'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎36] (171/268)

Abt. IV.—MEMORANDUM o, ^OTBS o N MEKMN ;
TOGETHER WITH A REPORT ON A VISRl TO KEJ, ANI >
Route through Mekran from Gwadur to Kurrachee
By Lieut. E. 0. Ross, 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. a Khelat.
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Read before the Society, February 16th, 1866.
Mekran is that portion of Beloochistan which extends from Persia,
east to the frontier of Beyla ; bounded on the south by the sea ; the
Much or Wuhushtee mountains, and Seistan deserts mark its natural
limits to tlie north..
In early times, it is not unlikely that Mekran formed one of the
satrapies of the great Persian empire ; and though the distinct nation
ality acquired by the inhabitants is marked at the present day under the
name of Belooch, some traces appear in their language ot an early
affinity to the Persians-
That the Mekran Beloochees of the present time are a mixture of
very many different tribes, who have, at various times settled in tho
country, is not only in accord with their own traditions, hut evidenced by
marked variations in shade of colour, and physiognomy. This fact tends
somewhat to complicate inquiry into their origin. But one language
with slight variations of patois, is current throughout the whole region,
and this may reasonably be supposed to be that of the first inhabitants,
subjected, as it would be, to after changes. Assuming this, the simplest
plan would appear to be, to trace this language to its source, to arrive
at an approximate conclusion as to the origin of the root-race, A few
passing suggestions may not be useless on this subject, with a view to
further inquiry, the object being to propose the theory that the
Beloochee of Mekran, is, in point of fact, Persian, not the Persian oi
this era, nor a corruption of it, but a branch from an ancient stem,
carried by the first settlers from Iran into Mekran, where it has not
flourished, but become much changed, and still more rough, by the
adoption of barbarous words contributed by subsequent arrivals from
other regions. In support of this theory the following points a re
noticeable:—•