'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎20r] (44/386)

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Kerman to visit Nasratabad as British Consul. But though certain steps had
thus been taken to safeguard British interests in Seistan, the Government
of India had shown themselves averse from any active policy. At so late a
date as August 1898, in writing to the Secretary of State, they had referred
to apprehensions entertained in 1887 “that activity in the direction of Seistan
might lead to a forward move on the part of lvussia ,, ; and Itad given it as
their opinion that “ premature activity was likely to prevent or postpone the
future success of the new trade route ”.
Such was the position when Lord Curzon assumed office in January 1899.
In September of the same year, he recorded an important Minute which
reviewed the situation and clearly indicated the policy which he proposed for
adoption by the Government of India. The cautious abstention of the past
Lord Curzon advocates a more active no ^ nffected the designs of Russia
policy. or retarded their advance. Russian news-
writers had been established in the district, while nothing more than casual
visits had yet been paid by any British officer. While the Government
of India had postponed the opening of the Nushki route, the Russian Gov
ernment had already been at work laying their rails from Merv to Khushk, and
storing the material ready for a move upon Herat. The policy of abstention
from fear of Russian counter-moves, or of restraint in hope of Russian in
activity was one which Lord Curzon strongly disapproved. Already Northern
Khorasan was destined for Russian control. As far south as Turbat-i-Haidari,
Russian influence would doubtless dominate. But in the South, Seistan should
be included in tlie sphere of British influence; while the intervening district
of Kain might well form a buffer between the opposing spheres. Lord
Curzon therefore urged the Government to pursue a policy of constant but
unpretentious activity in fostering the trade route, and of steadily asserting
British authority up to the borders of Seistan and British influence within it.
A necessary condition of a prosperous trade between India and Seistan
was the establishment of an improved administration on the line of the caravan
route in Baluchistan. For a considerable distance after leaving the Quetta
district, the road lies through what is known as the Niabat of Nushki, a tract
which forms a part of the territories of the
The lease of Nushki. Khan of Kalat. Endeavours were made
to induce His Highness to adopt reforms. But little or no improvement
was effected; the Khan was conscious that his failure could not be condoned
indefinitely; and finally himself proposed that he should hand over the district
on a quit-rent to the British Government. The offer was accepted, and on
the 1st July 1899, a formal agreement was executed, whereby the entire
management of the tract, with all rights and privileges theretofore enjoyed
by the Khan, were ceded to the British Government in perpetuity m return
for a payment of Rs. 9,COO per annum.
The route itself was possessed of few natural advantages. From Quetta
to the Persian frontier at Robat is a
The Nushki trade route. distance of 463 miles, and from thence
to Nasratabad 100 miles. No road existed, nor even a demarcated track. I he
way lay almost entirely through desert country; for long stretches no water
was to'be found, and the wells which existed were for the most part brackish
and unfit for the use of either man or beast; the country was disturbed and
exposed to frequent raids by the lawless tribes of the Sarhad. No shelter
existed from the extremes of heat and cold, which added to the terrors of
the journey; supplies were locally unobtainable; the grazing was deficient;
and merchants and pilgrims desirous of travelling by the route found the utmost
difficulty in securing means of transport. The annual reports of the officer in
charge of the trade route from 1899 to 1905 record a steady and constant
progress in the removal or mitigation of these defects. A series of levy
posts now guard the safety of the road. Rest-houses and caravanserais have
been provided at all the principal stages; shops have been established; uells
have been sunk at intervals along the line of march; cultivation has begun
to spring up. Lack of transport is now a thing of the past. In return lor a
modest subsidy of £20 per mensem, a group of camel-owners has engaged to
answer all demands for transport; and carriage is now available at moderate