'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎50] (185/268)

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REPORT ON A VISIT TO KE.T; AND
REPORT on a VISIT to KEJ ; and Route through Mekran
FROM GwADUR TO KuRRACHEE.
Leaving Gwadur on lOtli September 1865, I marched for Kej by the
shortest route, which, several miles, leads nearly due north. An
other road, which, though longer, is also frequently taken by persons
travelling from Gwadur to Kej, leads in a more easterly direction, and
circling round by Kupper and Kolanch joins the first at the laiar Pass.
In addition to the Belooch sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. forming my escort, I was attended
by one Moola Doora, an Agent to Mir Fuqueer Mahomed, Naib of Kej,
whom the latter had appointed at my suggestion to accompany me. I
had considered it advisable that I should enter Kej conducted by a
person known to be in the Naib’s service and confidence. I found
that Moola Doora had instructions not only to conduct me to Kej, but
further to attend me to any part of Beloochistan I should visit. Being
an intelligent person and well acquainted with the country and inhabi
tants, I subsequently benefitted much by his advice and assistance.
My baggage was carried by camels—the only description of carriage
obtainable—or indeed which could be used in Mekran.
For the first three stages from Gwadur to the u Dusht’ 9 District, the
_. , road lies through a barren, almost uninha-
Gwadur to a Dusht.” , , , 9 P
bited tract. About eight miles from Gwa
dur a little oasis is passed named Nigor, where are to be seen a few date
trees and patches of cultivated land. Totally dependent on the seasons,
when rain is plentiful the owners of the fields sow and reap, but in dry
years the fields are neglected. After a ride of 8|- hours, having at 12
miles north of Gwadur passed through the Nigor hills, early on the
morning of the 11th I arrived at the spot fixed on for the first halt.
The place, named Tonk,is a little valley containing some fertile soil and a
small grove of date trees. An artificial bund, 150 yards long, has been
constructed, and in good seasons a little grain is grown. Two miles from
the halting ground there is also a field of Cotton. The supply of water
from a well in an adjacent nullah was scanty and bad. Two or three huts
were seen belonging to goat-herds who live in miserable poverty- There
is a sufficiency ot camels’ food and a little fodder for horses. The heat
was great, 110° in a tent, at mid-day. The lofty Daram hills bore
S. S. E. from my Camp, distant about five miles, and to the north am
other range was seen. From Tonk, which I left on the evening of the