50 MAKRÂN
its requirements, but a good date-harvest is enough to meet the needs
of the scanty population for the year. In times of scarcity the inhabi-
tants, rapidly dispersing, find a plentiful demand for labour at Karachi
and in Rajputana.
The administration of the country is conducted, on behalf of the
Khan of Kalat, by an officer known as the ndzim. He is assisted
Administration. by four nail)s, who are stationed in Tump, Kolwa,
Pasni, and Panjgfir. Irregular levies are maintained,
numbering 79 horse and 81 foot, at a total cost of about
Rs. 32,000 per annum. The infantry hold the important forts of
Turbat, Nasïrabad, and 'Pump in Kech, Bit in Buleda, and Isai in
Panjgfir. All persons, including holders of revenue-free grants, are
bound to assist the ndzim with armed men when occasion requires.
For this purpose allowances amounting to Rs. 6,ooo per annum are
granted to certain leading men by the Khan. A telegraph subsidy
of Rs. 5,520 is paid by the British Government for the protection of
the Indo-European Telegraph line. A Levy Corps of 300 men under
two British officers, with its head-quarters in Panjgfir, is being stationed
along the western frontier. Its cost, about 1-2 lakhs per annum, is
borne by the British Government. Disputes are generally referred to
kdzis for decision according to the Muhammadan law. Important
awards are confirmed by the Political Agent in Kalat. Crime is con-
spicuous by its absence, the number of criminal cases decided in igoo-1
being only 63. The total cost of administration, including the pay
of the irregular levies, is about Rs. 8o,ooo per annum.
It has been stated that Nasir Khan I obtained from the Gichkis only
a right to the collection of half the revenues of the country. In the
course of the long series of struggles between the Khans of Kalat and
the dominant groups which followed, the position gradually changed;
and the Khan has now obtained, by confiscation, exchange, &c., the
exclusive right to the revenue of some places, while retaining the right
to a moiety in others. Elsewhere, the dominant classes hold exclusive
rights to collect. The revenue is taken by the appraisement of cereals,
the State share being generally one-tenth; by contract; and by a cash
assessment on irrigated lands, known as zarr-e-shdh, which has now
degenerated into a poll-tax of very unequal incidence. A cash assess-
ment is levied on date-trees, and grazing tax is collected at the rate of
one sheep in 40 or 5o and one seer of ghi. Among other receipts
are transit dues, tithes in kind on all fresh fish caught on the coast, and
duties on imports and exports. In 1902-3 the total revenue derived
from the country by the Khan was Rs. 45,500, to which a grant of
Rs. 36,700 was added by him to meet the expenses of administration.
A little education is imparted by a few ignorant mullds and kdzis,
generally Darzadas and Afghans. A Hospital Assistant is attached to
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