'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎30r] (64/131)

fl they had, seeing that the Helmand was entirely Afghan. Now you (Persians) are not satis
fied and have taken advantage of fair and liberal treatment^ and want to deprive us (Afghans)
of the whole of our waters. The water of the Helmand having changed its flow to Parun,
entirely in Persian jurisdiction, the natural fair distribution should be that we (Afghans)
should have the entire water in the old Helmand channel and you (Persians) have that in Rud-
i-Parun, or failing this, let us jointly repair the band at Kohak and bring more water on this
side sufficient for both parties/'
On behalf of Seistan 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. Purdil Khan demurred and traversed the claim so ably set
forth in the above speech by the Akhundzada and said, “ No ! they (Persians) would not join
Afghans in repairing what was their own (meaning the band); we shall excavate a channel
within our jurisdiction and you do likewise in yours/'
The Afghan leader declined this proposal ^maintaining that the distribution of the water
should be regulated at the mouth of the river or he would not allow any excavation of
channels.”
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 also spoke more or less to the same effect as Purdil Khan, but the
Afghan leader remained firm and de bonne grace declined to be coerced.
The commission then broke up orderly and the questio vexata has been referred to the
respective Governments.
*2 During conversation the Akhundzada is said to have mentioned the weakness of the
Persian Government in permitting Russian and British officers to wander in the country.
3 On the 22nd my apothecary with escort returned from Birjand, where they had been
for some 18 days awaiting despatch and money from Consul-General, Meshed.
The money reached me safely and my party returned all right after an absence of exactly
a month.
4 The following is a brief summary of events in Birjand [as reported by my apothecary)
and oaves corroborative evidence of information previously forwarded to you.
Tf common report in Biriand bazars that the Persian Government have written to the
1 # . Governor (Shaukat-ul-Mulk) to say the Russian
Feeling and situation of affairs in Birjand. Consul-General with 20 Cossack sowars has
been granted permission to live in Birjand.
This official is stated to have reached Meshed from Askabad and is shortly expected in
Birjand. . ^
A plot of ground is also being allotted for building a Russian residence.
5 The Russian doctor who was in here (Seistan) is still (15th August 1897) in Birjand,
but is under orders to proceed to Turbat-i-Haidari, and all his letters which came through the
post were directed to Turbat. . , . . , , i i ^
The Russian doctor resides in a detached residence m the Amir s garden and has the
following party: —
2 Mirzas.
1 Assistant Apothecary,
7 Russian sowars.
4 Turkoman sowars.
12 Horses.
10 Mules.
Up is reported as not treating the inhabitants who go to him, makes excuses saying ‘ he
. » “ his boxes are packed, » and that “ he has not sufficient medicine,
is go g Y > j made a Khan Shummari (house-to-house
“““ h ' b “
stopped going. dail to my assistant who was supplied with medicine
which 6 hSeldig his stay, and having pat up in the central and largest caravan serar
tbe p. rty j* at .be end
7. All the people o£ Ghaxn and 3 of passao . es t0 Afghanistan and Seistan, as they
Passages beingstUl cl« sed e ‘^’w'carried "out 'in aredependent for most supplies from both
anent opemug them nave uou u places.
prices have gone up considerably and there is great difficulty in getting flour, etc.,
there now. ^rosnect of a Russian occupation of the country and
8. People are all much aveise to th p P , , lt ag we ji as Seistan ! and so keep the
asked why the British Government h ave P he British Government who
Russians out. “ They are all ^ H at and wish that the British Govern-
caused the other passages to be open in Seistan^ana
ment would cause their passages (Afghanistan) to sell a tract of pasturage lands
9. The Russians wrote asking tne am vicinity 0 £ Herat to the west somewhere
. tn the Amir of Afghanistan and between it and Turbat-i-Haidari and also sent
Mi“ Su presents to him. It is reported he retained
the presents and declined the proposal.