'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎23v] (51/188)

36
CHAPTER VI.—ETHNOGRAPHY.
The inhabitants of Seistan are, generally speaking 1 , a miserable race, very
dark-skinned, of wretched physique, small in stature and inferior, both
mentallv and physically, to the Persians. The Baluchis in the northern part
of the basin are inferior to the Seistanis, whilst those south-west of Sehkuba
are fine able-bodied men, intensely proud of their Balueh ox-i^in The
inhabitants, in spite of their renowned ancestor Rustam, are not warlike,
and very few carry arms.
The population has been variously estimated. Napier puts it at 50,i'00,
Brazier-Creagh 70,000 and the latest authority, (1900,) Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ahmed Din,
Head Clerk, British Consulate, Seistan, says between 80,000 and 100,000 souls.
It is almost impossible to give the Seistani tribes in detail with their
origin, as the authorities all differ. Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ahmed Din, in 1900, says the
most important tribes are Kaiani, Sarbaudi, Nahrui, Sahraki and Sanjarani,
of whom all have held sway in Seistan for short periods except the Kaianis,
who ruled it for centuries together. Details of tribes a:e given in the
Appendix. Kaianis and Sarbandis are Persian and Shia; the other 3, with
some exceptions, are Haluch and Suni.
Kaianis claim descent from Kaikobad, Emperor of Persia, in the remote
ages. Malik Gulzar Khan, Mohamad Azim Khan, and Malik Mohamad
Khan are the recognised leaders.
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Purdil Khan, Mir Jaa p ar Sharif and Mir Beg Khan are principal
Sarbandi Chiefs.
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ali Khan, Mir Mehdi Khan, Jehangir Khan, Mir Abbas Khan
are the Sharaki Chiefs. Many of these Baluchis are Shias.
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Khan Jehan is Chief of the Sinjaranis, who are the most
numerous tribe of all.
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Saiad Khan and Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Mohamad Ali Khan are the Nahrui
Chiefs.
The Nahrui are politically the most important tribe, as their chief
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. , Saiad Khan, is a brother-in-law of the Amir. A list of the tribes
in Seistan, according to Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ahmed Din, is appended in Appendix.
Prior to the Persian conquest the Suni form of the Mahomedan religion
was prevalent, but, since that time, many have gone over to the 8hia sect.
Dr. Bellew estimated that both sects were equally represented, but with a
tendency for the Shia sect to increase ; n<>w-a-days the majority are Shias.
However the bulk of the people are very liberal-minded, and religious
scruples sit very light on them, and they are ready to agree with the
religion of their immediate superiors. Their religion may be summed up in
the phrase “ Right is might.” To the Chiefs and educated this, of
course, does not apply.
The common language of the country is a corrupt colloquial Persian,
T with a mixture of Sindi Baluchi, Pushti-Turki and
Arabic words, but Persian is generally everywhere
understood.