'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎23r] (50/131)

There is strong 1 grounds for supposition that should anything occur^ or plague appear
anywhere near, that cordons of troops will filter in here and elsewhere.
The idea hitherto very erroneously believed that British troops could not occupy the
country during the summer is quite a mistake.
It is not at all so hot here now, and we are not by any means suffering, though under
canvas.
Punkas quite unnecessary up to date. Nights very cool, days warm and very dry ; later
on it gets warmer, but only for two months I fancy.
The pestilential horsefly is also a myth up to date; all our horses are fit and doing well
with proper food, which was very scant en route, even though they are picketted out.
No. 3 (Secret), dated Camp Nasratabad, Seistan, tbe 7th June 1897.
From— Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S., on Special Duty, Seistan,
To—The Secretary to the Goverument of India, Foreign Department.
I have the honour to submit herewith a summary of events, in continuation of my letter
No. 2 , dated 23rd May 1897.
Dated the 7th June 1897.
1 . On 26th May, it was reported that Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Muhammad Sharif Khan, of Farrah, had
been murdered by His Highness the Amir. A week ago his corpse reached Farrah for burial.
About a month ago the corpse of Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Maula Dad Khan, Governor of Farrah, had also arrived
from Kabul.
2. Rumour states both men have been poisoned under the Amir’s orders for mistakes in
accounts. These two murders have caused great sensation on the frontier, as the Sardars were
influential and much respected, and people say now His Highness the Amir is not a friend even
to his own sect—Sunni—to which these men also belonged.
3 . On 27th May, the Russian Medical Officer left here for a tour round south-east vii
Sehkuha.
The same morning on hearing this I went on tour due east to the Helmand, and worked
south along the line he had come. His visit was a hurried one, and he turned up at the same
spot on the bank of the Helmand where I was in camp, early on the morning of 30th. He
affected much surprise at our meeting. The Medical Officer would not halt, but proceeded on
to Banjar by which I had come.
4 . I crossed the Helmand and visited all the frontier towns—Milak being important as
centre of trade route from Bokhara via Herat, Sabzwar, Farrah, and Seistan. A kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. had just
passed through to Sehkuha before my arrival a few days.
5 . The bed of the Helmand has for the last two years altogether changed. Formerly
the river took a bend 2 miles south of Milak and flowed north by east. It now flows straight
on west of Milak, cutting off several villages, and the old bed contains but little water.
6 . Lost a horse crossing the river which is now in high flood. Visiting other towns of
importance, seat of merchants and trade. I returned to Nasratabad on 4th June 1897.
7 Durino* this visit all the merchants and officials came to salaam to me, and some con
trary to order 'came secretly at night. I pointed out to all parties concerned the steps taken
hv the British Government now to open up routes, which gave general satisfaction to all, and 1
have reason to anticipate that a lot of the trade that has hitherto passed along from Northern
Afghanistan via previously noted routes through Seistan on to Bandar Abbas via Nasratabad
and Bam will nest cold weather find its way to Quetta.
8 At Killa Nao, I found a Baluch kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. from Jalk, which had been with Farrah traders
nq far as the Helmand ford, and were now carrying grain hack. Also found here some of a
ZZ of 25 Hazaras who had arrived eight days back from Quetta, two being time-expired
£en of 26 th Baluch Regiment. Inspected them and placed them under quarantine restrictions.
They were all found to be fit and hardy after 40 days' tramp and no sign either of disease or
Q 3 " These are the parties anent whom the Russian Medical Officer threatened local officials
and neonle A large assembly of all parties concerned headed by Kad Kuda and some 18 mer
chants visited me, to whom I pointed out that our interests were pure y commercial as far as
Wan was conceited, and that the Indian Government would see that those interests were
no fnteXed with. The routes had been closed, but I had every reason for stating that
they would again be opened in a short time etc,, etc. : this put a different aspect on affairs,
and they were much pleased and satisfied on all heads.
10 On return I communicated with the Sartip and head Mulla who were unanimous in
expressing satisfaction at what I had done, even in face of oppos.tion from Na.b-ul-Hukmat,
who is in all things a staunch ally of Russia. ...
11 On 4 th June immediately on our return, we found considerable excitement prevail mg
amongst the people of Nasratabad, and the following report corroborated by Mulla Muham-
mad Rahim was made to me.
1G&S F. D.
E