Personal Observations on Sindh; the manners and customs of its inhabitants, and its productive capabilities: with a sketch of its history, a narrative of recent events, and an account of the connection of the British Government with that country, etc

Front matter

Printed by C.HuH-innna.l. A :B<llM.'l'_lilJI S-O-MDIIE F3 \ I" IHHHTIDIU TJRADM R 0> IF §____.__. _EL. ■ j PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS ppN SINDH; THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF ITS INHABITANTS and ITS PRODUCTIVE CAPABILITIES: WITH A SKETCH OF ITS HISTORY, A NARRATIVE OF .RECENT EVENTS, AND an account of THE CONNECTION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WITH THAT COUNTRY TO THE PRESENT PERIOD. BT T. POSTANS, m.r.a.s. BT. CAPTAIN, BOMBAY ARMY, ANT> I.ATF, ASSISTANT TO THE POLITICAL AGENT IN SINDH AND BILUCHISTAN. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS, PATKRNOSTKR-ROW. 1843. London : Printed by A. Spottiswoodb, New-Street-Square. TO MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HENRY POTTINGER, BART. G.C.B., HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S PLENIPOTENTIARY IN CHINA, AND FORMERLY RESIDENT AT THE COURTS OF CUTCH AND SINDH, THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST ESTEEM AND REGARD, 1!\ THE AUTHOR A

Introduction

. In introducing a work like the following to the public, but few words appear to be necessary: the only object of the author is to convey informa tion respecting a country which now occupies a large share of general attention, and concerning which much that has been written is in a scanty and disjointed form. Having enjoyed unusual advantages for collecting his materials, the author offers them to the public without apology for their style or manner, though with every wish that his work may contribute to afford additional knowledge concerning the value and interests of the great empire possessed by the British in India. Where authorities have been consulted, the author ac knowledges those of, " Pottinger's Biluchistan," " Captain M'Murdo in Journal of Asiatic Society," "Wood's Oxus," Third Volume of "Lieutenant Burnes' Travels," " Dr. Burnes' Visit to the a VI

INTRODUCTION.

. Court of Sindh," and "Crow's Reports." The history of the country was originally published in a translation made from the Persian by the author. For the reports by those officers who have studied the peculiarities of the Indus and its navigation, the kindness of Rear- Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm, late superintendant of the Indian navy, has been particularly acknowledged by the author in his Ap pendix. London, July, 1843. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Frontispiece. Sindhian Woman ----- Page 20 Pullah Fisherman ----- 38 Biluchi riding Camel .... 44 Pipe ------ 77 Camel drawing Water ... - 84 SindMans travelling - - - 109 Boats on Indus - - - - - 142 Sehwun on the Indus .... 230 Siudh Peasantry - 282 Lui-is, or Biluchi Bards ... - 323 Plan of Battle of Miani 333 Plan of Battle of Duppa - 337 Trophies of Arms ... - 355 A ERRATA. ■ t 14 tor "with S1..IJ1 ironi ' read -from Sinn •15.

Uiil I :. 'inKi bottom, for "sennfli rea '• 'bennalt. '57 line y. for ' Shah Jelan " read •■ Shah Julian" •• 5. the lull 'top after "overturn it (i a\A he .1 -Kfnii oolon. i'ur,. line I. Nasir Klianhdd two sons, the eldest, bcing tbc >hl- .illml i 22-(. lint; 6. from bottom, tor " Tartan ' ••^d " Tartar." . ii ' in line (,. :'n. I th.i innrk dixer ■ inconsiderable" in line tv should be r. mi i'i '.'47. line 9. ft 314 Hjis 11. from bottom, foi Rtitfa md had. " m bottom, Cur >"ga 336. line ] 1 i ■ ■ ■ ■ who lu> ll 18 \iae 5. from bottom, for "two d "twelw j 357. line 8. from ' ■ higher" read " 1 1 if/her " CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Extent of Sindh Title — Whence derived. — Two principal Divisions. — Delta and Southern Division. — Sehwun Narrah River Lake Munchur. — Upper or Northern Division. — - Climate and Seasons. — Great Heat. — Diseases. — Rain unusual. — Hot Winds. — Cold of Upper Sindh. — Climate of Karrachi. — Advantageous Situation of Sindh relatively to the Sea. — Changeable Character of River. — Peculiar Geographical Features of Sindh. — Absence of Roads Natives journeying by River - Page 1

Chapter II

Inhospitable Appearance of the Country — Capable of Improvement. — Coast of Sindh. — Harbour of Karrachi. — Principal Towns. — Karrachi. — Crocola. — Tattah. — Vikkur. — Hyderabad. — Mirpur. — Omarkot. — Sehwun. — Larkhana. — Khyrpur. — Sukkur. — Rori. — Shikarpur. — Tundas. — General Description of Sindhian Towns. — Bazaars. — Routes communicating with Sindh - - - - 21 CHAPTER mr Classification of the Inhabitants of Sindh Mahommedans. — Jutts and cultivating Tribes. — Biluchi military Class. — Feudatories. — Obedience to Chiefs. — Costume. — Women. — Arms. — Character. — Music and Nautch Women. — Seyuds or Holy Men. — Probable Jewish Origin of Biluchis Passion for Field Sports. — Expense of preserving Game — Namesof Biluch Tribes in Sindh. — Miani Fishermen and Boatmen on the Indus - - - - - - X CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Aff'ghans settled in Sindh Persians. — Various military Adventurers. — Hindus. — Lohanas and Bhatias — employed as Revenue Servants. — Disregard of Caste and Religion. — Dispersion over Countries to the North-west — In Sindh principally located at Karrachi and Shikarpur. — Costumes and Manners. — Integrity in Cash Transactions. — Amount of Population in Sindh — Difficulty of estimating — Impoverished Condition of. — Character ascribed to Sindhians. — Language. — Slavery. — Modes of Salutation. — Influx of Foreigners Smoking universal. — Summary of Character. — Influencing Circumstances. - - Page 61

Chapter V

Productive Qualities of Sindh — not estimated by its Possessors. — Prosperity under Hindu Rule. — Soil of Sindh. — Geology. — Dust and Ventilators to Houses — Irrigation — Methods of. — Canals and Water-courses. — Clearing Canals. — System of Husbandry. — Tools employed. — Preservation of Grain. — Seasons for Crops. — Grain Productions. — Wheat. — Juwari. — Other dry Grains. — Oil Plants. — Products of commercial Importance. — Cotton. — Indigo. — Opium. — Sugar-cane. — Hemp. — Tobacco Drugs and Dyes. — Wool. — General Results - - - - - - 80

Chapter VI

Timber of Sindh — small in Size. — Trees. — Dates Luxuriance of Grasses. — Fruits. — Gardens. — Vegetables. — Manufactures. — Ingenuity of Sindhians. — Arms, Belts, Shields, &c Looms of Sindh Lunghi. — Silk Fabrics. — Caps. — Pottery. — Embroidery. — Leather. — Dried Fish.— Animals of Sindh. — Camel. — Camel Saddle. — Riding Camel. — Horses. — Yabus Buftaloes. — Oxen. — Game. — Beasts of Prey. — Abundance of Water-fowl and Fish. — Alligators, Badgers, and Otters - - 99

Chapter VII

River Indus Productive Value. —Fickle Character of Stream. — Obliteration of Ancient Geographical Features. — Former CONTENTS. XI Eastern Course of River. — Inundation — Causes of. — Na tural Phenomena of Indus. — Importance and Difficulties of Navigation. — Steam Boats. — Present Steamers ill adapted. — Description required Native Methods of navigating tlie River. — Description of Dundi. — Zoruck. — Craft too weak for the Stream. — Jumptis of the Amirs — Picturesque Cha racter of Page 114

Chapter VIII

Length of Voyages by Native Craft. ■ — Southerly Winds. — Experimental Steam Trip up the Narrah. — Voyage during Northerly Winds. — Impracticability of Native Method of Navigation. — Fuel for Steamers. — Features of River. — Delta. — Tattah and Hyderabad. — -Arrul and Narrah Branches. — Appreciation of River by Natives. — Water as a Beverage. — Seaports. — Karrachi. — Sea-boats. — Ports in Delta, Higher Indus, and its Tributaries .... 130

Chapter IX

Interest attached to Ancient History of Sindh Alexander's Expedition. — Absence of local Records or Monuments. — Hindu Government. — Cause of Mahommedan Invasion. — Invasion. — Cruel End of Arab General. — Omiade and Abbaside Dynasties. — Sumrahs. — Sumahs. — Urghuns. — Tirkhans. — Akbar Padiisha conquers Sindh — Annexed permanently to Mogul Empire. — Viceroys from Hindostan. — Date of Accession of Kaloras. — General Review. — Ancient Cities. — Former Prosperity of Sindh - - 143

Chapter X

Kalora and Talpur Dynasties. — ■ First Settlement of Kaloras in Sindh. — Adam Shah's Sanctity. — Kaloras obtain Territory. — Punished by the Emperor for Contumacy. — Niir Mahomed obtains Authority. — Nadir Shah invades Sindh, and mulcts Nur Mahomed. — Ghulam Shah and Uttur Khan dispute Succession. — Ghulam Shah prevails. — First Establishment of British Factory. — Uttur Khan intrigues — Is defeated, and submits. — Accession of Sirafraz Khan — His cruelty to Talpurs. — Revolution. — Ubdul Nubi murders Bijar Khan Talpur — and tlees to Kilat ... CONTENTS. XII

CHAPTER XL

Ubdulla Khan Talpur raises the Standard of Sovereignty. — Ubdul Nubi Kalora invades Sindh, assisted by Kilat Chief. — Kaloras defeated. — Ubdiil Nubi supported by Joudpur Rajah — Again defeated — Proceeds to Aflghan Monarch — Obtains Assistance. — Talpur Chief seeks Refuge at Omarkot. — Kaloras reinstated. — Chief commits Outrage and is dethroned. — Mir Futteh Alii Khan Talpur placed on theMusnud. — Kaloras again make head, assisted by the Affghan King — Again defeated. — Zeman Shah demands Arrears of Tribute. — Futteh AUi Khan defends his Pretensions to the Throne of Sindh. — Civil War averted. — Talpur Chief shares the Country with his three Brothers. — Title of Chir Yar or Four Friends. — Character of Talpur Chiefs. — History and Form of Government of Talpurs. — Ismael Shah and Persian Family. — Summary of Sindh History, from Mahommedan to British Conquest ... Page 181

Chapter XII

Sindh Durbars. — Description of Hyderabad. — Fort aud Town. — Visit to Amirs. — Rude Welcome. — Etiquette observed — Hospitality. — General Effect of Sindh Durbar. — Description of Amirs. — Nasir Khan. — Mir Mahomed, or Sobhdar — - Shahdad Khan. — Hussein Alii Khan. — Dissensions aud apparent Anomaly of Form of Government. — Real Stability. — Source of Family Discords. — .Shir Mahomed of Mirpur Khyrpur Durbar. — Town and Fort. — Mir Rustum — Age and Infirmities of. — Family Discords. — Alii Murad. — Character of his Court. — Interior Economy of Household of Sindhian Amirs. — Females. — Education of Princes. — Love of Arms. — Horses. — Passion for Sport. — Scenes at Shikargahs. — Costume of Amirs. — Economy of Time. — Religious Observances. — Vanity of Talpurs. — List of Amirs of Hyderabad and Khyrpur. — General Review of Characters. — Fair Conclusions to be drawn. — Wealth of Chiefs ----- - CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter XIII

Sindhian Form of Government. — Feudal System and Jahgirs to Military Tribes. — Payment of Troops in the Field Inams and Jahgirs to Pirs, Seyuds, and others. — Land Revenue System of Sindh. — Zamindars. — Jumma or Land Rent. — Value of Means of Irrigation neglected. — Duties on Trade. — Town Duties. — Taxes under various Heads. — Farming Revenue on Contracts. — Kardars and Servants of Districts. — Number and Names of Districts. — Police — Administration of Justice. — Dislike of Amirs to capital Punishments. — Mutilation. — Amount of Sindhian Revenue. — Various Estimates. — Hoarded Wealth of Amirs. — General Review of Government of Sindh - Page 231

Chapter XIV

Importance attached to Sindhian Trade. — Exertions of British Government. — Apathy of Chiefs. — Poverty of Sindh as applied to Trade. — Real State and Prospects of Trade, home and provincial. — Internal Trade. — Commerce with Countries to the N.W. — Importance of Shikarpiir. — Exports to Candahar. — No other Trade of any Extent. — Pali Jeysulmir Tattah Manufactures exported. — Commerce how to be extended. — Indus. — Steam Navigation. — Hindii System of Trade Central Asia not to be abandoned commercially. — Effects of Steam Navigation. — Time, Risk, and Expense saved. — Biluchistan and Kilat. — Countries of Upper Indus how at present supplied. — Change to be effected. — General Review. — Weights and Measures of Sindh — Value of Currency ... 260

Chapter XV

First Connection of British with Sindh Immunities granted by Ghiillam Shah Kalora. — Connection dissolved. — Commercial Mission, 1799. — Expulsion of British Agent. — Mr. Smith's Mission of 1809. — Treaty of 1820. — Force of Observation assembled in 182.5. — Mission to Sindh under Col. Pottinger, 1832 — Satisfactory Result. — Commercial Treaty CONTENTS. XIV of 1834. — Scale of Tolls on Boats. —Lieut. (Sir A.) Burnes* Voyage up the Indus to Lahore. — Permission granted to survey Delta and Sea-coast. — Steamer sent to Hyderabad. — State of Matters with Sindh politically and commercially, up to 1838 ... - - 283

Chapter XVI

Caubul Campaign of 1838. — Bombay Army lands in Sindh. — Promises of Chiefs to provide Supplies and Carriage Evasion of Promises. — Detention of Troops in consequence. — Reserve Force stationed in Sindh. — Conditions imposed on Amirs of Hyderabad. — Treaty with Khyrpur. — Termination of first Caubul Campaign. — Conciliatory Measures adopted to Sindh Amirs by British Representatives. — Tranquillity of Sindh. — Outbreak of Kilat Rebellion. — Alteration in Political Control of Sindh. — Intrigues in Kyrpiir Family. — Proposed Transfer of Shikarpiir. — Catastrophe at Caubul. — Peaceable Demeanour of Sindhian Chiefs. — General Napier assumes Command of Troops in .Sindh and Biluchistan. Page 304

Chapter XVII

News how collected from Indian Durbars. — Withdrawal of Troops from Affghanistan. — Consequent Attention to the Affairs of Sindh. — New Treaty proffered to the Amirs British Troops march towards Capitals Mir Rustum flies to the Desert. — Major Outram returns to Sindh/ — Brings Mir Rustum to General Napier. — Principal Obstacles to Ratification of Treaty. — Extra Demands. — Delay in signing Treaty. — Signed under peculiar Expectations. — British Representative's Life saved. — Attack on the Agency Battle of Miani. — Surrender of Amirs. — Capture of Treasure. — Battle of Duppa, and Defeat of Shir Mahomed. — Sindh declared a British Possession Amirs arrive as Prisoners at Bombay. — AUi Murad's Position. 324

Chapter XVIII

Remarks on the newly created Interest in Sindh. — Character of Government Reason of our first Connection with Sindh. CONTENTS. XV — The Difficulties that attended our early Negotiation with the Amirs. — Settlement of a British Agent in Sindh. — Set tlement of a British Minister, and Abolishment of Imposts. — Proposed Cession of Shikarpiir. — Desired Advance of Com mercial Interest. — The real Position of the Population under the Government of the Amirs. — Probable Feelings excited among the Biliichis. — Results likely to follow late Events. — Physical Difficulties connected with the Military Occupation of Sindh. — Position of Mir Alii Miirad. — General Observations ----- - 340 - 357 Appendix