chkis derive from a Rajput adventurer who
flourished in the early part of the 17th century. They are now the dominant
race in Panjgur and Kej, from whence they ousted the Boledis. For three
generations they remained Hindus; since then there has arisen amongst them
a strange new sect called Zikari, with exceedingly loose notions of
morality. The sect, however, appears to be fast merging into orthodox
Mahommedanism. A Baluch (or rather Makran) race which deserves attention is
that of the Gadaras, who once gave the name Gadrosia to Southern
Baluchistan. According to Tate the Gadaras are now represented by Sidi
half-castes--those Makrani "boys" who are so well known in the mercantile
marine as stokers and firemen. It seems unlikely that this modern admixture
of Asiatic and African blood represents the "Asiatic Ethiopian" of
Herodotus, which was more probably a direct connexion of the Himyaritic
Arab builders of "bunds" and revetments who spread eastwards from Arabia.
Bellew finds in the Gadara the Garuda (eagles) of Sanskrit, who were ever
in opposition to the Naga (snakes) of Scythic origin. Southern Baluchistan
affords a most interesting field for the ethnographer. It has never yet
been thoroughly explored in the interests of ethnographical science.

The Baluch character is influenced by its environment as much as by its
origin, so that it is impossible to select any one section of the general
community as affording a satisfactory sample of popular Baluch
idiosyncrasies. They are not a homogeneous race. Peoples of Arab extraction
intermixed with people of Dravidian and Persian stock are all lumped
together under the name of Baluch. The Marri and Bugti tribes, who occupy
the most southern buttresses of the Suliman Mountains, are Rind Baluchis,
almost certainly of Arab extraction. They came to Sind either with the Arab
conquerors or after them, and remained there mixed up with the original
Hindu inhabitants. The Arab type of Baluch extends through the whole
country at intervals, and includes all the finest and best of Baluch
humanity. Taking the Rind Baluch as the type opposed to the Afridi Pathan,
the Baluch is easier to deal with and to control than the Pathan, owing to
his tribal organization and his freedom from bigoted fanaticism or blind
allegiance to his priest. The Baluch is less turbulent, less treacherous,
less bloodthirsty and less fanatical than the Pathan. His frame is shorter
and more spare and wiry than that of