Sarawan
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
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Sarawan
Physical aspects
The northern of the two great highland divisions of the Kalat State, Baluchistan, as distinguished from the southern or Jhalawan division. It lies between 28 57' and 30 8' N. and 66 14' and 67 31' E., and is bounded on the east by Kachhi ; on the west by the Garr hills, a continuation of the Khwaja Amran ; on the north by the Quetta-Pishin, Bolan Pass, and Sibi Districts' and on the south by the Jhalawan country. The total area of the country is 4,339 square miles. It consists of a series of parallel mountain ranges running north and south and enclosing valleys, sometimes of considerable extent, which lie at an elevation of Physical from f eet a bove sea-level. Reckoning a, principal mountain ranges are the Nagau, Bhaur, and Zamuri hills, which border on Kachhi ; and the Bangulzai hills, with the peaks of Moro and Dilband. Southward of these lies the fine Harboi range, about 9,000 feet high. West- ward again the Koh-i-mSran (10,730 feet) forms another parallel ridge.
Next, the Zahri-ghat ridge commences from the Chiltan hill and skirts the Mastung valley to the east, while two more minor ranges separate it from the westernmost ridge, the Garr hills. Most of these moan- tains are bleak, bare, and barren, but the Harboi and Koh-i-maran contain jumper trees and some picturesque scenery. The drainage of the country is carried off northward by the Shlrlnab and Sarawan rivers. Except in flood time, each contains only a small supply of water, disappearing and reappearing throughout its course. The Shirinab rises to the south-east of Kalat. It is joined by the Mobi and Gurglna streams, and eventually falls into the PISHIN LORA under the name of the Shorarad or Shar-rod. The Sarawan river rises in the Harboi hills and joins the Bolan near Bibi Nani.
The principal peaks of the country consist of massive limestone : and Cretaceous beds of dark, white, and variegated limestone, some- times compact, sometimes shaly in character, occur. Sandstones, clays, and conglomerates of Stwalik natuie have also been found. The botany of Sarawan resembles that of the Quetta-Pishin Dis- trict. Orchards, containing mulberry, apricots, peaches, pears, apples, almonds, and grapes, abound m the valleys. Poplars and willows grow wherever there is water, and tamarisk is abundant in the river- beds. In the spring many plants of a bulbous nature appear, includ- ing tulips and irises. The hill-sides are covered with southernwood (Artemisia) and many species of Astragali. Mountain sheep and Sind ibex occur in small numbers. Foxes are trapped for their skins, and hares afford coursing to local sportsmen.
From April to September the climate is dry, bright, bracing, and healthy. The winter, especially round Kalat, which receives heavy falls of snow, is severe. Except in the east, near Barari, the heat in summer is nowhere intense. The rain* and snowfall generally occur in winter, from January to March. The annual rainfall averages about y-| inches, of which 6 inches aie received in winter and if in summer.
History
The Sarawan country formed part of the Ghazmvid and Ghorid empires, and fell into the hands of the Arghuns towards the end of the fifteenth centuiy. From them it passed to the Mughals until, towards the end of the seventeenth century, Mir Ahmad of Kalat acquired Mastung from Agha Jafar, the Mughal governor. Henceforth Mastung remained under Kalat and was the scene of an engagement between Ahmad Shah Durrani and Nasir Khan I in 1758, in which the Afghans were at first defeated, but Ahmad Shah afterwards advanced and assaulted Kalat. During the first Afghan War, the country was one of the districts assigned by the British in 1840 to Shah Shuja-ul-mulk, but it was restored to Kalat in 1842. During 1840 the Sarawan tribesmen revolted and placed Nasir Khan II on the throne. In 1871 another rebellion occurred, and the Brahuis received a crushing defeat from Mir Khudadad Khan at Khad near Mastung. In 1876 the latter place was the scene of the memor- able settlement effected by Sir Robert Sandeman between Khudadad Khan and his rebellious chiefs.
Curious mounds situated in the centre of the valleys occur through- out the country. Two of the largest are Sampur in Mastung and Karbukha in Mungachar. They are artificial, being composed of layers of soil, ashes, and broken pottery.
KALAT TOWN, and Mastung, the head-quarters of the Political Agent, are the only towns. The country possesses 298 permanent villages. The population in 1901 was 65,549 Most of the people make their way to Kachhi in the winter. PU The centre of the country is inhabited by the cultivating classes known as Dehwars, Khorasanis, and Johanis, most of whom are sub- jects of the Khan of Kalat. In the surrounding hills and vales live the tribesmen composing the Sarawan division of the Brahui con- federacy. They include the Lahris (5,400), Bangulzais (9,000), Kurds (3,100), Shahwanis (6,300), Muhammad Shahis (2,800), Rai- sanis (2,400), and Sarparras (900), all of whom are cultivators and flock-owners. In this categoiy must also be included the numerous Langav cultivators of Mungachar (i 7,000). All the Muhammadans are of the Sunni sect. A few Hindu traders are scattered heie and there. Most of the wealthier men possess servile dependants. Artisans' work is done by Loris. The prevailing language is Brahui ; but the Langavs, some of the Bangulzais, and a few other clans speak Baluchi, and the Dehwars a corrupted form of Persian.
Agriculture
Cultivation is carried on in the centre of the valleys, which possess flat plains of a reddish clay soil, highly fertile when irrigated. This is the best soil and is known as matt, mat mat, or hanaina. Dark loam is known as siyahzamln. The greater part Afincu ture< of the cultivable area is < dry crop ' (k/wshkaba). Owing to the scanty rainfall, it seldom produces a full out-turn oftener than once in four or five years. The principal 'dry-crop ' areas are Naimuk, Gwanden, the Bhalla Dasht or Dasht-i-bedaulat, Kabo, Ktiak, Khad, the Chhappar valley, and Gurgina. Kalat, Mungachar, Mastung, and Johan are the best irrigated areas. Irrigation is derived from underground water- channels (karez), which number 247, from springs, and from streams. Many of the karez are dry at present. Fine springs occur at Kahnak in Mastung, at Kalat, Dudran near Chhappar, and Iskalku ; and the Sarawan and Shlrmab rivers afford a small amount of irrigation. The principal crop is wheat, the flour of which is the best in Baluchistan. In 'wet-crop ' areas lucerne, tobacco, and melons are produced in large quantities. Johan tobacco is famous. The cultivation of onions and potatoes is increasing. Fine orchards are to be seen at Mastung and Kalat ; and in the former place, where mulberries abound, experiments are being made in the introduction of sericulture.
The sheep are of the fat-tailed variety, and goats and camels are numerous. The best of the latter are to be found in Mungachar. Fine horses are bred, the principal breeders being the Shahwanis, Garrani Bangulzais, Muhammad Shahis, and some Langavs. The number of branded mares is 179, and 12 Government stallions are at stud in summer. Mungachar donkeys are of large size. The bullocks are short and thick-set.
The chief forest tract is the Harboi range, which is well covered with juniper. Pistachio forests also occur here and there. Tribal rights exist in most of the forests, and portions are occasionally re- served for fodder. No systematic reservation is attempted by the State. Great care of pistachio-trees is taken by the people when the fruit is ripening. Coal is worked in the Sor range, and traces of the same mineral have been found neai Mastung. Ferrous sulphate exists in the Melabi mountain.
Trade and Communication
The wool of sheep and goatb, of which there is a large production in the country, is utilized in the manufacture of felts (thappur\ rugs in the dari stitch (kont and shift), saddle-bags (khurjln)^ commutations. and overcoats (*r and shat). The best rugs are manufactured by the Badduzai clan of the Bangul- zais. All women do excellent needlework. Embroidered shoes and sandals, which are made at Kalat and Mastung, are popular.
The chief trading centres are Mastung and Kalat. The exports consist chiefly of wool, ghl, wheat, tobacco, melons, carbonate of soda, sheep, and medicinal drugs ; and the imports of cotton cloth, salt, iron, sugar, dates, and green tea. Caravans carry tobacco, wheat, and cloth to Panjgur in Makran, and return laden with dates.
The Mushkaf-Bolan section of the North- Western Railway touches the country, and the Quetta-Nushki line traverses its northern end.
A metalled road, 88-| miles long, built in 1897 and since slightly im- proved at a total cost of 3^ lakhs of rupees, runs from Quetta to Kalat. Communications from north to south are easy. From west to east the tracks follow two main lines : from Kardgap through the Mastung valley and over the Nishpa pass to the Bolan, and through Mungachar and Johan to Narmuk and to Bibl Nani in the Bolan Pass. Communica- tions with the Mastung valley are being improved by the construction of tracks over several of the passes.
Famine
The country is liable to frequent scarcity, but owing to the number of kdrez it is the best-protected part of the State. The nomadic habits of the people afford a safeguard against .
famine ; and, even in years when rainfall is insuffi- cient for * dry-crop ' cultivation, they manage to subsist on the pro- duce of their flocks, supplemented by a small quantity of grain.
Administration
For purposes of administration the people, rather than the area, may be divided into two sections : namely, those subject to the direct jurisdiction of the Khan of Kalat, and those belong- . , . . ing to tribal groups, 1 he principal groups constituting each section have been named above. The areas subject to the Khan are divided into the two nidbats of Mastung and Kalat. The Mastung nidbat forms the charge of a mitstaufi^ who is assisted by a naib and a 'd-nashm. Kalat is in charge of a naib. The Brahui tribesmen are subject to the control of their chiefs, who in their turn are supervised by the PoliticaJ Agent through the Native Assistant for the Sarawan country and the Political Adviser to the Khan. For this purpose thdna- ddrs, recruited from the Brahuis, are posted at Alu, Mastung, and Mungachar. In the Khan's nidbats the various officials deal with both civil and criminal cases, subject to the supervision of the Political Adviser to the Khan. Cases among the tribesmen, or cases occurring between subjects of the Khan and the tribesmen, are disposed of by the Political Agent or his staff, and are generally referred to jirgas. Cases for the possession of land or of inheritance are sometimes deter- mined by local kdzis according to Muhammadan law.
Mastung and Kalat-i-Nichara, i. e. Kalat and the neighbourhood, are mentioned in the Am-i-Aklarl as paying revenue in kind and furnishing militia to Akbar. The only part of the country which has been sur- veyed is Kahnak, where, owing to disputes between the Rustamzai clan of the Raisani tribe and the chief section, a record-of-rights was made in 1899. The land is vested in a body of cultivating proprietors, who either pay revenue or hold revenue free. The rate of revenue varies from one-fourth to one-tenth of the produce, and is generally taken either by appraisement or by an actual share. Of the areas subject to the Khan, the revenue of Johan with Gazg is leased for an annual payment in kind, and the same system is followed in other scattered tracts. In the Kalat nidbat, revenue is paid by the cultivators either in kind or in personal service as horsemen, footmen, labourers, and messengers. In Mastung the land revenue is recovered both in kind and at a fixed rate in cash and kind (zarri and kalang). In the case of many of the kdrez in the Mastung and Kalat nidbats, the State, to avoid the trouble of collecting the produce revenue at each harvest, has acquired a proportion of the land and water supplied by a kdrez in perpetuity and converted them into crown property, leaving the remainder of the land and water free of assessment. In 1903 the revenue of each nidbat was as follows : Mastung, Rs. 92,800 \ Kalat, Rs. 32,700 ; Johan with Gazg, Rs* 1,200 ; total, Rs. 1,26,700,
KALAT TOWN is the head-quarters of the Khan's military forces, and a regiment of cavalry, 95 sabres strong, is stationed at Mastung. Tribal levies, 32 in number, are posted at Mastung, Alu, and Munga- char. Irregular levies, to the number of 86, maintained by the Khan for the collection of revenue and keeping the peace in his own nidbats, are stationed at Kalat. There is a small jail at Mastung and a lock-up at Alu.
During the second Afghan War, the Sarawan chiefs rendered good .service in guarding communications and providing supplies, in recogni- tion of which the British Government granted personal allowances to some of them. These payments have since been continued, to assist the sardars in maintaining their prestige and in keeping order among their tribesmen, and amount to Rs. 22,800 per annum.
Education is neglected. A few persons of the better class keep tmdlds to teach their sons, and a school, which promises to be well attended, is about to be opened at Mastung. 'Two dispensaries are maintained, one by the British Government and the other by the Kalat State. The total number of patients in 1903 was 8,919, and the total cost Rs. 5,300. Inoculation is practised by Saiyids, who generally get fees at the rate of eight annas for a boy and four annas for a girl
