'Notes on Persian Seistan' [‎40r] (84/142)

j
NOTES ON PERSIAN SEISTAN.
69
This accounts for the unkempt and uncared-for appearance of Seistan
generally^ for the absence of trees, and lack of well-built houses.
The only exception is the property of Agha Mir Say id AH, the chief Say id
of Seistan. Secure in the tenure of his for which he pays no taxes, and which
cannot be touched by the local Government, he devotes his spare time to
superintending the cultivation of the tract of land between the villages of
Khalikdad, Kala-i-Kohna, Aliabad, and Luf. Here, alone in Seistan, can be
seen fields regularly laid out, well-irricrated, nnd free from tamarisk and sand
drifts, and, in short, resembling the cultivation[of civilised countries. It forms
a striking proof of how fertile Seistan would soon become, if the laud were
better administered.
The cultivation is classed under two main heads, the one termed
(t Sufidbar/'’ signifying wheat and barley
only, and the other “ Sabzbar,” which in
cludes all other products, chief among which
Cultivation divided under two
heads; Sulidbar and Sabzbar.
jawari, and a few
are cotton, opium, melons, “ mash/" tobacco, millet,
vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, onions, etc.
Sowing is usually begun in November, the first seed to be put down being
wheat; this operation extends until late in January, when the sowing of
barley is commenced, which continues until about the end .of February. °The
proportion of wheat to barley is said to be about three to one. Operations
are then suspended until the Persian New Year, or Naoroz, which falls on the
21st of March, after which the various kinds of “ Sabzbar” are sown, cotton
and melons being the first.
This lasts until the end of May, and in the beginning of June reaping
commences.
The ploughman or cultivator does not himself reap his crop, but employs
Daraogar or reaper. a “ daraogar ” ‘ or reaper, who after cutting
twenty handfuls for the owner of the corn, is
allowed to cut and lay aside mie handful for himself.- The operation of reap
ing usually lasts for about six weeks, when the reaped corn is collected in
open spaces near the village, called “ Ja-i-Kharman,” or “Place of the
harvest,^ and surrounded by a rough fence of tamarisk known as “ting/"
Here it is left untouched, watched over by the “ Mishkar ” or “ Watcher ”
appointed by the Government, until the “ Sar Mushrif ” comes to the village,
and puts patches of mud over the mounds, on which he places his seal.
There are four / Sar Mushrifs” or Head Agents in Seistan, one for each
district, the Nahrui and Sharaki “Mahals"" being counted as one. Under
these officials are the Mushrifs or sub-agents, of whom there is usually one
for every five ploughs throughout the country.
When the corn in the whole of a “ MahaU" or district is notified as
ready to be assessed, the “Sar Mushrif"" makes a tour of the whole, and,
with the “ Mushrif in each locality, divides the corn.
Tables shewing exact amounts due to each individual from the produce of
Division of harvest irregular. v V\^ l \ hVe Pleading, as the operation
or.dividing the corn is conducted in an irre
gular manner, and a Seistani, when stating the share of any person, will
generally add, “ and as much more as he can get.""
I he division of the harvest, or “ Kerman Kashi/" takes place much as
follows : -On arriving at the village, where the harvest is ready, the “ Sar
Mushrif"" proceeds to the partition, for which a “ kel"" or large measure, hold
ing usually six Seistani seers, or slightly less than one Indian seer, is used.
*
ill