'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎53] (188/268)

ROUTE PROM GWADUR TO KURRACHEE.
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EOUTE FROM GWADUR TO KURRAOHEE. 58
Kohuk, where I halted, on the 13th, is a village of about 80 huts
Tr , . situated on the north bank of the Khor.
Konuk. * • •
A solitary little rocky hillock, the site of a
dismantled fort, gives this place its name. The inhabitants engage
mostly in agriculture, and though not rich, appear in comfortable
circumstances. Supplies may be had in abundance and at moderate
rates. I was met on arrival at Kohuk by Kowda Nnbbi Bux, the
Head-man, with whom I had been for a long time well acquainted. The
prefix to his name, “ Kowda, 5 ’ is a contraction, I apprehend, of “ Kod-
khoda,’ 5 signifying c< Master of a house, 5, or “ Magistrate,” or perhaps
“Squire” is the nearest equivalent in English- The principal families
in Dusht bear this distinctive name which, though originally indicating
a “rank” or position, has, by being extended to followers and retainers,
come to have a wider application, and the Kowdaees may now be in
cluded in the list of <c tribes,” or more properly “ clans” of Mekran.
There are other families to which the same remark applies, such as
“Moularee,”“ Baisee.” Nubbi Bux was for several years at feud with
Fuqueer Mahomed and Futteh Khan Gitchki, and on one occasion,
went to Kurrachee to petition the Commissioner in Sind on the subject.
For some time he held out against the Naib in the little fort of Kohuk,
and several lives were lost on both sides. Subsequently, Nubbi Bux
took refuge in Gwadur. I brought about an interview between him
and Fuqueer Mahomed when the latter was on a visit to me at Gwadur,
when the possibility of a settlement was discussed. The Naib insisted
on the dismantling of the fort of Kohuk as an indispensihle term, and
to this Nubbi Bux having reluctantly consented, he obtained in other
respects good terms. Fuqueer Mahomed performed his promises
faithfully, and has since received Nubbi Bux into favour and confidence.
1 hough the latter is now living in comparative comfort and aftiuence in
his own village, I doubt if he is reconciled by this consideration to the
loss of importance entailed by the dismantling of his little fort. The
central part of Dusht from Kohuk for some distance along the river is
immediately under Nubbi Bux, who is held responsible for the Khan’s
du es by the Naib. The inhabitants hereabouts are divided into
Dushtees and Kowdaees. I passed the day at Kohuk, receiving every
a ttention and courtesy. The heat was great (100° in the shade) and
towards evening a south-westerly breeze brought thick clouds of fine
Winding dust up the valley.