File 1323/1916 Pt 1 ‘Baluchistan:- Disturbed conditions on the Anglo-Persian border. Future administration of Mekran, Sarhad & the Kalat States’ [‎313r] (623/896)

Revenue cases between the Gichkis and Nausherwanis and the
State would be heard nomtly by the Assistant Political agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and
"aib Wazir Minister. , but in these oases orders on appeal would be passed by
l^fii'iclf'igaat 111 sfter consu ltation with and the approval of the
. This system would •ensure the Khan the revenue which ia his risht, would
maintain for the Gichkis then- peculiar rights as joint owners with the Khan
of the country, and would give the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. that control over
them which is essential for the conduct of transborder affairs The only
apparent objection to this _ system is that it entails dual control, but this is
inevitable m all Kalat affairs,
28. The fourth system is, I take it, quite out of the question. It would
commit the Government of India further than it has ever shown any disposi
tion to go, and would cost at least a lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees a year more than is now paid for
the control of this border. 1
29. His Highness the Khan, whom I consulted on my return from
Khan’s Aosent Makran, readily agreed that the 3rd
i • • r , . . system v»as the soundest, as it protected
his interests, gave the Gichkis and Nausherwanis as much of the status of
feardars as is their due and gave the Government of India facilities for running
the frontier which be is not prepared to undertake. He also said that he
would be glad if the rules for putting this system into force were submitted
to the Council of State. The TVazir-i-Azam and I are prepared to draft such
rules at once should my proposals be approved. The system could be set going
without d^lay or friction and with the present sanctioned personnel of the Levy
Corps and the actual personnel of the Naib Wizarat.
The Chief essential is that, like the Mastung Convention, the settlement
should be arrived at by the mutual consent of the Government of India, the
Khan and the Gichkis, and should be treated as a formal constitution.
30. I attach a memorandum F on the external affairs of Makran, which
Makran External Affairs. aiG in a very unsatisfactory state, with
, .. suggestions for the policy to be adopted,
and a proposition statement for the Makran Levy Corps, memorandum G.
31.
I consider it essential that as senior an officer as possible should be
Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Makran. ^ aS p Assist aat Political
A • + X -n t;. 1 a Agent. For the first few years after an
Assistant Political Argent was sent to Makran the officer selected was of from
* ^^ aiS ?ery ^ ce - The amenities of Makran have improved since then,
a ?TiT 6 exis ^ ence a m °tor road to Panjgur which brings it within 2 days
of Mastung would enable the British Officers to recess at Kaiat and Quetta.
32. The increasing importance of the Nausherwanis of Kolwa and Bnlaida,
Kh the pretensions of the Nausherwanis 'ef
# ; an ’ of Kuhak (in Persia within a few miles
or the Makran Levy. Corps post at Grawag) who have certain grazing and
other rights in Panjgur, the jagir of the Nausherwani Chief of Kharan at
Khudabadan in Panjgur and his recent marriage in Kech all tend to bring the
Nausherwanis into greater prominence in Makran. Moreover the ^Assistance
given by the Bekis to General Dyer has made us morally responsible for seeing
that they do not suffer for their loyalty.
The condition of western Kharan is not satisfactory and it is necessary to
watch the Nausherwani Chief more closely than has hitherto been possible.
I propose therefore that the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. should be given the duty
of watching the frontier as far as the Mashkhel, and be trusted with the frontier
relations of the Bekis.
His duties could thus comprise the command of the Makran Levy Corps /LHL
preparation of Gichki and Nausherwani cases^ superintendence of the work of y
the Sarhaddar from the Sea to the Grawag defile and the superintendence in
conjunction with the Kharan Chief of the frontier relationships of the Bekis.
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