'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎23v] (51/131)

34
• -vrnv the Russian news- writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. was ordered by the Russian
At 9 p.m. on night 31st 4 . y, xr„. vs . wr ;t er being unable at the time to procure same,
officer to bring him a y ou “^, ! 4,oman 'c i e gerv ant The girl was accordingly sent with some
made arrangements to send his ® ached there, the Russian officer, who was walking
things as excuse to the , ’ u jtT s goinT?o d,ag her upstairs, but the girl shrieked loudly 8 ,
in the compound, caught ", several men lumped over the wall and saw the officer
and neighbouring people being alarmed, seveial men j i-
—in flagrante delicto —, ,, , . , ,
The Russian news- writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. was taken before the Mujtahid (head Mulla), who having heard
the Russian o«e„ did „„t l,.v, tl,
"rotlJ.d «,= ""'d '* ‘“''I to punish h™ uoeonli.g to th.
^ Shariat ” Muhammadan laws. ....
12 . It is further reported that the following day the officer had submissively requested the
head Mulla to let him stay four days more. ...
,3 A i ao reported that officer bad sent Russian news- writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. to the Sartip complaining
against'order of Mulla, and stating that he had put up an entnely fa se case.
The Sartip’s reply was to the effect that the case lay withm the powers of the Mulla, who
was absolute authority in the matter and he could not inter ere
14 This affair has caused great indignation amongst the people and the priests are
horrified at the action and outrage of their religious teachings by violation of this girl by
European officer. Both the Mullas and the Sartip, as also others, have compared the strict
observance to all orders by men of my party who were left here in camp during my tour, and
obeyed to the letter all injunctions laid down during my absence-ne.ther to visit bazaar,
accept invitations, nor in any way interfere with people.
15 The Sartip and his mother even sent next day to tell the English officer he could
have ali supplies and whatever fruit, vegetables, etc., be wanted free from the garden (Govern-
ment). Coincident with the waning of Russian prestige ours has arisen, and this case will
have a lasting influence amongst inhabitants all over the country.
16. It is reported that the Zil-es-Sultan has been ordered by His Imperial Majesty the
Shah to attack the Afghan frontier, and thus reprimand the Amir foi murders of Hazaras.
Report says the Russians have promised to ally Persia on the condition that Herat and
Kandahar would be annexed with Russian boundary afterwards.
17. The preseuce of Russian tents at Twisk south of Farrah, as also at several places
from Turuk to Koh-i-Kawar near Bunurud, is repoited.
18. They are stated to be placed there as quarantine in connection with plague; have
sent a man to prove veracity of report.
19. All classes of Baluch are staunch allies of the British and inwardly hate and despise
Persians and never give Russia a thought. They even now fondly believe we in a measure
own this part of the Shah's country; they are invariably to be trusted and relied on, will
carry out any duty imposed on them, even under the greatest risk. I have in my camel train
the relations of Darwesh Ali Khan, who was murdered at Tabas and who first gave me a
history of the murder; these men have been invaluable to me since X employed them,
20. Sartip Ali Akbar Khan, Governor of Tabas and Seistan, is reported to have lost the
Governorship of Tabas, and likely to lose Seistan also, consequent on murder of Darwesh Khan,
If this be true, trouble is predicted in Seistan,
21. No communication since arrival has, up to date, reached me from Meshed, though
I wrote two test letters to see if they would reach Colonel Yate. I dare not trust any com
munications, as post is all tampered with. Unless I do hear soon, I shall have to proceed
myself to Meshed when coast is clear and Russian officer gone. Am now running short of
money.
22 . Some 20 Hazaras came to me to petition British Government to influence Amir of
Afghanistan to have some of their people released, who are imprisoned and detained in Kabul ;
these escaped last year.
Dated the 8th June 1897.
23. Russian dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. from Birjand has mysteriously disappeared for five days when it was
due. Russian messenger, who just returned from Birjand, has told us it left there six days
ago, and even dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. runner is not to be found. Great anxiety in Russian camp in conse
quence.
24. Locusts, a terrible pest in here now, seen in clouds over fields and plain; they
regularly strip the trees in gardens quite bare, and had it not been that crops are harvested,
would do serious destruction.
25. Russian officer and party marched out this evening at 6-30 p.m., destination Birjand,
where he will remain for present awaiting orders.
The 8th June 1897 9
(Sd.) G. W. BRAZIER-CREAGH,
&urgeon~Major%