‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎128v] (261/722)

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(2) by the ridge which connects Kalat in the north-west with the
mountain system on the south (this path is well known and
is called Kuingushi, and leads to Gird) :
(3) a path immediately under the Sar Kamar Khisht peak :
(4) a path close on the left of the Nafta gate.
All these paths are defended by towers, and might easily be rendered
quite impracticable.
On the northern side of Kalat, where is the Darband-i-Nafta, the hills
come down on either side to within about 60 feet ; and as they are
sheer scarps, the only entrance is by the bed of the river, which
is closed by a loopholed wall made to let the river run through. In addi
tion to the above defences, every spot where the hill seems to offer the
possibility of ascent—and there are about 100 practicable for unencumbered
and active footmen—is either artificially further scarped, or topped by loop-
holed walls, while in each little bit of level ground above is a tower. If
held in sufficient strength, it would be probably quite impossible to force it,
as, in addition to the obstructions in front, the bed of the river is flanked
by walls built upon the face of the cliff for a distance of 200 yards or so.
Nevertheless, it was some few years prior to 1875 entered by a party of
Tekke Turkumans ; but this must be attributed more to the negligence and
paucity of the garrison than to the strength or gallantry of the assailants.
There is no doubt that in Kalat is to be-found an extremely strong posi
tion, in which any number of troops could be collected; but, with all its
strength, it has two very fatal sources of weakness. First, it is situated to
the north of an exceedingly difficult range of mountains, across which it
would be very difficult to ti’ansport supplies; and if cut off from its supplies
in this direction, it would not be possible to collect sufficient from the small
villages dependent on the Khanate. Secondly, its size is a source of weak
ness. It would require a garrison far beyond the power of any state to devote
to its care. In its present state, with its slender garrison of half-hearted
soldiers, scattered all over the place and separated from each other and from
all support by miles of difficult and impracticable roads, it is not probable
that it would hold out very long against any skilful or determined attack.
A force stationed at Kalat would be within easy striking distance of
the line of communication of an army marching from Kizil-Arvat to
Sarakhs.
Both the plateau and mountain slopes are entirely devoid of trees and
Vegetation. shrubs. Even the juniper, which is found so plenti
fully on the adjoining ranges, is absent. The
surface of the ground is covered, however, with a thick growth of aromatic
herbs and grass, affording excellent pasture.
The culturable portions of the plateau are of considerable extent. There
Culturable tracts. 18 f j rst the valley, _ which has a rich alluvial soil,
and m a belt of eight miles long by about a quar
ter broad produces all the rice and fruit, silk and cotton, that is needed to
feed and clothe the whole of the inhabitants. It has an elevation of
2,500 feet, and is the only irrigated tract within the enclosure of the
plateau.
The more level parts of the highlands of the plateau have a fine light soil
that returns crops of from 10 to 15 fold of wheat and barley with very
little labour on the part of the cultivators. Such lands lie at elevations
rangingfrom 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the level of the valley. The area