'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎22v] (49/302)

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From Jalk to Ladis there are three routes
I. —By the desert, passing via Nairn and skirting the base
of the hills west of the Tahlab river, with regard to
which Jennings expresses the opinion that, even in its
present condition, it is fit for wheeled traffic. The dis
tance from Jalk to Ladis by this route is 122 miles.
II. —To the u r est of the above vid Nairn and skirting the
hills, 158£ miles.
III. —Still further west vid Gusht and joining (II) at
Bug, 1891 miles.
Boute No. 49 . 26. Jalk io Hurmak via LaJgasht and Ladit, length 240
miles, 15 stages There is another road from Jalk which, after
passing by Ladgasht to Maksotag over level ground, follows close
along the western bank of the Tahlab river.
Sub-Surveyor Ahmed Ali Khan traversed this road and reports
that it is fit for camels, but very heavy in places for wheeled artil
lery. At six of the stages the water is brackish, but at the other
9 stages it is good.
This route crosses the following kotals :—
In stage 10 the Dar-i-Giaban kotal which is rather difficult
for laden camels ; in stage 12 the Bed pass by an easy ascent of
about 200 7 ; in stage 14 the Khan Muhammad Kushta kotal
and the Shamidar kotal, both easy for laden camels, with an easy
gradient on both sides.
At Hurmak the Quetta-Nushki-Seistan trade route is met.
Route No. 54. 27. The Rakhshan river (West Van]gur) to Jalk 'jxn. Kuhak and
Isfandak, length 76 miles, 5 stages. —This route is a more northerly
alternative to that given in Route No. 55, and appears to be prac
ticable for the passage of guns w r ith a small amount of labour.
Between Panjgur and Kuhak the Ma'-hkel river has to be
crossed. This river would be a serious obstacle when in flood,
probably causing a delay of several days. The bed which is
bounded by steep cliffs is about 800 yards broad, and in ordinary
circumstances there is running water of feet in depth in a
channel of 20 yards breadth; guns could be hauled across.
Behind Kuhak the lofty Sianeh Koh extends east and west,
some 8 miles distant, and to the foot of the mountain there is a
steady rise. About 8 miles to the east lie the lower hills in which
the Koh-i-Sabz terminates. Between these two ranges down the
narrow interval called Tahank a road leads from Kuhak to the
Mashkel river, meeting it on the north of the Koh-i-Sabz. Here
the road branches, one branch following the Mashkel to Jalk, the
other leading eastwards to Washuk and Kharan, running between
the two great ranges.
From Kuhak there are sail to be two roads to Isfandak ;
the lower and better road followed by this route keeps most of the
way to the course of the Mashkel river, the other taking a slightly
more northerly course. There is no pass across the Sianeh Koh
by which laden animals can cross the range between the Mashkel
passes and the Bonsir pass.