'Report on Sistan and the Country Between It and Mashad' [‎17v] (39/118)

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As regards the remainder of the inhabitants, they would gladly welcome
any change from the oppressive rule they now groan under; and though I was
careful never to suggest any such contingency, the idea of an English annex
ation has certainly occurred to them, and I have no doubt they secretly long
for the fulfilment of it.
Among the better educated the name of Russia is well known, but I do
not think she occupies a higher place than we do. Afghanistan is always
referred to as “ Mal-i-Inglis,” and they still consider the arbitration award as
a deliberate annexation on the part of the English of half of Sistan,
I believe this erroneous idea serves the purpose of tending to preserve our
prestige in a country where it is constantly in their recollection, and where
might is more respected than right.
The Sistani is not a bigot. Since the Persian occupation of the country,
nearly everybody has found it more convenient
Kehgion. become a Shiah. I only met one or two
Sunnis in Sistan.
The Baluch appear to be sublimely indifferent to the petty differences of
either sect.
Early in the spring I passed crowds of Sistanis on their pilgrimage to
Mashad. I do not think this was so much a proof of their devotion as an
evidence of the poverty and misrule of their own country that forced them to
seek for labour elsewhere.
The dwellers in villages
Industries and trade.
are chiefly agriculturists, the remainder being
weavers, potters, shoemakers, etc., who do not
do more than supply the wants of the popula
tion.
The nomads are the principal owners of live-stock; large herds of cattle
browse in the Naizar ; sheep spread over Sistan, and, especially in the south
west, find good grazing. Camels are scarce, except in the Shela district,
where they abound.
There is very little trade in the country. The exports consist of grain,
ghee, cow and camel hides, wool, goats' hair, and camels' hair.
The imports are cast-iron, English and Russian piece-goods in very small
quantities,—for the Sistani mostly wears his own cloth,—Indian tea, indigo,
spices, and English or French sugar from Yazd. Both tea and white sugar
are rare commodities, and not used by the bulk of the people.
Two caravans travel to India every year, laden chiefly with ghee and
wool; but they have to pay heavy toll to the Afghans or run considerable risk
from want of water on the journey.
Wheat and barley are the staple products of the country. Cotton
. . is grown in small quantities, as also opium
and tobacco, the two latter being of very
inferior quality. Good turnips and a little pulse and millet are also
produced. Round the villages, melons, grapes, and occasionally fruit trees are
oultivated ; but, with the exception of melons, the Sistan fruit is not equal
to that of other parts of Persia. Pomegranates, oranges, apricots, and peaches
come under this category.
It is very difficult to obtain reliable information about the grain crop.
The only sure ways of assessing the amount of grain produced are to
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