'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎18v] (41/131)

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, ;t is 0 jjiy fair to assume that these figures would possibly hare been much
Wher but for the adverse influence exerted by Russian action, in blocking
thf trade by causing the frontier to be closed » on the plea of plague,” whereby
traders were afraid to send out kafilas and traffic practically came to a standstill.
The TChorasan and Seistan kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. season opens in August, and several large
caravans Sh for Quetta, Khorasan, Bam, and Jalk were inspected, by 4
before starting from the country ; steps must be taken to protect the interests
of traders and’counteract Russian intrigue, both m Khorasan and Seistan, if
” in ensure the rapid expansion of this trade which may be said to be
but in its infancy.
Future trade prospects .—There is a very large field open in tea alone,
if the Indian tea-planters and merchants bestir themselves and wish to
regain the trade with Central Asia which was formerly in their hands some
years ago.
As regards the future prospects of a tea trade—provided it be green, which
is preferred all over Persia—there cannot be a doubt. Russia cannot supply
the market; her tea is inferior, and it is said—possibly with a microbe of truth—■
that the bouquet of their tea is affected by the passage across the Caspian in
petroleum steamers. Against the expansion of our trade on this side the entire
weight of Russian influence in Iran is now being exerted. How strong this is,
may be gathered from the events narrated in this report.
The difficulties of the intervening route have been much exaggerated as
exemplified in my rapid return journey from Seistan, covering a distance of
579 miles with cavalry in 22 days. All along the return journey there were
not wanting evidence of contentment under the new rule, and on enquiry we
were invariably informed affairs were much more peaceable and settled even in
this short time since the acquisition of this territory by the Indo-Afghan
Boundary Commission.
The people appreciate and applaud the British Sirkar’s large expenditure
for their well being in opening up these routes. Lieutenant Webb-Ware, Poli
tical Officer, Chagai, is actively engaged in improving this route; thanas and
posts have been established, and many of the difficulties about water, etc., have
alreadv been surmounted.
I append herewith a list of the leading merchants in Seistan; these traders
were interviewed by me, and all the advantages of the opening up of these old
Khorasan-Sind routes thoroughly explained to them.
. They were exhorted to bestir themselves and follow in the foot-steps of
their forefathers who had travelled these routes in by-gone days under great
difficulties; British gold had reopened the high-ways and portals, and it now
remained for them to emulate the deeds of their fathers and revive the trade
with Central Asia and India.
List of leading merchants in Seistan.
Residence.
Name.
Daulatabad
S ikoh ,
Killah-i-Khona or Burj-i-Kkona
r
*!
I
l
( 1 ) Azghar Meshdi,
( 2 ) Mir Beg.
(3) Agka Qalah Ali.
(4) Sher Dil.
(5) Agha Ghulam Murtaza.
(1) Pasand Khan.
(1) Mirza Fakir Muhammad.
( 2 ) Karblai Ghulam Ali Beg.
(3) Syed Ali Agha.