'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎28r] (60/131)

^ , ..W 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, in support of the proprietary rights of deceased Ali Khan (t e
relative of his, the 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. s, once removed), has repaired the Parun Band for himself. ’
Sultan Ah Baza Khan was appointed to repair the band and Akhunzada Bakar Ali Khan
(t.e.. Governor of Kanga in Afghan territory) had also helped him by the way *
(3) Dost Muhammad Khan brother 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. Gul Muhammad Khan of Pulgh had
std Kt^iwrhim.r c annel of water for irrigatiou ' but Akhu “ zada had
But now he (Dost Muhammad) reported that Akhunzada had consented to allow him to
dig a new channel provided no damage is done to the old one which runs into Afghan territory
(4) Some time ago Mirza Muhammad Rahim Khan (i.e., 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. ) J had
+ Showing very clearly Russian intrigue. lepoited that Afghan authorities had made
. . some encroachments on the Parun lands in
Seistan territory, so knowing 1 this as important I. bring it to your notice.
(5) As regards the murder case at Burg-i-Kohana, the Agha Syed Mir Ali Kad Kuda had
not informed anything until it was asked from him and then he came himself and stated the
facts, that the accused is in his custody and that he had confiscated his property. He also
requested that accused might be allowed to remain with him until receipt of orders from you.
[ Demi-official. ]
No. 6 , dated Camp Diwana, Seistan, the 3rd August 1897.
From —Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
As there is little, if anything, of importance to communicate officially in this dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. I
deviate from the usual official style*
(1) Things are now quiescent here as the weather has a depressing and very subduing
effect on the Persian official, and since the receipt of further orders from head-quarters anent
the re-opening of all passages under my jurisdiction with distinct orders to all officials from
the Deputy Governor-General of Khorassan, u enjoining them not to hinder, under any circum
stances whatever, the tratiic of travellers or the quarantine duties under my charge/'* I am
left a free hand to go where I like,
(2) The orders from Colonel Yate and also from Simla regarding these matters have been
so delayed in sending me, I have had to act entirely in every matter in the best possible man
ner a discreet intelligence suggested, and had I only been armed with these clearly defined
orders of the Shah, etc., much of my anxiety and labour would have been lessened.
(3) Indeed it was only last week I got the copy of Shah's orders anent quarantine rules,
and yesterday only received Yate's letter, dated 28th May, with the more recent rules issued.
(4) It is a capital thing to have been able to effect the opening of trade route on our side
and arrange things at Tehran satisfactorily and urgently as 1 pointed out in secret despatch to
you. It spread like wild-fire all over the country that the British Sarkar had re-opened
routes, and with the withdrawal of Russian Doctor and my continued stay in the country it
has also gone abroad that the Russian Officer had also to leave the country by British Sarkar's
order. Such things have a wonderful effect on the ignorant inhabitants far and near.
(5) Yate mentions in his last that there was a proposal to despatch a Captain Bendereff
and Doctor Miladchewske from Birjand to enquire into the arrangements here which has been
met with protest on our side; this is well. The influence and reports of their 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. and the assistance—strong—very, of Amir Panj, Governor of Birjand, are opposing
forces quite strong enough against us. As pointed out from the very first arrival here? the
activity and intentions of our rival are considerable, and during wanderings round the country
and intervals snatched from professional application and research, I have been able to worm
out and unearth a good deal and lost no opportunity to push the British interests in every con
ceivable manner as quietly as possible.
(6) We ought, I think, as pointed out in my last, to carefully watch proceedings at Bir*
jand and Kerman. The plague scare is a complete blind, the Russian Officer absolutely did
nothing during his stay here regarding plague, and probably did about as much during his
stay at Birjand. What other duties he and the Russian Captain have pursued 1 am in ignor
ance of as one of my most useful S. S. men has been taken off to Birjand under suspicion, and
this man used to furnish me with all their doings. Doubtless Yate is keeping a close eye on
them.
* jy - . _B. Showing that those on the frontier concert measures with each other in matters of water-supply if only
left to themselves.— G. W. Brazier-Creagh.
-{• In 1882 the Persians falsely complained that the Afghans had drawn off the water at Bandar, and that in conse-
auence their land was lying waste and the population was dwindling ; and in 1884 the Amir of Afghanistan complained
that the Persians refused to evacuate land north of the Naizar, which led to a request from the Shah that this clause
mmht be reconsidered; but the Viceroy of India has always strongly deprecated any change, and indeed stated that the
Government of India will not be answerable for the conduct of the Amir of Afghanistan if the award be not maintained
in its strict geographical accuracy.
(Vide Lieutenant the Hon’ble H. D. Napier’s report, page 3.—-B. C.)
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