'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎88r] (180/188)

TAR-TEP
territory it is impossible under present conditions for Persia to bring the land
back into cultivation.-' (C. E Yate.)
TARAKU (fort) —
A ruined fort on the Taraku Canal, said by tradition to have been the
birthplace of Rustam ; it lies 10 miles east of Burri wells. It is some 200
yards by 60 to ,120, the walls ranging from 50 to 100 feet high ; there
was a well in the centre, but the whole place was deserted and in ruins —
(a E. Yate.)
TARAKUN.—
A wide tract of fine, arable land in Afghan territory to the south of the
Seistan basin and of the boundary line, and west and south of Bandar-i-
Kamal Khan. It is studded with the ruins of villages, but has long re
mained a waste, on which graze the herds of Scistani and Baluch nomads.
The whole is said to be irrigable by the water of the Helmand, and of far
greater fertility and value than the lands of the basin, where fields and
villages are constantly liable to destructive inundation. It is, in fact, said
to be worth more, ».<?., capable of supporting a larger population than the
whole of inhabited Seistan. It is to the relinquishment of this tract that
the Persians object, and its possession would probably leave them little to
desire; for it would form a counterpoise in their hands to the advantages
enjoyed by the Afghans in the possession of the lands on the right bank, and
a counter-attraction to the wavering population. Up to 1875 a grazing
tax was levied from these lands; but this has since been discontinued.—
{Napier.)
TAUSI (on TOUK BALUCH) —
A tribe of Seistan, that corresponds with the rest of the * dihkans ’ of
Seistan. The name is supposed to be derived from the Arabic word ‘ tauk ’
a 'collar ’ or ' halter, 1 —in significance of their bondage. Amongst them
are representatives of different Baluch and Brahni tribes, and Mamasinis.
They are dependents only of the Sinjarani and Nahrui Baluch, and under
them enjoy a better position than do the dihkan under the Sarbandi, Shah-
riki, etc., that is, they are on a better footing of equality with their masters.
They have no possession in the soil, except as tenants under the Sinjarani
owners; and there are fewer restrictions on their liberties than is the case
with the dihkans. They are almost entirely employed as shepherds and
agriculturists. They know nothing of handicraft or trades, with the excep
tion of weaving and working the wicker frames of their huts. The few
trades they have need of are followed by the members of the dihkan clan,
of whom there are a few settled in the larger villages.—(f?<?/^K?.)
TEPE-I-M1RDOST; Elev. 1,250—
j," A halting place in Seistan, 35 miles north-east of Turshab and 34 miles
south-west of Sehkuha, on the road from Bam to Nasratabad. It is situated
in the Shela tract, south of the more thickly populated portion of the
province and at the same elevation. It is a desolate-looking spot, the water-
supplv being the only thing in its favour.— {Goldmid. Rozario.)
TEPE-I-SHIR SURKH—
A mound visible away to the west from Takht-i-Shah.—(C. E. Yate)
TEPE-I-NAMAKI—
A halting place where there are wells, 13 miles from Sehkuha, on the road
to Ned. — {E. D. Napier.)
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