'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎19r] (42/302)

25
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4, and in stage 5 at 60 miles from Chahar Burjak it reaches the
Kuhak canal, also called the Rud-i-Seistan, which is about 60 feet
wide and 8 feet deep. This has to be crossed on rafts made of
reeds, of which there were only two available in March 28/2.
There is a ford, 5 feet deep, lower down. It is probable that all
these canals can be crossed in places by wheeled artillery, hut the
report is not clear about this, nor about supplies, water, fuel, and
camel grazing which are probably obtainable at all stages.
Seistan district is very fertile, and abounds in supplies. With
a causeway across the Naizar these supplies would be available at
Lash Juvvain, or in the higher and healthier district of Kala Kah.
17. Kala Bist to Khwaja Ali via the Ilelmand valley, length
128 miles, 11 stages. —The road follows the left bank of the Helmand,
and the country for the greater part is cultivated and level. The road
is in some stages described as being “ good , 33 but whether it is good
for camels or for wheeled transport is not stated; it is prob
ably passable throughout for laden camels, and perhaps for field
artillery. It is probable that supplies are generally plentiful and
water abundant.
Kala Bist is situated on the left hank of the Helmand about
2 miles above the junction of the Arghandab; from this place there
are two roads fit for artillery leading to Kandahar, 99 miles, and
one up the Helmand to Girishk, about 27 miles.
The following passages across the Helmand are noted on this
route:—
1. At Gudar Barhana, 16 miles from Kala Bist, a ford lead
ing to the cultivated and populous district of Zaras.
2. At Landi Wali Muhammad Khan, 78t miles, a ferry
where masah rafts are used. Here a road comes in
from Nushki.
3. At Kala Sabz, 93£ miles, two fords in winter, girth deep,
leading to the village of that name.
4. At Deshu, 105A miles, a village on the left bank, and
on the right bank immediately opposite is the fort of
Kala Khan, and a road across the Dasht-i-Margo to
Chakansur; here the road from Sukaluk comes in from
the south ; there is, therefore, almost certainly a ford
near.
18. NushJci to Nasratalad fSeistan) vift EJanach, Paniham,
Amir Chah, and Galli Chah, length 4.27 miles, 21 stages.—-'This
route passes through Baluchistan as far as Amir Chah,
stage 13 ; thence through Afghanistan to the 17th stage, and after
wards through Persia. It is fit for camels, and perhaps, as far as
the going is concerned, for wheeled artillery, but it would be
almost impossible to march troops along this road owing to the
long distances to be traversed without water. Under present con
ditions, in order to get to Amir Chah by the easiest way, the trade
route would be followed as far as Mirui. After leaving Amir
Chah water is found at Zeh at 19£ miles ; thence to Galli Chah, a
distance of 88 miles, water is only obtainable in small quantities
Route No. 7.
Route No. 41.