‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎129r] (262/722)

now under cultivation is small, and its produce does not exceed local require
ments; but there is unlimited room for extension to meet the wants of any
probable future increase of the population.
The crops, though dependent on rainfall and dews, never fail, save under
exceptional visitation of drought, such as the whole country has lately
suffered from. The fact is remarkable, as the rainfall and snowfall on the
north side of the mountains, though perhaps, as alleged by the natives,
greater than on the south side, can hardly be sufficient to nourish vegetation,
and the high plateau lands are entirely devoid of surface water and springs,
owing, no doubt, to the lightness of the soil, the soft texture of the rocks
below it, and the great depth to which the innumerable drainage lines
have sunk.
The population of Kalat has been reduced by the famine and by previous
misgovernment almost to the lowest ebb. Another
pu 10n ' season of drought would, I learnt, have swept away
the highland villages, and have opened a path to the Turkumans into the
heart of the valley. For some time previous to the famine the hereditary
chief had been deported to Mashhad, and his place taken by the officer com
manding the regiment stationed there ; who, being inexperienced, failed
not only to guard the Atak villages, but even to prevent frequent and de
structive incursions across the almost impenetrable mountain banner, by
which large numbers of the inhabitants of the outlying villages were carried
off. The ruins of a village, attacked by a large body of dismounted Turku
mans, who, leaving their horses outside, ascended an unguarded path at
night and completely destroyed and depopulated it, were pointed out as
evidence ; and, impossible as such an enterprise appeared, there was little
room left to doubt the fact.
At present the plateau contains only eight small villages— :
Arghun Shah and Gio Gumhaz in the valley.
Giran (Girau), Khisht, Nafta, Sar-i-Zar, Kulazii, and Agtash* on the highlands of the
plateau.
The whole number about 280 houses, equivalent to 1,400 souls.
The people are chiefly Turks of the Jallayar and Baiat tribes, with some
few Arab and Kurd families. They have been impoverished by hard sea
sons, but are tall, robust, and active. Those living in the valley are in no
way affected by the insalubrious climate, and appear even finer men than
the people of the highland villages. All are armed and inured to war by
constant border warfare. When not demoralised by the apathy and neg
lect of their natural leaders, they are fully able to hold their own with the
Turkumans; and some instances were cited of their combining to take the
initiative in retaliating enterprises.
There are no traces in Kalat of ancient occupation ; even the mounds of
fire temples so common elsewhere are wanting.
Traces of former occupation. The most ancient ruins t o be found are those
of the “ Imarat-i-Nadir,” or “ Nadir’s building.” It was, nevertheless, no
doubt a stronghold of Persian nationality. In the time of the eai’lier Tartar
sovereigns it was occupied as a military position, and evidently deemed of
great importance, as is shown by an inscription recording the completion
of its fortifications by Arghun Shah, the grandson of Halaku, still visible
at the gate named after him. Arghun Shah is said to have fled to Kalat
after his defeat in the west by his brother, Ahmad Khan. Timur Kura-
kan, or Tamerlane, took the place by stratagem. In later times Nadir
* Probably “ Ak-tash. :