'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎70r] (144/188)

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KIM—KOL
structure^ however, is defective in having no spinal column, which causes
the work to overlap. The Mil, which is sometimes called the “ Pillar of
Kasimabad/' a village about a mile off, has many inscriptions in Cufic
character on its interior, is built of kiln-baked and glazed bricks, as
is also the fortress.
The ruins stretch from 2 miles east of Boli for many miles north-east up
to Jalalabad, where they are continuous with those of Deh Shaikh, about
9 miles from the Helmand. Sarbandis and Dikhans inhabit the place.
The ruins of Zahidan are the largest in Seistan. They lie to the east of
Nasiratabad and extend in a narrow strip for a length of 14 miles. The
houses were evidently of two or three storeys, and must have been built
largely of burnt bricks, as there are quantities lying about as well as red
tiles and bits of pottery and porcelain strewn around.
Taimur is supposed to have captured this city by the aid of the King's
daughter, who told him her father would never yield the town unless
Taimur succeeded in cutting off the supply of water which flowed from the
Helmand by a subterraneous channel. He accordingly dammed up the river
and the city surrendered. He then killed the daughter for a traitress.
The ruins are on the Hasauki Canal. Taimur invaded Seistau in 1383 A.D.
'Ihis is the legend that the villagers relate. Sixty houses, 26 cattle,
10 donkeys. — {Goldsmid ; Bellew ; Hoznrio ; II. I). Napier.)
KIMAK—Lat. 30° 51' 0", Long 61° 40' 0".—(5r!. John.)
A large village and fort situated on the great Kila Jat-i-Shekraki Canal,
about 3 miles from Burj-i-Alam Khan. Since it became Persian, it has
increased from a small hamlet to a respectable village. The surrounding
country is an undulating sandy plain. The hollows are freely irrigated
and covered with com crops, orchards, and vineyards. In these hollows
the ground is very heavy, and numerous little water-cuts run in every
direction. 'I he fort is a large square mud building, with a high octagonal
tower, and is situated at the south-west corner of the town, which runs
in straggling rows of houses for about 400 yards along the canal bank,
and is surrounded by crenelated and loopholed walls. The only habita
tions outside the walls are a few huts on the west side. About half a
mile beyond there is the clay ridge of Atashgah, running north-west and
south-east. It is so called from the ruin of a fire-temple of the Gabrs,
the ancient inhabitants. The bed of the cmal hy the towm is about 60
yards wide; but the actual water channel is only about 60 feet, and 8
* feet deep It is crossed by means of floats or rafts made of reeds, bound
together with tamarisk stakes and twigs. The raft is called ‘ tuti ’ and
the reed of which it is made ( tut.’
Toe population of this village is estimated at 700 houses. Most of the
inhabitants are Nahrui Baluchis; but there is a sprinkling of Persians
from Kain. The village possesses 54 ploughs of cultivable land, which yields
1.944 kharwars of grains (§ wheat and £ barley). The Government revenue
mounts to 648 kharwars. The village contains 700 houses, 65 cattle, 1,500
sheep and goats and 2 i0 donkeys. — {Goldsmid ; Bellew '> Rozario ; Napier ;
Mania Bukhsh.)
KOLAK -
A village on the Ruknabad Canal possessing 4 ploughs of cultivable
land. Government revenue 4 8 kharwars of gTvim.—{Ahmad Din.)