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turns N. W. and leads over some low hills. The distance is twelve miles and within four miles of Kohuk is a date grove, in which are a few huts, a spot which bears the name of Geki. At this point there is a marked alteration in the character of the soil and country, and the pleasant green of the underwood and occasional patches of culti vated land is refreshing to the eye, after the barren ugly tract previously traversed. The district now entered, known as the Dusht, a valley or plateau of considerable extent, contains much rich and fertile land, and consequently is comparatively of importance. Its name usually signifying, as it does, a desert plain," has led to this tract being described as a dry barren one, when, in point of fact, it is one of the most flourishing portions of Mekran. The river or Khor, named the " Dusht," flows through the valley in a south-westerly direction, fertilizing the land, and enriching it with a quantity of alluvium which it brings down at certain seasons, and reaches the sea near Jewni to the westward of Ras Pishkan. It must not, however, be supposed that the " Khor Dusht" is at all times a continuous stream from source to mouth; unfortunately, it is only after rains that it deserves the name of river at this point in its course. At other times, though starting and continuing for a considerable distance in the character of a flowing stream, the dry sandy soil of Mekran soon checks its course and so far absorbs its waters that the deeper pools alone remain. When heavy rains occur higher up the country, this river, every where receiving contributions of water from the hills on either side, rapidly rises. At such times an immense body of water suddenly appears in the Dusht, and the banks of the Khor are inundated for a considerable distance. So sudden, sometimes, is the irruption, that the inhabitants are unaware of its approach until the flood is on them, and in this manner many lives are said to be lost. As the land thus flooded dries up, the inhabitants lose no time in taking advantage of its fertile condition to throw in seed, which seldom fails to prosper. Several villages are situated along the course of the Khor. Further west in the same plateau is situated the fertile flourishing tract named Baho, which is watered by a second Khor flowing from a more westerly source. The light spongy soil of Dusht is well adapted to produce Cotton, and this article is grown in considerable quantities and, I believe, of fair quality; several kinds of grain are also produced. The uncertainty regarding irrigation is, however, necessarily discouraging to extended operations.

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Kohuk.

Kohuk, where I halted, on the 13th, is a village of about 80 huts situated on the north bank of the Khor. A solitary little rocky hillock, the site of a dismantled fort, gives this place its name. The inhabitants engage mostly in agriculture, and though not rich, appear in comfortable circumstances. Supplies may be had in abundance and at moderate rates. I was met on arrival at Kohuk by Kowda Nubbi Bux, the Head-man, with whom I had been for a long time well acquainted. The prefix to his name, "Kowda," is a contraction, I apprehend, of " Kodkhoda," signifying "Master of a house," or "Magistrate," or perhaps "Squire" is the nearest equivalent in English. The principal families in Dusht bear this distinctive name which, though originally indicating a "rank" or position, has, by being extended to followers and retainers, come to have a wider application, and the Kowdaees may now be included in the list of "tribes," or more properly "clans" of Mekran. There are other families to which the same remark applies, such as 'Moularee," Raisee." Nubbi Bux was for several years at feud with Fuqueer Mahomed and Futteh Khan Gitchki, and on one occasion, went to Kurrachee to petition the Commissioner in Sind on the subject. For some time he held out against the Naib in the little fort of Kohuk, and several lives were lost on both sides. Subsequently, Nubbi Bux took refuge in Gwadur. I brought about an interview between him and Fuqueer Mahomed when the latter was on a visit to me at Gwadur, when the possibility of a settlement was discussed. The Naib insisted on the dismantling of the fort of Kohuk as an indispensible term, and to this Nubbi Bux having reluctantly consented, he obtained in other respects good terms. Fuqueer Mahomed performed his promises faithfully, and has since received Nubbi Bux into favour and confidence. Though the latter is now living in comparative comfort and affluence in his own village, I doubt if he is reconciled by this consideration to the loss of importance entailed by the dismantling of his little fort. The central part of Dusht from Kohuk for some distance along the river is immediately under Nubbi Bux, who is held responsible for the Khan's dues by the Naib. The inhabitants hereabouts are divided into Dushtees and Kowdaees. I passed the day at Kohuk, receiving every attention and courtesy. The heat was great (100° in the shade) and towards evening a south-westerly breeze brought thick clouds of fine blinding dust up the valley.

Next morning (the 14th) I set out for Kuntadar, a fort and village also situated on the Khor, and about 12 miles N. E. of Kohuk. The name is de

Kuntadar.

rived from a Belooch word signifying "trunk of a palm tree." The road from Kohuk lies along the left bank of the Khor through jungle and occasional Cotton fields and other cultivation. On a bend of the Khor stands the mud fort of Kuntadar on an eminence, and round its base are clustered some 200 huts. The headman of the village, Kowda Dad Kerim, with whom I was acquainted, had gone on a visit to India, but his brother named Suleiman, received myself and party with courtesy, and the few supplies needful were readily procured.

From Kuntadar to Kej is one rather long stage. I estimated the distance at 20 miles. Wishing to arrive at Kalatok early on the 15th I left Kuntadar at 7 P.M. on the 14th. The road for six miles led in a north-easterly direction to a range of hills, which are crossed by an easy ascent. The Khor flows through the hills further west, and is not seen till near Kej.

These hills form the northern boundary of the Dusht, and separate it from the valley in which Kej is situated. The latter valley deserves attention, being a remarkable feature in the geography of Mekran. From the eastern extremity of the province of Kolwah two parallel mountain ranges extend unbroken to the borders of the Persian provinces, a distance of at least 250 miles. The direcThe Dummok or Valley. tion of these two chains is, in general, from E. N. E. to W. S. W., and as far as my own observation enables me to judge they preserve a distance between them of from 12 to 20 miles. In the strut like valley thus formed is situated the greater proportion of the important places of Mekran, and it probably contains more fertile land than all the rest of the eastern division. The eastern portion of this valley for 60 miles is occupied by the province of Kolwah. Further west a river enters the valley from the north, and turning westward flows through the centre; on it are situated Sami and Kej. Westward of Kej in the same valley are Nusseerabad, Toomp, Mund, and Pisung, all considerable settlements. As far west as Toomp, the whole of this tract is subject to the Khan of Kelat. The next large settlement west of that is Mund, which is a sort of debatable land, being inhabited by the lawless thieving Rinds, who disown alike the authority of the

Khan and of Persia, neither will they acknowledge the authority of any one Chief of their own.

The next place, Pisung, is at the present day subject to the authority of the Persian Deputy. The mountain chains on either side of this valley are at some points very lofty and are not altogether uninhabited. Amongst their recesses are fertile spots where dates, apples, and other fruits are said to thrive. These spots are inhabited by wild Belooch tribes, who likewise own considerable flocks of goats and sheep. A coarse woollen fabric is manufactured by these hill people, and fetches a good price in the plains.

The valley just described, as well as all similar valleys lying between ranges of hills, is called a "Dummok" in Beloochee. This is worth noticing, as in some maps one sees a hill called Koh Dummok, evidently from a misapprehension.

The next place at which I halted being one of the forts of the Kej group, before proceeding with the account of my route it will be necessary to attempt a general description of Kej.

Kej.

From the fact of Kej being generally mentioned as the capital or chief town of Mekran, one not unnaturally comes to think of it as an extensive city, possessing its markets, streets, and buildings. A visit quickly dispels any such notion, as there is nothing to be found at Kej which deserves more than the name of village. It is difficult to fix on the proper term under which to speak of Kej, which name is employed to indicate a "settlement," in which are situated a number of forts and villages; and here, be it remarked, this is the system universally adopted throughout Mekran. All the principal places usually considered as towns, such as Punjgoor, Toomp, Kolanch, Baho, Dizak, &c., being in point of fact "Abadees"

or

"settlements," extending for several miles, and including, under the general name, villages and forts each bearing its distinctive appellation.

The "Abadee" Kej then is situated in the centre of the valley, between two lofty ranges of hills, here about 12 miles apart. The fertile and inhabited portion which constitutes the "Abadee" extends east and west about a dozen miles on either side of the river, here named " Kej" Khor, but lower down met with under the name of Dusht Khor. The whole breadth of Kej is not more than three miles, the rest of the valley between it and the hills being barren and stony land. The fine groves of date trees which line the banks of the Khor form the most prominent

Miri.

feature in the scenery. Karezes or artificial watercourses intersect the land in all directions, flowing through the groves and irrigating the fields which skirt them. Several forts and villages are situated along the banks of the Khor, but being concealed amongst the date trees are not seen until close by, with the exception of the Miri, or palace, which has a good elevation. The principal places of Kej are the "Miri," Killa-i-Now, Gushtung, Turbut, Abser, Kahowe-i-Kalat, Sengi Kalat, and Kalatok, each of which consists of a mud fort of greater or less pretension, surrounded by a cluster of huts. The Miri is the most remarkable and strongest of the Kej forts; in former times the residence of the local Chiefs of Kej, it is now appropriated to the Naib, or Deputy, who resides here on the part of the Khan of Kelat. It is situated north of the Khor, nearly in the centre of Kej, and built on a hill which commands the surrounding country. Constructed of mud intermixed with round stones, it would be incapable of defence against artillery, but in Mekran, where cannon are rarely seen, the place is considered next to impregnable. On inquiring the date of its foundation, I was informed that it was built by Bahman, or Ardeshir, son of Isfandyar, of the first dynasty of Persian monarchs, who, legend says, met his death in Kej. Mekran I was told was a province of the Persian empire, and the kings, on the occasion of a tour through their provinces, were wont to cause some work to be constructed as a memento of their visit. Thus in Kej two Karezes were shown me, which are named " Kaoosee" and " Kaikhosrooee," the construction of which popular account ascribes to the ancient monarchs whose names they bear. Another piece of information afforded me is curious enough, viz: that Mekran was the penal settlement for Persian convicts, from whom sprang the original Mekrani race. As I have been frequently told the name "Mekran" is from " Makar," deceit, and means country of rogues," perhaps the two statements may be matched together.

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Two old guns, one a 32 pounder, both dismounted and useless, were lying in the "Miri." At the foot of the hill is a village of some 150 wretched-looking habitations. Two Hindoos reside in it; the other places in Kej will be further mentioned en route.

Mir Fuqueer Mahomed Bezunjoo is at present the Naib of Kej, and exercises in the name of the Khan chief authority throughout the Province. The

Inhabitants.

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