Coll 28/28 ‘Persia. Perso-Baluchistan Frontier. Demarcation near Mirjawa.’ [‎42v] (95/658)

7 The Persian version of the above clauses, to which the British and
Persian Commissioners attached their signatures, reads somewhat differently,
“ From pillar 11 to the north the Bud-i-lalab has been fixed as the
boundary to the junction of the Bud-i-Mirjawa, and from that piace, in a
straight line to the nearest peak of the Mir awa range which is the limit of all
the !raina“ e from the north, to the Bud-i-Mirjawa, and from that place from
the top of the peak of the Kacha Koh being drawn from toe direction of the
north P will ru/ to the end of height of the point of Kacha Koh and from that
place being drawn in a straight line it will run to the highest point of the
Koh-i-Malik Siah ” . A , ,
8. The Persian definition of the boundary by itself is unintelligible; but
we must remember that a signed map was given to the Persian Commissioner
illustrating the boundary.
9 The English version is intelligible, if we assume that, as shown by the
Agreement map, by the Mirjawa river the Dar-i-Gbiaban is ^anb It there
is any Miriawa river at all, it would appear to be the stream that flows down
froiAadis 3 , and in that case the boundary line would take off on the west bank
of that river, and any attempt to reconcile its course onwards with the definition
becomes hopeless.
10. Assuming that by the Mirjawa river the Dar-i-Ghiaban was meant, and
that the junction of that river and the Talab river is the point where the Talab
river first begins to be called by that name, there is no difficulty m tracing a
boundary line on the map in accordance with the English version of the bound-
ary Agreement.
11 It will simplify further explanations to draw this line forthwith, in
blue, on an accurate map,* i.e., Government of India, North-West Trans-Frontier
map of 4 miles= I inch, sheet No. 14 N.-W., dated May 1902. This bine line,
from the junction of the Mirjawa and Talab rivers, a point to be decided here
after by local investigation on the spot, runs along the watershed from some
point abreast of Mirjawa, as follows :
Through peaks 5998 and 5813, leaving Gnrandi and Bug springs on the
right. Thence, in a curved course to peak 6977, and onwards in a figure of S,
leaving peak 7157 and the Mazawad and Bagh springs on the right, and Shorab
Pass on the left, it passes through the Bagaiwad Pass to Peak 7033. Thence,
turning north-east, it runs to peak 7714, which is the highest peak of Kacha
Koh. Prom here, according to the definition, the bine line of boundary runs
straight to the highest point of the Koh-i-Malik Siah, i.e., peak 5392, on which
boundary pillar No. 186 of the Baluch-Afghan boundary is erected.
12. Prom the highest peak of Kacha Koh, to near Mirjawa, the boundary
line, as*thus drawn, calls for but little remark, and is unobjectionable in itself.
Near Mirjawa, however, it presents difficulties, for the straight line from the
junction of the Mirjawa and Talab rivers “ to the nearest point of the water
shed” is very likely to bring our Padaha post and well within Persian territory.
There is considerable danger of this being the case, vide paragraph 29 below.
13. From the highest peak cf the Kacha Koh onwards, the boundary line,
as above drawn, is open to serious objections—
(1) It runs too close to onr post at Bobat to be convenient. The fort
and spring are only 423 yards within British territory.
(2) It brings within Persian territory a valuable alternative route to
Bobat via Kacha and Bug Thanas and the Piran Spring.
(3) It brings the boundary line inconveniently close to the trade route,
and includes in Persia several neighbouring springs of water in
the valleys running down to that route, which would afford
facilities to raiders and robbers.
(4) Moreover, it may some day be of great advantage to us to own
these upper valleys, in order to furnish British Officers and
• I attach a copy of this map with the boundary lines referred to in this Memorandum drawn thereon.
A. H. McMahon,