'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎12v] (29/302)

12
Boute No. 31.
tbp preceding one, on the way from Quetta to Nushki. In the middle •
range of hills the railway will have to pass through a gorge close
to Shekh Wasil, through which the river flows from the Kanak
plateau to the Kardagap plateau. But it is in the last descent into
Nushki where, owing to the steepness, the special difficulty comes in.
The water between Quetta and Nnshki is impregnated with
salt and is also scarce, but not so scarce as a casual traveller on the
road might be led to imagine. Between Kardagap and Nushki,
quite apart from the four well-known wells at Kisbingi and the
water in the Kaisar river which supplies Nushki, there are at least
eleven small springs or wells (not counting dry wells), all more or
less available for troops coming down towards Nushki, though
not all close to the trade route. Fuel is also a very important ques
tion, for the only wood procurable is the tamarisk which is found
in a few localities several miles apart.
General John Jacob, Commandant of the Sind Cavalry, ^
pointed out, half a century ago, how important was the strate- P
gical position of Nushki. Its geographical position in the break
between the Sarlat and Has Koh hills, at the point where the
general lie of the ranges begins to change from north and
south, with a sweep round to the east and w-est lie of the
Kharan hills; its position as the natural junction of all the
roads from north, south, east and west, but more especially of
all the roads leading: from the Helm and by the shortest way into
India; and, finally, its position on the flank of the defensive line of
the Khwaja Amran range ; all these mark Nushki as a place of
commanding military and possible future commercial importance.
2. NushJci to Ttobat ( Koh-i-Mafik Siah), length 372 miles, 20
stages.-—Hhe road leading out of Nushki next in importance to that
already described is the Nushki-Seistan trade route which runs west
ward from Nushki within the borders of British Baluchistan as far
as Robat; here it passes round Koh-i-Mhlik Siah and turning north
ward enters Persian territory.
This trade route is practicable for all arms throughout in fine
weather ; an ekka has, in fact, been driven along it, but it is better >
suited for camel transp >rt. For convenience of description it may
be divided into three portions,—1st, to Dalbandin, 2nd, to Mirui,
3rd, to Itobat. ' '
1st portion,—As far as Dalbandin the road passes through
country answering to the description usually given of it, viz.: “an
ideal camel country.” There is ample camel grazing, the going
is extremely good, the -water good at most stages, and, in the
course of a few years, there will probably be a considerable increase
in the amount of cultivation locally.
2nd portion .—To Mirui. This consists of only three marches of
moderate length. The going is good, the water from the wells
very fair, and there is sufficient camel grazing.
3rd portion.—Aluui to Robat. This 0 ]atter portion of the ^
route is in every way more difficult to traverse. Sandy ground
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