'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎13r] (30/188)

15
in general features, the country bears a marked resemblance to many other
parts of Baluchistan in the vicinity of Quetta. ^ t .
It is only between Tratoh and Makak karez, a stretch of 70 miles, that
anyth in £ approaching a waste is crossed. Even here patches of grass are to
be found in every nullah bed, and, as far as camel-grazing is concerned there
is sufficient for the requirements of caravans. After heavy ram, winch is
very rare in this country, the nullahs crossed by the route become raging tor
rents for a few hours, cutting away the ramps which have been made where the
road crosses the nullahs. The alluvial soil becomes so heavy and sticky that
camels can traverse it only with the greatest difficulty, but can generally make
detours by the lower slopes of adjacent hills. The water lies m huge ponds amongst
the sand-hills for some days after rain. The difficulties caused by ram are,
however, not only unusual, but very temporary. As a military road, this
route from Nushki to Rabat has many disadvantages, the chief of which
are the difficulty of local food and forage supply, and the badness of the
water, as already noted, at some of the stages. There can be little doubt
that both these disadvantages can be, and will be, modihed.
Its advantage, as a military road, is its comparative invulnerability on the
northern flank : for the Registan cannot be crossed by any large body of
troops and even raiding parties would find enormous difficulties in raiding
the track from the Heimand, and in arranging for their return journey
across the 50 miles of intervening waterless desert, it must be admitted,
however, that the strip of desert protecting the northern flank of the trade
route would, in a like degree, afford protection to the southern flank ot an
enemy advancing from the west along the Heimand valley.
This view, however, is hardly borne out by the following report submitted
in January 1U02, though it is hard to believe that any army would choose
this route:—
“ Boute for an Army to march from Sehtan to Nushki.”
Captain Webb Ware (who has been at Nushki and in the district for
live years and has studied the country) is of opinion that a force ot 10,0U0
mm with necessary camel transport could be . easily marched across the
south-west portion of the Registan desert by the following route:-—
Up the river Heimand to the point where the river bends to the north at
Kila-i-Nau or Baeat. Thence south south-east via Darwaza, Lakar,
Gilpusht, Kilkurdh, Chagai to Fadag. Thence to Nushki. Captain Webb
Ware is of opinion that they could obtain water and considerable supplies by
this route (the places quoted are from enquiries not furnished by him). Camel-
men, I have questioned about this route, hold the same views.
Shagul Khan. Lahazai Mamasani Baluch, is the head of the nomads of
this district of Registan, and his assistance would be of the first importance
for sucli ct march.
It is evident that, were it possible for such a force to cross the Registan
in a body, the trade route, or a railway aligned on the trade route, would,
in time of war, be a precarious line of communication for an army in the
field on the western frontier. . . .
In the vicinity of Kacha Koh there is ample water for a Oivision, as theie
is also in the Piran nullah. The Piran nullah is the furthest point westward
along this route where a Division could concentrate on account of the water
Owing to the absence of physical difficulties a railway line could be quickly
and cheaply constructed from Nushki to Kuh-i-Malik Siah. By this route