'Report on the Baluch-Persian Caravan Route and Nushki, Chagai and Western Sinjerani Districts' [‎12r] (23/72)

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‘20. Seistan’s staple products are grain, ghi and wool. Of the former,
no inconsiderable quantity is exported to Makran, via Kqh-i-Malik Siah*
and is there bartered for dates, for which throughout Seistan there exists
a large demand. If facilities for carriage were to be improved, it is by no
means impossible that the future may see an extensive Perso-Baluch o> ra iii
trade called into existence. Last year, all agreed that prices ranged excep
tionally high, yet I purchased grain for from 25 to 32 sers the rupee. Before
quitting this subject, it is, however, my duty to point out that both Russia
and Persia will regard such a trade very jealously.
21. The system under which the export of such ghi and wool as find their
way to Quetta is conducted is somewhat as follows:—Towards the close of the
hot weather, several villages combine to form a kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. . They then load their
surplus stock and carry it to Quetta, where they obtain a load, generally,of indigo
and English piece-goods. On arrival at Nasirabad, their goods are disposed
of in open market, and the caravan is broken up, not to re-unite till the
following autumn.
22. OF my return journey, T have very little to say. I found that at
Drana Koh, Ido and his men had not been idle. To give practical proof of
their good intentions, they showed me a well they had "driven 32 feet through
sandstone and solid rock.
23. News received from Quetta at D.ilbaudin, relating to certain
dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. arrangements, made me decide on abandoning Galachah and re-stationing
the thana further north, either at Merui or at Gat-i-Barot, in a more
direct line between Amirchah and Dalbandin. I had long foreseen some
such change was inevitable, and indeed, in view of such 0 a contingency,
I had, when at Amirchah, caused a site for a well midway between Manzil
and Amirchah to be selected, and had given orders for the work to he put in
hand as soon as possible. I have since learned that these orders have not been
neglected. I must coni ess to having been, for two reasons, somewhat loth to
abandon Asadchah : firstly, because my Thanadar, emulating the efforts of
other Tbanadars, had constructed a very presentable, wall-engirdled buildino-
at the expense of much time and labour; and, secondly, because holding the
Galachah-Isa Tahir roads acts as a very effectual check on raiding Between
Amirciiah and Merui, the distance is somewhat great, and, to obviate this,
orders have oeen issued that a ehauki should now he posted at Manzil, a spot
which has the advantage over Isa Tahir in being resorted to by manv
nomad Baluch. ' . j
2 L I have provided Robat, Amirchah, Merui and I) alb an din with
Munshis 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. . These, in addition to their ordinary Levy work, have orders to keep
me fully acquainted with what goes on in their neighbourhood, the movements
of caravans, raids, etc.
25. Every thana is complete with a staff of guides, whose duties are to
escort passing caravans safely to the next post. At thanas where the soil ^-ive
•hope of success, seeds for gardens have been left, while all of them, without
exception, have been stocked with a modest supply of fowls and pigeons.
id. To sum up, from Quetta to Palbandin, the ro^d is safe and secure,
and the dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. travels regularly. Between Dalbandin and Amirchah, while
neit ier so secure nor in so advanced a stage, still I consider mv arrangements
will sufiice tor the present. Erom Amirchah to Koh-i-Malik Siah, the
distance unguarded is excessive, and anoth- r thana and chauki are much required.
My arrangements are now such that I trust in future alwavs to be able to
maintain an uninterrupted through weekly dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. .
27. No one who has traversed this route can fail to be struck with
the/marvellous facilities which the country between Nushki and Seistan offers
or he construction of a railway. Scarcely a single natural obstacle exists
to l)fir t ie roa ” ’ throughout, the gradient is exceedingly gentle ; hands of sand
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