BALUCHISTAN. j
I '
!
33
been broken, diplomatic relations were discontinued with the Kheldt (or Baluchistan) State at the end of 1S74. Baluchistan soon commenced to feel the effects of the withdrawal of the support of the British Government. It sank into such disorder, that the Government of India found itself compelled to interfere. At the desire of the Baliich ruler and his feudatories. Captain Sandeman, accompanied by a strong escort of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, was sent, in April 1876, to Khelat, with a view to settle the disputes between the Khan and his chiefs, and to renew the friendly relations between the British and Baluch States. In due time he accomplished both objects; and in December 1876, it was arranged that the Khan of Khelat, with his principal vassals, should visit the frontier station of Jacobabad, in order to meet the Viceroy, Lord Lytton. At this interview, the Treaty of 1854, with certain articles added to it, was renewed on the 8th of December 1876 jnde Blue Book, No. 2. Papers relating
—
to the Treaty with Khelat, published 1877, pp. 314-316].
Their meeting was of the most satisfactory nature.
The Khan
felt
he would receive from the British Government, substantial aid in maintaining the peace of the country. A proposal frequently urged by former political officers, of forming a police for the protection of the traffic through the Bolan Pass, was sanctioned ; and at the Khan’s desire it was agreed that a British Agent should again permanently that in future
j
reside at his Court.
Subsequently, the Khan, with his principal chiefs, attended the Grand
1
Darbar at Delhi, for the purpose of proclaiming the Queen Empress of India, on the ist of January 1877. On the Khan’s return to Khelat, the British Agent received the title of Governor-General’s Agent for Baluchistan, and he was further directed In September 1878, Sher Ruler of the neighbouring State of Afghanistan, refused to
to station a portion of his escort at Quetta. Ali, the
Emperor of Government found
receive a British envoy, while he admitted one from the
In
Russia. it !
November
of the
same
year, the British
necessary to send an army into Afghanistan in three columns, one by
the Khaibar Pass, one by the
Kuram
valley,
and one by the Bolan
Pass, via Baluchistan.
As soon
was made aware of the impendand the Amir of Afghanistan, he at
as the Ruler of Baluchistan
ing hostilities between the British
once placed
at
our disposal the resources of his country, sending his
son and heir-apparent to accompany the General in
army passing through
command
of the
his dominions.
I
'
The
territories of
I
Baluchistan are
now comprised under
the following
—Jhalawan, Sarawan, Khelat, Makran, Lus, Kachh-Gandava, and Kohistan. Physical Aspects — Much of country unexplored describing divisions
.
this
is
in
