MEKRAN, sometimes called also Kej Mekran, a province of Baluchistan which extends from near Cape Jashk, in lat. 25° 38' 3" N., long. 46' 13" E., to the Hingol river, and the river of Las, reaching to Cape Maize, in lat. 24° 51' N., and long. 35' E., a distance of 480 miles.
Mekran has Persia on the west, the provinces of Las and Jhalawan on the east, Persia, Afghanis tan, and the Kliaran district on the north, and the Arabian Sea on its south. Its western portion is under Persian rule, and its eastern under the Khan of Kalat; the boundary being at long. 62° E. Its name is supposed to be the combination of two Persian words, Mahi - khoran, Ichthyo phagi. It was also known to the ancients as Karmania altera. From Cape Jashk on the Purali river, a distance of 500 miles, the shores of the coast of Mekran are washed by the Arabian Sea. The country is one vast arid and sterile waste, with high mountains rising at the back wholly destitute of both trees and vegetation.
It is a district of hills and valleys, in parallel ranges running east and west, but almost rainless. On many of the hills are -beds of clay, 50 to 100 feet thick, containing fossil the miocene formation. Between Gwadur and Ras Kuch are many of the mud volcanoes called Chandr-kup, and near Has Jashk is a hot spring with temperature of 128°. One group of the Chandr-kup, consisting of three cones, is a mile to the W. of Huki and about 60 miles from Saurniani. The other group, consisting of two cones, is about 10 miles N. of Ormara.
Alexander the Great, after his conquests in N.W. India, returned through this province ; and the sufferings of his army from want of water and provisions were intense. There are, in Mekran, cyclopean structures raised by some unknown prior race. They are called Ghorbasta or Ghor band, and bear a resemblance to the cyclopean remains of Europe. They are built across ravines to form tanks, and on the declivities of mountains to distribute the water. They have been con structed by an agricultural race, who on entering it had foreseen that the country would not other wise support them. The race is supposed by Dr. Cook to have been a people with kindred habits to the Pelasgi. Arrian says that the fishermen on the coast of Gedrosia lived in small huts, whose walls were composed of sea-shells piled upon each other, and their roofs of fish bones, the back bones serving instead of rafters. But the present
population of Mekran is formed of many different .tribes and independent chiefs, of whom the Baluch are the most numerous : a middle-sized race of men, spare, muscular, and active, and armed with a matchlock, sword, shield, and dagger. The common language, of the country is a corrupt Persian, mixed with Sindi, and the generality of the Baluch are Muhammadan of the Sunni persuasion. Those of the centre countries reside mostly in towns ; those of the lower countries are scattered over the plains, in hamlets of. eight or ten huts, built of the branches of the palm, and covered with mats ; but the Narhui race of Bunpur live in tents of black hair, and remove from place to place as their flocks or agriculture require their attention. The women of Mekran appear freely in public.
The Gitchki is the most numerous tribe. About half the population is of a sect of 3Iuham madans called Ziggar. The maritime and fishing population of the little 'ports on the coast of Mekran, from Sanmiani to Charbai, are denomin ated Med, and comprise four divisions,—the Guzbur, Hormari, Jellarzai, and Chelmarzai.
Its natives on ;he sea-coast are of larger pro portions and blacker complexions than the northern ones, probably owing to their frequent intermarriages with the Negroes of Muscat and Arabia. The Mekrani are a puny and delicate race when compared to the Baluchi or Brahui, owing perhaps to the climate, and their sensual lives, for which both sexes are notorious ; they likewise drink great quantities of an intoxicating beverage made from fermented dates. The women of Mekran are usually very ugly, and proverbially unfaithful ; they set no bounds to the gratification of their passions ; at an early period of their lives they are tottering under decrepitude and premature old age.
The Biruvi tribe dwell near Bell ; they sell their children when in want. They are better looking than the Sidi, and, as they speak Sindi, Hindus prefer them as domestic servants. — Kinneir's Geog. Memoir, p. 202 ; Pottinger's Travels.