'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎24r] (52/131)

No. 1257-C., dated Ziarat, the 13th July 1897.
From—-H. S. Barhes, Esq., C.S.I., Agent to the Governor-General in Baluchistan,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
I have tlie honour to submit, for the information of the Government of India a copy of
a Diary received from Surgeon-Major Brazier-Creagh, dated Nasratabad, the 6th June 1897.
Dated Nasratabad, the 6th June 1897.
1 . Russian offic©i here y 6 t, went on tour towards south last week, visiting 1 towns near
Sehkuha and along east, returning in my tracks.
2 . Preached stoppage of routes consequent on plague and frightened people much by
threatening them for having permitted a kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. to pass.
3. Have interviewed him on this head, as it is outside his sphere of influence.
4. His actions do little, if Jiny, harm, and any influence his presence here may be supposed
to have, is of veiy little consequence, and, by several actions committed, the Russian prestige
and influence are fast waning.
5. Rumour states he leaves here to-morrow for Birjand where he will remain.
6 . The presence of Russian tents at Farrah and north of it is reported, but as yet I have
not corroborated the veracity of report.
7. It is reported that Ali Akhbar Khan, Governor of Tabas and Seistan, has lost the
Governorship of Tabas for being instrumental in the murder of Darwesh Ali Khan near there.
If this be so, it will cause much trouble in here amongst the Baluch and Kaini sections'
former are much adverse to the present state of affairs.
8 .. 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. circulating all sorts of wild rumours anent advance of British
troops into Seistan.
9. Body of some 20 Hazaras petitioned me to move to have some of their people released
from Kabul who are imprisoned there, as Sartip here will not permit them to represent things
at Tehran.
10. The Chief of Naroi tribe having been forced to go to Tabas with 70 men, before
departure, claimed British protection in case any difficulty should hereafter arise.
11. Rumours are afloat that Persian troops under Zil-es-Sultan are ordered to attack
Afghan outpost on frontier to cause reprisals consequent on Hazara murders at Kabul.
12. Russians are reported to be at the bottom of all this, and have general influence at
Tehran with present Shah.
13. Communications with Meshed still cut off.
14. The importance of adopting suggestion as to supplies being placed at thanas along
route is important. Kafilas recently arrived ran short of flour en route. All along the routes
in Persia at each caravansarai supplies in small quantities can always be purchased from the
caravansarai-bashi or man in charge. Along our little inhabited desert tracks absolutely no
supplies can be got. One kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. just arrived, reports loss of a man near Amir Chah having
run out of provisions and water.
7th June 1897.
Russian dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. from Meshed has disappeared for past five days, no clue yet got, and the
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 officers camp in consequence. Hope
Colonel Yate has not written to me by it. Have not heard from him since I came in here,
though I have sent two letters saying I would like to communicate, if he sent reliable man to
me.
Locusts, a terrible pest in here, seen in clouds over corn-fields and in gardens; they strip
regularly bare the fruit and willow trees.
Lost a camel on 29th from eating some poisonous plant, and next day lost a horse cross
ing the Helmand river.
8th June 1897.
Russian officer left Seistan for Birjand this evening at 6-30 p.m.
(Sd.) G. W. BRAZIER-CREAGH,
Surgeon-Major, A.M.S.
No. 4, dated Seistan, Killa-i-Nao Camp, the 30th June 1897.
From— Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S.,
To The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
In continuation of previous communication ^o. 3, dated 7th Juue 1897, I have toe
honour to report further progress and doings of the Mission :
1 On 7 th June some 25 Hazaras arrived from Quetta at Sehkuha and appealed to me tc
help them to proceed onwards to Meshed on their pilgrimage.