'Report on The Mission to Seistan, by Surgeon-Major G. W. Brazier-Creagh, A.M.S [Army Medical Services] 1897.' [‎30v] (65/131)

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Doubtless the Russian Mission under Major Gromtchevsky (who was present on the %
Pamir Commission and has but recently returned from a mission m Manchuria), that it is
proposed to send to Kabul, has some scheme on hand as above noted, that is, it as previously
reported they have obtained permission to establish posts and consulships at Birjand and
Turbat.
10. A new 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. has replaced the one recalled to Meshed.
11. Abbas Ali, son of Darwesh Khan, deceased (murdered), had orders from Tehran to
proceed to Meshed and report himself to the Rukn-ud-Dowleh who had left Tehran for
Meshed.
12. Ali Akbar Khan, Governor of Tabas, it is stated, has also received oideis to pioceed
to Meshed and had left Tabas for that purpose.
13. Bam Narmishu Kafilas are now arriving 1 for purchase of grain, as it is reported there
is a great scarcity in that district this year, consequent on a visitation of locusts which have
destroyed all the crops,
14. I bought some good camels from that district at very reasonable rates to replace
those that had died.
15. This week we have been busily engaged purchasing grain, now that the crops are all
in, so as to stock the Robat Thana with a sufficiency to last them during the winter season,
j> rices as also sufficient for the return journey of my
Flour . . . .16 seers per rupee, escoit and paity up to Kondi, with a good
Wheat . . t . 19 „ „ „ ' margin in hand in case of necessity, or to be
Barley * . . . 37i „ „ „ left at Robat for use of District Political’s
Bhusa .... As. 4 per maund. (Lieutenant Webb-Ware’s) usual visit.
This will be a considerable saving to Government as grain is sure to rise in price once the
Kaffias arrive and northern routes are declared open.
We have got our supplies at the average rates marginally noted, all good, unmixed, clean
grain.
16. On the night of the 25th instant my post at Girdi (38| mhes north from Robat
, tj iu • ^ > -o i m . Thana) was attacked by Afghans (so men
Attack on Her Maiesty s Eoyal mail post. ’ . . -r ,* 7 . . ° . v , ,
report, as they spoke in Pushtu only) who beat
the levy sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. runners and guide severely? looted the Government camel, also saddle, saddle
bag, all the men’s clothes, sword, flour, barley and wheat and money they had on them.
Having taken away the camel and things to a distance they left the men free and
proceeded east across the desert, where these tracks were visible next morning on the sand.
Of course the men were powerless and could do nothing, being attacked at midnight,
but fortunately the Robat Levy, runners and guide arrived at 9 o’clock next morning bringing
the dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. and relieved them ; all arrived in camp safely yesterday morning somewhat the worse
for the conflict, showing abrasions and wounds, the result of ill-treatment.
The weather being now cooler, arrangements are being made to guard the post with
cavalry escort to prevent any repetition of the occurrence.
3 7. The party, with the exception of a few cases of fever consequent on change in
weather and cold nights, continues to maintain good health.
G. W. BRAZILR-CREAGH,
Surgeon-Major, A,M*S.
No. 10, dated Seistan, the 5th October 1897.
From— Suegeon-Major Bbazieb-Ceeagh, A.M.S.,
To The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department,
I have the honour to.inform you that absence outside the safe limits of my dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. arrange
ments, together with serious illness which prostrated me for some ten days, prevented mv
communicating with you during the past month.
In the notes embodied and forwarded herewith will be found particulars of events since last
communication.
Dated Seistan, the 5th October 1897.
district been makiDg a reconnaissanoe and surve y of th e mountainous
consiiw^nf ^ im P ortan 1 t strategical bearing on the defence of Seistan and was
considered of considerable importance by the late Mr. N. Elias. As owimj to various causes
of island 1893 °“ onrabl ® D . Napier, during his tour through the country in the winter
Mission to exnlora Tud ^ * deemed ifc advisable before the recall of the
iviission to explore and survey this country, which has now been completed