'Report on the Nushki, Chagai and Western Sinjerani Districts for the year 1897-98 and on the Development of The Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route' [‎13v] (26/148)

22
into Nnsliki, whenever lie received tidings that a caravao was coining in his
direction. I represented the matter* at once, but orders for his arrest did not
arrive from Kandahar until he had inflicted much injury on trade.
9. The defenceless condition of the Nushki-Afghan border here calls for
comment, in paragraph 13 (Appendix 1) of my report, dated 15th July 1897,
I brought the matter to notice, pointing out. that the establishment of a small
Levy post at some point in the vicinity of Chandan Khan Land was essential
to protect trade interests. The danger of leaving this portion of the frontier
unguarded has been several times forced on my notice during the past year by
the frequent thefts of camels from passing caravans and by several incidents of
a nature similar to that noted in paragraph 8. So much, indeed, was T struck
by the necessity of keeping a small post on this frontier that I drafted 7 of
Kaib Mulla Hussain’s Khassadar establishment to Chandan Khan Hand, with
instructions to establish a small protective post close to the tank, but the men
comprising the post inaugurated their arrival by levying “ Sung ” on the first
caravan which passed, so I was compelled hastily to order their withdrawal.
Again, so recently as last December, a party of 35 trans-frontier Barech
attacked a kajila within 8 miles of the Nushki bazaar. The marauding party
were only driven across the border after a sharp fight, in which my Levies
used their breech-loaders freely.
10. All Banias trading in Nushki have been supplied with regulation
weights and scales, and the weights and scales in use at the time of my first
visit to Nushki have been confiscated and destroyed.
11. With the permission of His Highness the Khan of Kalat, I have
devoted the sale proceeds of the Nushki Abkari contract, together with such
other small sums as have fallen into my hands through Jirga fines, to the
cons!ruction ot a Levy thana. This thana, when completed, will supply a
long felt want. L p to the present, the Post office, thana and havalat consisted,
collectively, of but one single room, in which Post Masrer, sowars and prisoners
alike lived, huddled together. On the completion of the thana, the trading
community, which is now scattered throughout the four villages which comprise
iSushki, will move to the vicinity of the thana, where an excellent site is avail
able for them, and it may he anticipated that this will shortly become a thriv
ing trading centre.
12. fhe Superintendent of Post Offices in Baluchistan informs me that
the start made by the Nushki Post Office in January last is satisfactory, and
that the lost Office has already become self-supporting.
13 The trade road from Nushki to Koh-i-Malik Siah has been improved
durmg the year under review by the construction of the five fortified thanas of
JNnshki Dfllhandin, Merui, Amir Chah and Robat Kila, bv the erection of block
houses f at most of the stages, by improvements in the water-supply obtained
)v sinking ^ wells, and lastly by the erection of pillars marking *the route
iroughout its length—a very necessary precaution. The sandy deserts adjoin-
f .''°” tler . for eight months out of the twelve are swept bv violent
Ihrse winds raise dense clouds of sand, which quickly obliterate ail
ace?* of passing earn vans. r L he necessity of marking the road was unfortu-
na el y too clearly shown bv the sad fate of a sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. of "the 5th Bo Jay Cava y
sm ar JJhlVrV 0 nr ’ " ^“"-Major Brazier Creagb in Scislan This
■ pai the penalty of ins rashness in separating from his guide bv lodir
ins way and perishing miserably from thirst. 8 • l0Sin '
have ia on exceeded " J W^lesert
« cMes. To frighten trader,, he made
stomach and thighs with a red hot iron. ° ‘ S merchandise » and of branding camel men on the face,
halting place and well. tache(1 fo1 eas} reference - Tlns m *P shows the position of each thana, block house,
X At seven different localities.
place midway 1
Prom the volca
composed for tl
of the hills tow
between the hi!
ing deep shafts,
inclusive, work!
without success
sandy sides cuvi
moist sand wa:
every expedient
discontinue the
regret, as all, dc
had worked wit
spot. It was cl
as, in addition t
miles from cam
in continuing th
to complete this
efforts were onL
15. The qi
the road direct f
The answer to
marches would i
would have be€
detour to the soi
hilly and so inte
for any road t<
clearly shown i
the map is at
country be twee
This same rema
Persian frontier
officer, be atta cl
more important j
icr unsurveyed i
16. One of
during the year
scattered along a
of Biluchistan,
supplies that my
Robat post, are t
ively. 1 am of <
on which the fur
* Vide Foreign Dej
ter No. 915 F., dated 1>
1898, copy received n
to the (Tovernor-Gen
endorsement No. 1240,
March 1898.
van could have p
established at Am
enable me to drai
materially oheape
marches distant
of junction whe
watered road fron
most important
pressing one, an
Government. Ti
are unobtainable,
high percentage c