l should pay him the first visit, which I did.
He was glad to see me, as he is not happy here and the loneliness seems to
depress him, besides which, he is thoroughly eclipsed and only treated with
regulation civility. If it were not for the paramount influence of the Russian
Consul-General at Meshed over the Wali (Rukn-ud-Daulah) who is the Hashmat-
ul-mulk’s superior and who uses the Vice-Consul as a spy on the Hashmat-ul-
mulk, the Persians would show Mr. Muller no respect whatever. It is only
through fear of what he may write to Meshed that they tolerate him.
The Russian Vice-Cousul has hired or bought a house in Hussainabad
just outside the Nusratabad fort and just in front of my camp.
At first I thought he had an advantage, but now I am in hopes of turning my
camping ground to a great use by securing the ground as a right and soon of
building some mud domed shelters and so gradually establishing a good house
on what is by far the best site and land anywhere round.
I hear the Russian Vice-Consul wants to acquire land to start growing
crops and that he has already sent for seeds, etc. I shall do all I can to prevent
this. At the same time I hope to have a garden round any future building,
on the site my camps is, large enough to grow anything. A garden round a
house can be a very different acquisition to acres of land at a distance from
one’s house 1 The Russian Vice-Consul’s house is so confined that he could not
have a garden !
Building is very cheap here indeed, and for a few hundred rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. I could
build some good domed rooms and am going to do 'my best to be allowed to. I
shall start by housing the Hospital Assistant and then a small one for myself
to save me from the heat, which even now is trying. The thermometer is about
100 every day in my tent.
There are rumours that the Russians are attaching a European doctor to
their consulate, and that he will bring his wife here. Mr. Muller has given
large orders to Seth Sulaiman the Quetta shopkeeper here, to buy furniture, tents,
etc., for himself, his cossaeks, etc.
Later on, when the Political Mission of the Russian Vice-Consul is better
known, I shall have much to say on the political situation in Seistan. Whereas
in former reports the local politics of Seistan such as the rivalry between
the two brothers Mir Abakbar Khan (Amir Hashmat-ul-Mulk) and Ismail Khan
the Shankat-ul-Mulk at Kain have occupied most attention; the future politics will
be rather Russian intentions with reference to Seistan. From what 1 have seen of
Mr. Muller, 1 thmk h,m very capable and he is probably very well supported
through his Consul General at Meshed and his Minister at Tehran, which makes
him powerful though not popular. It is for us, before it is too late, to put forward
all our strength at the capital and at Meshed to thwart any coip which may
Teh^n h y r , m , als . th ™ ugh ‘he Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. of them influence both at
Te ran and Meshed,and. having done this, to be in a position, from the adjacency