'Seistan' [‎100v] (200/782)

field he will have at Birjand he should be able to prepare the way there for the
Consulate as he did here.
Jth August .—Sher Syad, a Pishln horse dealer, arrived from Meshed on his
way to Quetta. He had bought 7! horses. He makes a halt here of some
days before proceeding. He informed me that he had paid an export duty on
the horses of 13 krans a head, or about Rs. 4. As 1 believe that, under a very
old agreement dating as far back as 1823, the Shah of Persia allowed all horses
to be exported through the province of Pars, i.e., by the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports, free
of duty, it seems open to some question whether the Persian Government can
charge export duty on horses leaving Persia by Seistan. I have addressed a
letter to Colonel Temple on the subject, suggesting that if possible steps might
be taken to remove this export tax on horses.
8th August .—Received a sudden visit from 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 the
Mustophi to the Hashmut-ul*Mulk. They requested me to cancel the order
sending Hospital Assistant Abbas Ali to Birjand, on the giounds that he was
very popular here. I said I was sorry I could not alter arrangements already
made, and promised that Abbas Ali should return to Seistan after a short time.
Abbas Ali has recently married the daughter of Syad Abdul Kadir, a refugee
from Herat referred to in my diary No. 4. The Syad was doing all he could to
prevent the transfer of Hospital Assistant Abbas Ali, and I have no doubt pre
vailed on 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 to make this request to me. He naturally, being
a refugee, is glad to have his daughter married to a well-paid Government official
with whom he can live. I am not altogether pleased with the marriage. I think
that, at present, it is best that Government officials in Seistan and Birjand
should have no local ties.
8th August .—Seth Suleiman signed a bond empowering him to build a
shop within the post of Nasrahabad on condition that he should turn out if the
ground was ever wanted by the Persian Government. I have no fears that such
a step will be likely or even possible. Seth Suleiman has begun to build his
shop immediately opposite the “ Ark ” or the part of the post occupied by
the Amir. The establishment of a shop within the post is a great concession,
and Seth Suleiman deserves credit for the way he has arranged matters.
gth August.—7 \\q Customs official here visited me regarding the payment
of customs dues on some medicines which had arrived from India for Abbas Ali,
Hospital Assistant. 1 explained that the medicines were Consulate stores and there
fore free. The Customs official who has not yet received any orders from the
Belgian Syndicate for Persian customs, and who works according to his own rights
agreed as he always does to my settlement of the affair. There is no trouble here
with the Customs.
In the evening was the usual Gymkhana which was largely attended.
10th August.— Khan, the Baluch 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. , who has helped us so much
since our arrived here, and whom Captain Webb Ware has specially recommended
for an allowance, arranged with the Pishin horse dealers to supply camels erain
and bhusa to accompany them to Dawandin. The arrangement of carrying
grain and bhusa from here or the road, is found to be the cheapest and most
f ° r . S'W'y.'ng forage to a large number of horses travelling by
the Nushki road. The supplies along the road are limited. y
I have established at Girdi Thana a bania Merchant of Indian extraction. from among the Baluchis who
will supply gram and fodder for the new posts between this and Robat. ’ Girdi
Thana is the largest post house on this new line which I have built There has
been no oppos.t.on to the building of these domed rest houses. The Seistani
official never ventures into those regions, known as the Seistan desert and doe,
not care much what goes on there. The chain of rest houses and wells is not
complete between Quetta and Nasrahabad. 3 0t
Some of the sowars of my escort have been living in their tents since thev
came though I have been able to build them one room as a shelter from the
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