BALUCHISTAN.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 August 1919, Page 3

BALUCHISTAN.

With the ink hardly dry on the peace treaty between Britain and Afghanistan, there comes further trouble on the Indian North-west Frontier, where the Bauchis have raided a British post, and where the tribes are reported to be still unsettled. Baluchistan, -has now for a considerable space of time been wholly under British rule, the Khan of Khelat ruling only a portion of the country. Certain tribes in the most rugged areas are, however, virtually independent, and it is likely that it is some of these who are responsible for the recent trouble. The natives are not of one blood, being divided into two races, the Baluehis and the Brahnis, different in language, manners, and appearances. T-he Brahnis are the finer race physically, while the Baluchis are more warlike and pre-dator-y_ Both are hospitable and brave, and inured to fatigue; Some I is». V...lns, others are nomadic. The language of_the Baluehis suggests a Persian origin, that of the Brahnis being more allied to the Hindu. Manufacture is of the most primitive kind, and While the rugged nature of the country precludes agriculture on a large scale, patient industry produces fairly good crops in the sheltered valloys. As is to be expected, such a country cannot support a large populetion, and there are little more than half a million people in the 130,000 square miles which Baluchistan covers. The part ruled by Britain is that lying nearest to India, with Quet-ta as its chief centre, this, in fact, having been annexed to the Indian Empire.