Page 387 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CHAPTER V.

Captain Ross’s Reports about Mekran, 1805-68.

44. Captain Ross had been appointed Assistant Political Agent at Gwadur
on completion of the land Telegraph between Karachi and that port in April
1863. Long residence and .association had enabled that officer to furnish muoh
valuablo information on the politics of the Mekran Coast and neighbourhood.
In 18G5, he submitted an interesting memorandum cf notes on Mekran which
is printed in the Journal of the Bombay
Political A, January I860, Nob. 132 136.
Geographical Society, Volume XVIII.
In January 18CG Captain Ross submitted a report on the trade and revenue
of Gwadur printed as appendix to the Precis.
On the 20th April 18G7 Captain Ross writes :—
“On a range of low hills north of Sudaich there is a pile of stones which goes by the
name of ‘ Malek Chedar/ or Malek’s boundary.
Report on tho Coast of Mekrua from Capo Jask
to Gwadar. This, native tradition asserts, was raised by an
Political Divisions. independent Prince or Malek of Mekran to mark
the limit of his kingdom. Nussir Khan of
Kelat ext«uded his sway to this point, it is 6nid. A line from this pillar to Sudaich, or the
Sudaich river, will about describe the bouadary of tho Biubaa on the one 6ide, and the
territory under Mir Abdullah on the other.
“Mir Abdullah, the Chief of Geh, is invested by the Persian authorities with power to
collect tribute on their behalf. He exercises authority directly over tho tract between the
Biaban and Charbar, and indirectly over that between Charbar and tho Khan of Kelat* s
bouudary. He is himself of Gitchki descent, and conneoted with the Bolaidi family, the
former Chiefs. He is excessively unpopular on account of the heaviness of his exactions of
tribute; but probably he has no choice, being the servant of others.
“ There are no local Chiefs of consequence residing near the sea coast between Jask and
Charbar.
“Charbar, as is well kuown, belongs to the Sultan of Musoat, on whose part a Wali is
resident.
“ A few miles east of Charbar the territory directly ruled by the Judgal Chiefs is entered*
The bead of the family is Din Mahomed, who resides in Dustyari, and rules the western half.
Mahomed Ali, his cousin, has Balio for his share. Both are controlled by Mir Abdullah, and
pay tribute to Persia. I have had opportunities of making acquaintance with both of them.
At Baho Kelat resides Yar Mahomed, Chief of the Hotes, in this district: he holds out
against payment of tribute to Persia. At Nigor and other places there are miuor Chiefs of
the Judgal family.
u The boundary of the Baho distriet is a few miles west of Drabol Hill, about the centre
of Gwettur Bay. To the east of that is the Dusht district, which is under Kej.”
45. Again, in a later and more comprehensive Report,* addressed to the
1868. Commissioner in Sind, there is much
Forwarded to Government of Bombay in Jaly useful matter on the districts of the
1868. Perso-Beluoh frontier:—
u Baho and Dustyari.—Tho boundary between Dusht and Baho, on the coast, is about
the centre of Gwettur Bay, near the hill, named Drabol; and here terminates the Khan of
Kelat’s dominion. Thence to Charbar intervene the Districts Baho and Dustyari, which are
usually coupled together. These districts are uow under the immediate government of the
Judgal Chiefs, Din Mahomed and Mahomed Ali, who, however, make their bow to Mir
Abdullah Khan, who reoeives the surplus revenue for Persia, and exercises general control.
The amount is not p fixed sum, but averages about Rupees 5,000 for both disfcriots. The latter
are considered rich ; camels are plentiful, and there is more than the average of cultivated land.
“ Kill eh.—Is a term applied to the tract of country between Charbar and tho territory
farmed by Muscat, and is expressive of the westerly situation of tho district, with referenoe to
the rest of Mekran. This tract forms portiou of the Geh District, which is the estate of Mir
Abdullah Khan.
“ Kej.—Kej, as a division, properly comprises several districts that have been treated
separately, such as Dasht, Kolanoh, etc. It is taken now in its less extensive 6euse, as applied
to a town or cluster of forts and villages. Originally this town, if it may be termed ao, was
* Printed at tho Education Society’s Proas, Byculla, iu 1868.