'Notes on Persian Seistan' [‎29r] (62/142)

NOTES ON PERSIAN SEISTAN.
47
flowing into the bed of the former canal of that name, which used to take off
from the old Helmund, irrigates the Mahal of Siadak and adjacent cultivated
ground. The remaining water of the Rud-i-Parian, and a large proportion of
the whole, runs to waste in the Naizar or Hamun near Jelalabad.
To sum up, the Rud-i-Seistan or the Rud-i-Sheb-i-Ab irrigates the
southern and south-western districts of Seistan, its two main branch canals,
the Rud-i-Hasinki and Zahak, the PushUi-Ab or north-western portion of
the cultivated area, while Miankangi, or the land between the two branches
of the Helmund, now derives its supply of water from the Rud-i-Parian alone.
The water of the old Helmund, or the eastern branch of that river, which at
present constitutes the frontier in that locality, is now used solely for the
irrigation of Afghan territory.
The canals of Seistan have never been used for purposes of water com-
Canals for purposes of transport, munication, but there is nothing to prevent
the larger canals from being so utilized.
That they are never employed for purposes of transport, is due probably to
the fact that there is no wood suitable for boat-building found in Seistan, and
that tamarisk, the only timber available, is not buoyant and so rafts cannot
be employed.
There is, however, nothing to prevent narrow boats or rafts, drawing not
more than 2 feet 6 inches of water, passing along any of the main canals. For
instance, starting from the Band-i-Seistan, the village of Chilling could be
reached by the Rud-i-Sheb-i-Ab; the Adimi and Zahak canals in Pusht-i-Ab
could be navigated to within the proximity of Nasratabad, while boats draw
ing not more than 8 feet 6 inches could reach a point close to Jelalabad on
the edge of the Naizar, when the Helmund was moderately high.
COMMUNICATIONS.
The whole of the inhabited area of Seistan is, generally speaking,
absolutely flat and featureless, though there are scattered over the country a
few small hills or mounds, locally known as “ Tappa,” from which, owing to
its extraordinary flatness, and, except in Miankangi, the entire absence of
trees, a considerable view of the surrounding country can be obtained.
These would be useful in the event of military operations as signalling
stations and in a country in which it is extremely difficult to find one's way,
owing to the lack of prominent features, would furnish in many cases
excellent landmarks. As the country varies considerably in various parts of
Seistan, a short description is given of each of the divisions, already mentioned.
Miankangi .—In this district the ground, where not cleared for cultivation
. in small tracts near villages, is covered with
ian angi. tamarisk jungle, varying much in density
and height, but throughout forming a great obstacle to movement. Alternate
belts are met with, varying from 10 feet to 30 feet in height, apparently due to
the ground having been at some time cleared for cultivation and subsequently
neglected. View is consequently limited to a few hundred yards, and a
guide is always a necessity. The higher jungle would in many places prevent
the use of camel transport, until new roads had been cut, or existing paths
widened, as the tamarisk branches meet overhead, but mules and donkeys
could be employed until this was done.