'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎13r] (30/302)

13
niddle
dost
■anak
t into
nesin,
will
n tk(
ushki,
d tbe
; least
re ot
bough
que«-
founii
valry,
trate-
brsak
re the
i and
f the
1 the
llyof
into
'ne of
ce of
ice.
s, 20
i that
west-
s far
orth-
fine
letter
may
I irui,
ough
“an
;oing
the
-ease
esof
^ells
the
jund
and pat is left behind, and the track, throughout most of its
length to Robat, lies over ground covered by sharp pieces of broken
shale or slate, which usually lame riding camels after a few days*
consecutive marching. The marches are extremely long, 87 miles
having to be covered in four stages between Mirui and Mushki
Chah.
From Mushki Chah to Saindak an alternative route to that
by Sahib Chah was used by dd& sowars and travellers in 1903 as
follows :—
Mushki Chah to Humai about 13 miles.
Humai to Borghar „ 20 „
Borghar to Amalaf „ 18 „
Atnalaf to Saindak ,, 8 „
This route is only a camel track, passable for all arms, except
at a point about 4$ miles from Mushki Chah, in the hills to the
north-west of that place, where the track leads over a low kotal,
requiring a few hours’ work to render it fit for wheeled artillery.
Humai wells are amongst some low sand-dunes, bearing 120°
from Koh-i-Dalil and about 5^ miles in a straight line from that
hill. Water is good and plentiful about 5' to 10' below the surface.
There are 10 wells and more could be made ; and fuel is fairly plenti
ful, and camel grazing very plentiful, in the vicinity. Space far
camping is very extensive, but there are no supplies.
Borghar is a temporary stage only and depends on the presence
of water in Borghar naioar which only holds water for a short
period after a rainfall. Except a small supply for an account of
which see Part II under Borkuh. There is no fuel; camel grazing
is scarce, and there are no supplies. Space for camping is very
extensive.
There is one well about 6 miles west of Humai, to the north
of the camel track and south of Koh-i-Dalil, but the water is very
brackish.
Camel grazing on this 3rd portion is by no means abundant at
all stages, and if a considerable number of camels were taken alono-
the road at the same time, or in successive parties at short inter
vals, it would probably be necessar 3 r to send the camels a consider
able distance to obtain grazing. Even parties of 50 camels would,
after a time, have to go a considerable distance to graze.
Between Mirui and Robat, the ground is cut into ridges by
the action of the water draining from the neighbouring hills. This
is especially the case in the last three marches into Robat, and the
first two onwards from Robat to Seistan. The stages are long, of
18, 17, 25, 16 and 24 miles, respectively, the ridges are incessant
and the slopes up and down steep. These marches would be very
trying for laden camels pushing through quickly, and would prob
ably completely knock up animals drawing guns or wagons.
The water-supply along the road, though slightly saline after
leaving Quetta, is fairly good as far as Mirui. From this point
it is distinctly saline, in varying degrees in different places and at