'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎32r] (68/302)

Koh-i-Safed and Paniham, roam indiscriminately, Naosliirwanis,
Sinjaranis, Mamasanis, Taokis and various other Baluch tribes.
Although Seistan is not within the limits of this report, it is so
closely connected with the Sinjarani country that the Baluchis of
Seistan may well find a place for mention here. The Baluchis of
Seistan and the Afghan-Perso border are fine men ; their clansmen
extend south through the ill-defined portion of country known as
Sarhad to the south of the Nushki route, and to that part of the
country known as Persian Baluchistan. Their sympathies are en
tirely towards the Indian Government and they look with contempt
on the rule of the Persians. Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Sayad Khan, Narui Baluch, is
the leading Baluch Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. of the Afghan-Baluch-Seistan border.
He has been expelled at different times from both Afghanistan and
Seistan owing partly to personal quarrels, and partly to the intrigues
and corruption of Persian officials. Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Khan Jahan Khan, who
has thrown in his lot with Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Sayad Khan, may be regarded
as the next leading Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. of the Seistan Baluchis.
The Baluchis are very unclean in their habits, and seldom Habits,
wash themselves or their clothes. They always move about armed
with a various assortment of cutlery in their waistbands, and a
matchlock, whose effective range is about 100 yards, slung over
the shoulder. From youth up the 'Baluchis are accustomed to
bear the burden of a formidable and weighty armament, so that
they are inured to it. Their lives are spent in petty skirmishes;
their only amusement is quarrelling with their neighbours.
Sometimes organised raiding parties proceed to clean out a certain
tract of country. Some of these consist of as many as 500 or
600 men, mostly mounted on camels, the chiefs and their personal
followers may be on horses, and there is a small proportion of
footmen, for the Baluch is a splendid walker and can cover long
distances, and the shikaris or hunters are fine cragsmen and second
to none.
In the Nushki-Chagai-Sinjarani country and also in Sarhad Language,
the language of the country is Baluchi, but in Western Sinjarani
and in Sarhad the Persian language is thoroughly understood.
The people are very hospitable, and amongst themselves prac- Character,
tico a reckless generosity. It is not considered good manners to
allow a stranger ever to be alone, and they come in squads in
turn to keep him constant company.
To retail news and to transmit it is a conspicuous trait in
their character, and it is, therefore, easy to collect information, but
not so easy, though most necessary, to verify it.
The Baluchis display none of the dense and unreasoning
fanaticism so common among the Afghans,
CHAPTER VII.
History.
The Nushki-Chagai-Sinjarani country has little history to
boast ox, either past or present.
Not very much is known of its ancient history. The terraced
fields met with m the villages round the base of the slopes of the