'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎56] (191/268)

56
KEPORT ON A VISIT TO KEJ AND
feature in the scenery- Karezes or artificial watercourses intersect the
land in all directions, flowing through the groves and irrigating the
fields which skirt them. Several forts and villages aie situated along
the banks of the Khor, but being concealed amongst the date trees are
not seen until close by, with the exception of the Miri, or palace,
which has a good elevation, fhe pimcipal places of Kej aie the
“ Miri,” Killa-i-Now, Gushtung, Turbut, Abser, Kahowe-i-Kalat, Sengi
Kalat, and Kalatok, each of which consists of a mud fort of greater or
less pretension, surrounded by a cluster of
iri
huts. The Miri is the most remarkable
and strongest of the Kej forts ; in former times the residence of the local
Chiefs of Kej, it is now appropriated to the Naib, or Deputy, who
resides here on the part of the Khan of Kelat. It is situated north
of the Khor, nearly in the centre of Kej, and built on a hill which
commands the surrounding country. Constructed of mud intermixed
with round stones, it would be incapable of defence against artillery,
but in Mekran, where cannon are rarely seen, the place is considered
next to impregnable. On inquiring the date of its foundation, I was
informed that it was built by Bahman, or Ardeshir, son of Isfandyar, of
the first dynasty of Persian monarchs, who, legend says, met his death
in Kej. Mekran I was told was a province of the Persian empire, and
the kings, on the occasion of a tour through their provinces, were wont
to cause some work to be constructed as a memento of their visit.
Thus in Kej two Karezes were shown me, which are named “ Kaoosee”
and <f Kaikhosrooee,” the construction of which popular account as
cribes to the ancient monarchs whose names they bear. Another
piece of information afforded me is curious enough, viz : that Mekran
was the penal settlement for Persian convicts, from whom sprang the
original Mekrani race. As I have been frequently told the name
“ Mekran” is from “Makar,” deceit, and means “country of rogues,”
perhaps the two statements may be matched together.
Two old guns, one a 32 pounder, both dismounted and useless, were
lying in the “ Miri.” At the foot of the hill is a village of some 150
wretched-looking habitations. Two Hindoos reside in it; the other
places in Kej will be further mentioned en route.
Mil Fuqueer Mahomed Bezunjoo is at present the Naib of Kej, and
Inhabitants.
exercises in the name of the Khan chief
authority throughout the Province. The