'Report of Khan Bahadur Maula Bakhsh, Attaché to the Agent to the Governor General of India and Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General for Khurasan and Sistan, on His Journey from Meshed to Quetta via Turbat-i-Haidari, Kain, Sistan, Kuh-i-Malik Siah and Nushki (7th April to 28th July 1898)' [‎55r] (114/156)

ON HIS JOURNEY FROM MESHED TO QUETTA, 1898.
87
Non-Baluch tribeg.
1. Tamindani . . ,
2. Ladizi . ,
3. Shamdan and Kasha
4. Karamzai and Hashimzai
5. Khashi . ,
Total number of families of non-Baluch tribes
, Grand total op families . 1,425
\
{v) Vegetation.—k sort of shrub (locally called Tursha) grows in the
Vegetation. Kuh-i-Gugird which resembles camel-
thorn and has “ablak” (light blue)
flowers. The people of Sarhad eat these flowers and then cover the bushes
with soft earth which is converted, in a few days, by the juice of the plant, into
a sort of acid that is collected and stored. This acid is dissolved in water and
used for flavouring dishes and as a refreshing beverage, which, it is said, is
delicious and helps digestion.
Number
of families.
. 40
. 30
. 100
100
100
A kind of onion (locally called “ Sir ” or garlic) also grows in the Kflh-i-
Gugird which is of reddish colour. It is largely consumed by the people of
Sarhad and is said to be very delicious.
(m?) Mineral Beds of red and black ochre exist (on river banks)
Mineral dyes. ln the Kuh-i-Gugird which are used by
the people of Sarhad for dyeing cloth.
(#) Kuh-i- Gugird. —There is a range of very high hills in Sarhad called
Kfih.i-Gugird and gardens. Kuh-i-Gugird [which contain (as the
name implies) sulphur and saltpetre].
These hills are bounded on the east by the river Sangu and on the west by
Nazil. The length of these hills from east to west is 20 farsakhs (about 80
miles) and they have always ice.
Gardens. —The gardens of Sarhad are situated on the slopes and at the
foot of these hills and contain bana (Pistacia terebintuus), almond, etc.
(y) Minerals. —On the top of the Kuh-i-Gugird is a well from which
Mineralg> issues a kind of gas. No one can approach
this well without severely suffering from
the effects of the gas that comes out of it.
Saltpetre. —Layers of saltpetre are formed round this well which are
removed with long-handled spades.
Sulphur. —Sulphur comes out of a place near the well and forms into
layers on the ground.
“ Gugird-i-Ahmar.” —It is said that Gugird-i-Ahmar (a kind of sulphur
which is supposed to possess wonderful alchemical properties) also used to be
found in these hills, but its place is not known now.
Lead. —At a distance of 3 or 4 farsakhs (12 or 16 miles) there is a lead
mine which was formerly worked.
Ancient mines. —There is another hill called Kiih-i-Mar Pich containing
ancient mines which were worked in former times. The mines and wells can
now be seen, but the Baluchis do not know what minerals they contain. This
is a point which can be determined by miners and experts.
There is another hill near the Kuh-i-Gugird and Kuh-i-Mar Pich contain
ing mines that appear to have been worked in olden times, but it is not
known what mineral wealth they possess. This can, however, be ascertained
by experts.