‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎27v] (59/134)

46
Someone has been writing- to the Persian Government authorities at Tehran and Meshed
re administration of Ghain by Shaukat-ul-Mulk to the effect that within the past five years
he had embezzled 40,000 tumans (Rs. 1,50,000) of revenue monies.
In Seistan it is suspected Mirza Haji Muhammad Khan, 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. , is the
intriguer, and that in consequence he has been summoned to Meshed by Russian Consul-
General to explain if the case was prosecuted by the Persian Governor, what evidence in proof
of the charge could be produced.
( 11 ) The Seistan officials continue to give effect to the report that the Hashmat-ul-Mulk,
Governor of Tabas and Seistan, had written to his son, the Deputy Governor here, to adopt
any possible means quietly to get rid of the British officer and his party out of the country,
as his influence with the Sardars and respect he showed them would be bad for the country. *
(12) This 1 have every reason to believe is a pure fabrication so far as any action on the
part of Hashmat-ul-Mulk is concerned ; others doubtless are pressing the point.
(13) The Russian Doctor, who was lately in Tehran and who examined the Shah, pro
nounced him to be suffering from gouty diathesis and chronic nephitis (kidney disease), and has
recommended him to proceed to some well known Spa in Russia to drink the waters. * Doubt
less this is the sportsman who drew up that very clearly defined sanitary document particularly
affecting the eastern routes couched in the very best of professional phraseology, for as far
as my experience goes there is no sufficiently educated Persian doctor capable of doing so.
(14) The bad weather is now nearly over and it is getting much cooler.
(15) Party all fit and well.
(lb) Seistan Kafilas are now preparing to journey to Quetta vid Nushki and jostling one
another for passes.
One merchant with party of five who has come from xMeshed with horses (native of Dera
Ismail Khan) has now been encamped with us for the past three days.
I have induced him to remain, so that he may accompany another Kafila A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. from a village
close by who have been collecting and packing wool with a view of proceeding there.
(17) If a few Hindu traders could be imported, or induced to come in here, like at
Kirman, and settle, a brisk trade, I am confident, would soon spring up and we could very
easily at a profitable margin undersell Russian goods.
Seistan j
f ^ * BRAZIER-CREAGH, Surgeon-Major, A.M.S,
22nd August 1897.)
No. 10, dated Camp Warmal, the 28th August 1897.
From-SuBGEON-MAJOB Beazieb-Cbeagh, A.M.S.,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
In forwarding the accompanying despatch of affairs up to date, may I request to be
furnished with some idea of the recall of the mission, to enable me to purchase and lay out the
necessary supplies en route for our return journey ?
x No. 9, dated Seistan, the 27th August 1897.
1. 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 reached Siadak on 18th instant accompanied by 70 sowars, and
Further development of Perso-Afghan water rights. stated with Saidar Khan Jahan. On the 19th
„ instant they moved into camp at Deh Ass, on
the Helmand bank opposite where Mulla Fakir Muhammad Akhundzada (Governor of Kang)
was camped.
A message was duly sent to the Afghan Governor requesting a meeting to which the
Akhund replied that he was busy that day with the Kabul dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. which had just reached him
but would come next morning. *
On the 20th the Akhundzada with 40 sowars came over to the Persian camp, and after
the usual compliments Allar Yar Khan, Naib-ul-Hakumat, Seistan, delivered a speech to the
following effect :—
“ All races know that, with the exception of a few plots of ground, the United Kingdom
is governed by heretic nations, and that now if they of the Islam nations do not unite to
maintain what they had, surely that would also be soon devoured.”
All paities of both factions applauded this speech, and unanimously agreed that such
petty quarrels and disagreements as the present about water distribution, etc., should never
arise between two Muhammadan nations.
The Afghan Governor (Akhundzada) replied “that the area under irrigation by the Hel
mand in Afghanistan, was as three to one in comparison with Seistan, and that while Seistan
only required one share, Afghanistan required three shares. Furthermore, it was entirely
through Afghan liberality and kindness that Persia was permitted even the half of the share