'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎24v] (53/131)

36
2. On 8th instant I inspected seven of the party, the others bad dispersed into the %
surrounding villages. „
3. This party had been 40 days on the road, had tramped all the way, and were all fit
and free from any ailments.
4. This was the party the Russian oflicer had caused the trouble about during his visit
to Sehkuha mentioned in last letter.
5 Reported to authorities my inspection, mentioning to the Mulla that they might be
nermitted to proceed; objections on part of officials raised, but the bead Mulla supported my
renresentations, and told Sartip and others what 1 maintained was quite evident, viz., that any
one who had gone through 40 days’ severe trials and hardships in this weather, walking
all the way from Quetta, had been practically 40 days in quarantine and could not communi-
cate disease.
6. The men I learn were permitted to proceed after a few da} 7 s detention,
7. Another kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. from Quetta (Baluchis) and also one from Jalk arrived at Killa-i-Nao
who were also inspected and found fit; these were not interfered with, the Russian officer
having left the country.
8. The Russian officer’s dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. has not yet been recovered, nor has there been any trace of
the dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. runner.
9. The officer, I learn, is to remain at Birjand for an indefinite period.
10. The Russian tents reported as being seen near Farrah have turned out to be those
of Afghan troops recently arrived, some as increase to the garrison, and the others for purpose
c£ conveying the families of Syed prisoners to Kabul.
11. Some 25 Hazara Syeds of the same party, who had escaped into Seistan, appealed to
me to move the British Government in their behalf, as their fellow-men and relations were now
being slain by His Highness the Amir—the servant of the British Government—and others
were being kept in prison in Afghan territory.
12. On the 13th instant, consequent on the extreme heat affecting both men and horses
and a paucity of grazing, 1 split up my party putting the escort in camp at Killa-i-Nao
where there were ample supplies to be had and good grazing, and moreover, all inhabitants
being Baluch, most friendly disposed and ready to bring all supplies.
13. Accompanied by the remainder of the party, I proceeded due north from the
capital, moving along the bank of the Hamun where ample grazing was free to all comers.
14. This enabled me to mix freely with nomad encampments from all parts, treat their
sick, and cement friendly relations with them, and at the same time to visit all the villages on
the outer circle, as I had, while encamped at Nasratabad, compiled statistics of all villages
and towns within a radius of 10 to 15 miles of the capital.
15. Arriving at Guzbar to the north-east, I left ray camp by the hank of the river, and
with a few attendants I crossed both arms of the Helmand, and, proceeding on foot for three
marches, visited the towns on the Perso-Afghan frontier, and ascertaining that there was no
truth in the report made by the Hussian officer to the Seistan authorities that plague had
appeared at Kandahar, Farrah, Chakansur, etc.
16. We were well treated by 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. “ Khan Jahan” and the “widow” 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.
Muhammad Sharif,” two influential and more or less independent parties (Baluch) on the
frontier.
17. They supplied us not only with horses and guides, hut daily sent cooked mimanie for
the entire party.
18.. Both these Sardars were well known to Sir R. Sandeman and had been on the
Goldsmidt Boundary Commission, and are most loyally disposed to British influence.
19. It was a pleasing trip amongst hospitable friendly people in comparison to the sour
faces and unfnendly feeling ot many of the Parsiban towns we had passed through, and everv
assistance was given us to complete the statistics of these parts right up to Milak where I
had previously visited.
20 We reached camp here on 29th instant finding all well, and much improved in tone
and health, the climate being much more salubrious than the bare plain at Nasratabad.
2L These tours, which alone keep the party fit in this country and heat, enable me now
to complete a detailed account of all available supplies, etc., every head of cattle, sheep, horse,
donkey etc., and to supplement and verify by personal observation each detail which had also
been otherwise compiled while halting.
f ._ 22 V- In ( add tr e Were t a S e t ?. tl P e ? t a , lai o re number of sick, get much useful information
fiom patients and others, v,sit the chief Sardars of all Baluch tribes, and those from within
, wh ° ," raze h ? re ^ this period of the year, and thus cement friendly relations with
neo il^loe^W nrn- ^iv" 1 ' e “° W ° pened up ’ and above a15 sho "' ourselves to the
F: P V P . , po 1 ! ^ S rY,and de'end ourselyes from the calumnies and misrepresenta
tions of the noithein rival and the Persian officials, who, without any doubt are averse to our
interests spreading in the country, and who thmuo-h fl/a f d- •’ j < ver.e t
nv.u -fh; i y ’ , . t tnrougn the Governor of Binand and right-hand
ot t ■ S^'l’ here i are working dead against us in every possible way.