'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎26v] (57/131)

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. rri 1 ,1 to cro to Tehran as invited in connection with the mur-
*, o'/i SZ2L i k b l “A h “i i-u» in n.»l .tyi..
Th, «d.r slating he w.. »»* - uf, S t
the usual peshkash at the Imperi, Mir Ali Akbar power to punish, in any
come to Tehran ; and m addition the ^d ciider ga
wav he considered fit, those who showed him any reDeinon j
Hi, reported that th. ah.ve is » g~t di.appo.nto.nt to M„ Ah , ...»»« B.rjaod.
(*) Pordil Khan ha, br.nght a copy «. ih. 0*0 oi
Denied by Sartip when spoken to about putting publication to them throughout Seistan.
obstacles in my way when carrying out His Highness g F
the Shah’s orders by ag I eement with e ®^ rs ^ p erm i S gion from Government to be allowed to
(5) There are numerous applicants the old karezes at Kistaka, Sindak,
* a Baloch.’ , Amir Chah, Kobat, etc.
(61 The re-establishing of these karezes and cultivation m the vicinity of our thanas is, in
the opinion of the 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. , an important matter for the consideration of Government and has
been reported in detail to the Agent to the Governor-General Baluchi ta ,
(71 It is reported that Russian troops have reached Ghain, that they come into the
Tillages, and that no obstacles are put in their way in crossing the frontier.
”(81 The Governor of Birjand has generally sanctioned the Ijaras for this year s crops
earlier than usual, to afford the Russians an opportunity of purchasing grain in uham.
(9, Last week 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. received a letter from the Russian Doctor that
he was to explain to the Sartip that he (Russian Doctor) had reported to the Russian authori
ties that the British officer had been allowed to remain in the country, and that he (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 to work so as to drive us out of the country.
(101 This is why obstacles were put in our way last week and all supplies stopped by
order of officials, which difficulty now happily has been smoothed over and all supplies are forth-
coming. _ . .
(11) There is every reason for believing that this is not the doing of the Saitip himself or
his mother but has been the outcome of plots hatched against us by the Naib-ul-Hukmat and
the 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. , who apparently are working hand and glove with the Birjand officials against
British prestige and against the power of Mir Ali Akbar, the Governor of Tabas and Seistan.
(12) It is a strong policy of the Russians to get hold of these two men, and with liberal
distribution of peshkash, etc., at Birjand they have secured the influence of the Sartip’s right-
hand man, viz., Naib-ul-Hukmat, and thiugs are worked by him as if emanating from the
Sartip.
(13) The Sartip’s mother is a most shrewd and business-like clever woman, but as far as
possible things are concealed from her too and I have every reason to suppose both from her
getters and actions that she is most favourably disposed toward us.
(14) The plot anent the order issued to all Kad Kudas not to supply our camp not having
succeeded as anticipated, a much more serious one was set on foot which came to my notice
through Mulla Muhammad Raza's kindness and generosity.
(15) The Kad Kuda of Ramak was for three days in Nasratahad staying.with the parties
above referred to (officials) and came back having secretly arranged the following plot :—
“ He was to get some 15 badmashes of villages who were to take with them some
women at midnight, and, when near our camp, the women were to cry loudly for help where
upon the men were to come up and all create a great row and say the British soldiers had got
hold of the women, so as to report to the Mulla and people, and try to drive out the British
officer and his men in disgrace from the country.”
(16) On hearing this, I immediately made all necessary arrangements in camp for any
surprise and rode into the village square, called the Kad Kuda and people and told him
straight what 1 had heard, cautioning them “ that now he and his men could come when they
liked, but that the first man we saw near camp I should fire on him straight, and that the
bloodshed would be at his door.”
They showed rather a sullen front, but the threat had its effect for we were unmolested
after that, though all supplies were cut off.
(17) On personal representation and communications passing between Sartip and myself,
all difficulties have ended and supplies, etc., are all forthcoming.
(18) As yet 1 have not heard from the Agent to the Governor-General, Khorasan, so I
conclude my letters never reached him ; this is getting serious, for I am running short of
money and we cannot get on here without it.
(19) In another 10 days when the greater heat subsides, I propose putting the escort in
camp at Robat with suitable supplies, and proceeding with a small party to Tahas to see Mir
All Akhar and learn more of Russian politics at Birjand, etc., etc.
. (^) It reported that they (Russians) are working hard to establish themselves both at
njand and Kerman, so as to command the Bandar Abbas-Kerman-Khorasan trade route.