Page 375 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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Before entering into detail^ l would premise that the Khan of Kelat. is unmistakably the
sole representative of sovereign power recognized at the present day in Baluchistan. If Nussir
Khan was a feudatory at all, it was only when Ahmed Shah of Candahar was strong enough
li» beat him in the Held ; and when Ahmed Shah or his successors failed to achieve this end,
Nussir Klinu was independent. There, was then no right or justice in the matter, any more
than in the ignored claim of Persia to the same privileges, when the tribes of Baluchistan
revolting against the successor of Nussir Khau, and so destroying their own confederacy,
became a comparatively easy prey to more powerful nations about them. But, except where
a tribe passed over voluntarily to the service of a foreign Slate, no acknowledgment of
subservience on the part of local riders was implied. Of the Mckran districts of Baluchistan,
none was of greater note in the days of short-lived Beluch nationality than Kej, which
contained the capital.
“ This district, though the scene of many revolutions, remains true to its old allegiance, and
still serves the Khan. The term * Kej Mckran ’*
* Kej—commonly called “ Kej Mckran,” in- can J,ar(}ly 1JC restricted to the province of Nussir
Brahui; for a century before hi, time wc
Bolnidi and Mund. find mention by Mandolslo of Gctsehe Mac-
gucrona/ which must he the same words differently
spelt. If intended by Mnrtinicrc (A. T). 1735) in the word 1 Kisch, petite province de Perse/
it may have belonged to Persia before the days of Nadir; but the fact that many old authors
and travellers would so class it docs not cany much weight, for who among them has
described or attempted to describe the country? The popular charts of the Indian Navy call
the whole line of coast, from Cape Jask to Karachi, the ‘ Coast of Persia/ but this circum­
stance will not pass as historical evidence.
“Native historians, if the term can be used for mere tellers of tradition, make the
earliest rulers of Kej to have been the Malikab Beluchis. The town was at that remote period
the capital of Mckran and the seat of Government.. The province extended to Bampur and
Minab ou the west, and Punjgur and Kohva on the east, all which places it comprised within
its limits. Such a range explains Captain Grant's reference to the eight passes into Mckran
between Minab and Kelat. A tiibe called Bulaidi dispossessed tlic Malikahs, and were them­
selves reduced by the Persians. The Bulaidis -were reinstated, and we are then brought to the
period of Nadir Shah, who, as before slated, made over the whole of Baluchistan, inclusive of
Kelat and Mckran, to Nussir Khan Brahui. Fora time the Gilehki Chiefs of Kej resisted
the latter, hut were eventually subdued. On the death of Nussir Khan they broke off their
allegiance from his successor, Mahomed, but Kej was again recovered to Kelat by Mahomed's
son, Mehrab Khan.
“The seven places first marginally noted arc petty Chiofdoms, and have their own
acknowledged Sirdars, all admitting the authority
Supra margin.
of Faquir Mahomed of Kej, and the sovereignty
of Kelat. Mir Morad Gitchki, Mir Esa Gitchki, Mir Murad Noushirwani, Nubbi Bukhsh
Kodi, and Hurrah Bind have been named to me as the I’csjjcetive Chiefs, the first haviug no
less than three of the tenures—Toomp, Nussirabad, and Nagorc. The division is noteworthy
as proof of the great influence of these Gitehkis,t who, to the present hour, advance a claim to
share in the revenues of Kej, which they assert has never been forfeited. In dealing with
this tribe, baquir Mahomed has greatly strengthened his position by a marriage with the
sister of their Chief, Mir Bavan. Bulaidi does not call for special mentiou. Mund is situated
somewhere between Sirbaz and the Dus lit, and might form a good theme for future report.
I saw and conversed with some of its inhabitants at Gwadur. They arc fine, iudopeudent-
looking fellows, and assured me that they were not subject to Kej or any other State. They
acknowledged their own Chiefs and the Government of their Chiefs, and knew nothing of
tribute or taxes. Lieuteuant Ross eoufirmed the truth of this statement from his own ac­
quaintance with the subject.
** I have already submitted an opinion that ‘ in the present unsettled state of Kelat it is
important to preserve the unity of Kej, the province whose western frontier may be held to
represent generally the line at which Persian aggression and intrigue have rested.' That
opiniou I would now deferentially repeat. Faquir Mahomed, Chief of the Bezunjo Brahuis*
is Governor of the district of Kej and dependencies, under the sovereign control of Kelat '
ITe is a man of considerable local influence, has long occupied his present post, and is qualific
to govern by, at least, family position and natural energy of character. 11 is connection lv
marriage with Mir Dayan Gilehki, and the similarity of family interests between Mirs Bayau
and Abdullah, render it a probability that either Kej will 'follow iu the wake of Geli and
Sirhaz, or the direct contrary. A medium course is not likely. Faquir Mahomed will, most
probably, hold his own, hut it is well to anticipate either contingency.
“ Unacquainted with the immediate state of affairs in Kelat, and knowing tliut officers
of great experience are still giving their attention to the subject, 1 neither feel competent nor
authorized to intrude any suggestion as to our past, present, or future policy with the Khan ;
but I may be warranted in submitting that the aspect of affairs from the westward leads to a
hope that any aid in money or otherwise, henceforward given to the Khan, may not he void of
effect upon Faquir Mahomed, or without fruit in the district over which he rules. Should no such
t A email monthly ponsion has bccu given for many yo»re to tbo widow or daugblor of a Gilohki Chief.
Shah Billal, by the Imam of Muek.it.