'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎13v] (31/188)

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sand is almost avoided and stones for the ballasting of the lines are ready
at hand. Alignments for a railway or metalled cart-road would be nearer
the foot of the hills, and slightly longer than the present route, to avoid
sand and mud. An officer, who traversed the road from Nushki to Seistan
in January 1902, reports as follows
1. From Nushki a Division with cart transport could march to Padag
(64$ miles). Ample grazing for horses, mules or camels, to this point:
good road and abundant water-supply. After Padag road too sandy for
carts, and water insufficient for a Division.
2. A brigade with camel transport could get on to Dalbandin (123 miles
from Nushki) easily: plenty of grazing for camels and some for horses, with
enough water, but none too much.
3. From Dalbandin the brisrade could march to Mushki Chah (258$
miles from Nushki) by separate units, there being enough water for
a battalion and its transport everywhere, with proper arrangements, and enough
camel-grazing.
4. After Mushki Chah the difficulties are much greater. Except the
small supply of salt water at Sahib Chah, there is no water for 50 miles
when Makak is reached, and no grazing until Saindak is reached, over 60
miles from Mushki Chah.
For these reasons, added to its good wnter and grazing and defensive
situation, Mushki Chah would be a suitable place to hold against a hostile
force from Seistan, should such a force use this route, and not the Helmand-
Registan route.
5. After Mushki Chah troops would have to push forward in detach
ments, having not more than 100 camels in each party, to Kirtaka ( 431
miles from Nushki). Here there is plenty of grazing for horses and
camels, and water for over 1,000 camels. Also enough water for a brigade
and its transport procurable by a little work.
6. From Kirtaka troops could be pushed on to Hurmak (402 miles from
Nushki) by complete units at a time, as from Dalbandin to Mushki Chah.
Enough water for a brigade could be obtained at Hurmak with a little work,
and there is good grazing.
7. But from Hurmak to Lutak, over 70 miles, there is not water enoagh
for over 200 camels, and no grazing to speak of till within 20 miles
of Lutak ; so the force would have to advance by detachments to Lutak,
where the inundations are reached, and ample supplies obtainable from nu
merous villages.
8. Heliographic communication could easily be maintained between Kuh-
i-Malik Siah and Nushki. Stations being posted as follows:—
I.
Nustki, 80 miles, as crow flies to
Has Kuh, 141 miles, as crow flies to
Kuh-i-Sultan, 125 miles, as crow flies to
Kuh-i-Malik Siah.
Or, as an alternative—
II.
Nushki, 80 miles, as crow flies to
Eas Kuh, 80 miles, as crow flies to
Mirui, 62 miles, as crow flies to
Koh-i-Snltan, 15 miles, as crow flies to
Siandak, 66 miles, as crow flies to
Kuh-i MmKfc Mmh.