'Military Report of the Nushki-Chagai-Western Sinjarani Country' [‎116r] (236/302)

There is an abundance of good water here running in a small stream
through a tamarisk jungle. I was informed that this is a favourite
summer camping-ground of the Baluchis from the Helmand, who bring
their flocks to graze on the slopes of Kacha Koh. Last year there were
some 2,000 families of Muhammad Sunnis encamped in the vicinity.
Camping-ground. —Unlimited.
Supplies. —Uncertain. At certain seasons of the year many head of
sheep and goats to be obtained.
Fodder. —Plenty of coarse grass in the nala-be&. In the spring and
summer plenty of grass to be obtained on hill-sides.
Camel-grazing. —Good and abundant (jkowand Lana) in neighbouring
nalas.
Fuel. —Abundant; tamarisk trees. (Roome.)
SAIFUDDIN NAWAR—
A halting-place on the road from Amalafin North-West Baluchistan to
Seistan. MacGregor, from native information, makes it the fifth stage (i 14
miles) from Amalaf. The preceding stage, Hurmak, is 35 miles distant,
and Kundur, the next forward, is 20 miles distant. It lies on the Shela
or Shelag plain. Water from well brackish. Fuel and forage
abundant. {MacGregor.)
SAINDAK.—Lat. 29 0 16'; Long. 61 0 37'; Kiev. 2,907'.
The 17th stage on the trade-route, 312! miles west of Nushki, and
18^ miles south-south-east of Kirtaka situated at the northern foot of
Saindak Koh. There is a thana with accommodation for a lhanadar,
munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. , and sowars; also a flour-mill, post office, bania Merchant of Indian extraction. 's shop, and
commodious godown and chapar khana. There is a distilling apparatus
to purify the water which is abundant but bitter. But in I 9°3
apparatus was out of order and the water was found to possess marked
aperient qualities. {See also Appendix V.) Here the old route vii
Amir Chah joins in, and another track goes west, 22 miles, to Mirjawa.
Grass and camel-grazing is fairly abundant in the vicinity, and flocks
are grazed near. {Webb-Ware — Scudamore.)
SAINDAK KOH,—Lat. 29 0 17'; Long. 6 i° 38'; Kiev. 3,981'.
The most easterly hill of any size in the Kacha Koh range. This and
the surrounding hills are rich in minerals, lead, antimony, bismuth, copper
and ochre being the most valuable. Lead is found mostly in packets.
The natives come here to collect lead and antimony. In former times
these mines were worked extensively by the Arabs. An old village
of theirs is still in existence. The hills around are of many varied hues
and colours. Theydbound in gud and ibex, and in the ravines are many
chinkara (or the Persian gazelle, as they carry very large heads). 1 he
“Gor" or wild ass frequents these ‘ ravines; game birds are scarce; only
a few sisi. {Roome.)
SAINDAK RIVER—
Rising in the Mirjawa range flows east for about 8 miles and then
turns north-east and crossing the trade-route at Saindak passes north o
Saindak Koh.