'Report on Sistan and the Country Between It and Mashad' [‎47r] (98/118)

49
Taking them as a whole, the inhabitants of Birjand are a fine race, and
properly trained under European officers, they would make fairly good soldiers.
TV ken their late Amir was besieged in Nasirabad by the Sistanis, a force
As soldiers inarched from Birjand to his relief, variously estimated
at from 6,000 to 12,000 men. In view of such con
tingencies in the future, the Amir is said to have stored some thousands of
guns in Birjand with which to arm the peasantry.
These would be, no doubt, guns of native manufacture, but they shoot
very straight up to 100 yards.
Persians live much better than Indians. Their dome-roofed mud houses
Mode of life are superior to those of an Indian village. Very good
bread can be obtained anywhere. It is made of whole
meal, wheat and barley mixed.
Even the poorest people eat meat, and generally very good mutton,
which can be bought in any bazar. Wages are more than twice as high as
in India.
I regret that the above report is not as complete and may not be as
reliable as I could have wished. I had, however, several difficulties to contend
against. First, the 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. supplied to me by the Consulate at Mashad, and
on whom I was dependent for a great part of my infor
mation, was not at all a reliable mao. Secondly, I was
followed by spies from the Russian Consulate, who, it is feared, succeeded in
bribing my 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. . I do not think he supplied them with more than general
information regarding my movements and dealings with the chiefs. The
details he had written down in a book, which J took from him before be knew
that he was suspected of double dealing. Thirdly, the Amir of Birjand was
openly hostile to me, and I could only obtain information when I threw his
spies oh the scent. For instance, on my return journey he had me followed
to Kain ; thence 1 made one march in the Khaf direction, which satisfied his
emissary that I was leaving the country, and he returned to Kain. I then
traversed Zirkuh and Sunikhana, finding the people most friendly, until I
was again found out. The Amir of Birjand was, I believe, acting under
orders from the Governor of Mashad, who had opposed my journey from the
commencement.
Persian 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. .
Lastly, it was originally intended that I should spend two seasons in
Sistan, so I had calculated on being able to verify and complete my report.
Still I think on the whole the estimate of the population and resources
of the country is fairly correct. To obtain absolutely accurate information is
of course impossible, for the people themselves even with the best intentions
could not furnish it.
CHAPTER IV.
ROADS AND STRATEGICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Regarding roads, a detailed account of the routes I traversed in this part
of Persia and round the God-i-Zirreh is being incorporated in the next edi
tion of the Route Book, and will not therefore be reproduced in this report.