'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎54] (189/268)

54
EEPOET ON A VISIT TO KEJ; AND
Next inorning (the 14th.) I set out for Kuntadar, a foit and village
also situated on the Khor, and about 12
Kuntadar. miles N. E. of Kohuk. The name is de
rived from a Belooch word signifying te trunk of a palm tiee. The road
from Kohuk lies along the left bank of the Khoi thiough jungle and
occasional Cotton fields and other cultivation. On a bend of the Khor
stands the mud fort of Kuntadar on an eminence ? and lound its base
are clustered some 200 huts. The headman of the village, Kowda
Dad Kerim, with whom I was acquainted, had gone on a visit to India,,
but his brother named Suleiman, received myself and party with cour
tesy, and the few supplies needful were readily procured.
From Kuntadar to Kej is one rather long stage. I estimated the
distance at 20 miles. Wishing to arrive at Kalatok early on the 15th
I left Kuntadar at 7 p.m. on the 14th. The road for six miles led in
•c
a north-easterly direction to a range of hills, which are crossed by an
easy ascent. The Khor flows through the hills further west, and is not
seen till near Kej.
These hills form the northern boundary of the Dusht, and separate
it from the valley in which Kej is situated. The latter valley deserves
attention, being a remarkable feature in the geography of Mekran.
From the eastern extremity of the province of Kolwah two parallel
mountain ranges extend unbroken to the borders of the Persian provinces,
, TT „ a distance of at least 250 miles. The direc-
Tne Dummok or Valley. . ^ , . . .
tion ot these two chains is, m general, trom
E. N. E. to W. S. W., and as far as my own observation enables me to
judge they preserve a distance between them of from 12 to 20 miles.
In the strut dike valley thus formed is situated the greater proportion of
the important places of Mekran, and it probably contains more fertile
land than all the rest of the eastern division. The eastern portion of
tnis valley for 60 miles is occupied by the province of Kolwah. Further
west a river enters the valley from the north, and turning westward
flows through the centre ; on it are situated Sami and Kej. Westward
of Kej in the same valley are Nusseerabad, Toomp, Mund, and Pisung,
all considerable settlements. As far west as Toomp, the whole of this
tiact is subject to the Khan of Kelat. The next large settlement west
of that is Mund, which is a sort of debatable land, being inhabited
by the lawless thieving Binds, who disown alike the authority of the