‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎69r] (136/949)

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converting them thus from a source of weakness, if not of a danger, to the
frontier mto loyal, reliable and useful subjects of the Empire, capable of furni hing!
f required, not less than S o,ooo troops or levies in its defence. In view rf
the strong and ever-increasing Afghan element in our Indian army it seems
strange that more use is not made of the admirable counterpoise offered by the
hardy and warlike Baluch and Brahm tribes. A most useful beginning hasten
made in the raising of the Mekran Levy Corps at Mastung, and if the result
proves satisfactory the exploitation of this promis/ing source of recruitment will
let us hope, be continued. '
H. L. SHOWERS, Major,
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. , Kalat.
APPENDIX A,
Copy of a Memorandum (by the late Major H. M. Temple, 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. in
Kalat, i88g )
In the present year the zamindars of Mastung have come to Quetta three
times, and have made a series of complaints both to the 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 to the
Agent to the Governor-General. Complaints of this kind occcur yearly. Dur*
ing the spring the Brahuis come up from the plains, and considerable numbers
of them settle in Mastung, where many of them possess lands which they cultivate.
Many also who have no lands, undertake labour such as reaping the crops, etc.
On the approach of the cold weather the Brahuis return to the plains.
As long as they remain in Mastung there are constant complaints against
the Brahuis. These complaints are made chiefly by the dehwars. These men are
for the most part zamindars in Mastung. They are the permanent inhabitants
and do not leave Mastung at any time of year.
The complaints are generally in consequence of damage done by the Brahuis
who loot the crops, rob the gardens, and steal property from the houses of the
dehwars. They naturally endeavour to obtain redress, but they are unable to do
so, because there is in almost every case great difficulty in tracing a lawless act
to any particular offender. The Brahuis live in groups of tents known as “ dhunis.’'
The dehwars cannot enter these “ dhunis ” to prosecute their enquiries or to
apprehend suspected persons. As were they to do so, they would he attacked.
In many cases they have traced the footprints of depredators, to a certain “dhuni”
but were unable to prove a case against any particular person Whenever the
Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. are applied to for redress they take refuge in the excuses such as their
inability to take action, because no proof has been brought against any parti
cular man.
Before Sir Robert Sandeman came to Baluchistan, the Khan and the Brahuis
were always at war with one another. The Khan was constantly trying to
coerce and punish the Brahuis, but he was not strong enough to do so effectively ;
hence the internecine strife which raged for about 20 years after the present Khan
succeeded his brother Nasir Khan. The result of the arrangements made after
Sir Robert Sandeman’s arrival in Baluchistan was the intervention by British
officers between the Khan and the Brahuis. Since the establishment of the
Baluchistan Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , the Khan has not interfered with the Brahuis. Were he to
do so matters would speedily return to the former disturbed condition which
was rife before peace was established in Baluchistan by the efforts of Sir Robert
Sandeman. As the Khan has now no concern with the Brahuis and as in cases
in which his subjects are concerned reference is made to us, the Khan cannot
be said to be in fault, as regards the present unfortunate state of affairs.
Ever since the Baluchistan Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. has been established the tribesmen have
been dealt with through their Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. . To enable the Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. to hold their
own in their own tribes and to support and strengthen hereditary position, they
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