Baluchistan
a country in Asia, the coast of which is continuous with the N. W. seaboard of India, bounded on the N. by Afghanistan, on the W. by Persia, on the S. by the Arabian Sea, and on the E. by Sind. It has an area of about 135,000 square miles, and a population estimated at 850,000. The general surface of the country is rugged and mountainous, with some extensive intervals of barren, sandy deserts, and there is a general deficiency of water. The country is almost entirely occupied by pastoral tribes under semi-independent sirdars or chiefs. The inhabitants are divided into two great branches, the Baluchis and Brahuis, differing in their language, figure, and manners. The Baluchis in general have tall figures, long visages, and prominent features; the Brahuis on the contrary, have short, thick bones, with round faces and flat lineaments, with hair and beards frequently brown. Both races are zealous Mohammedans, hospitable, brave, and capable of enduring much fatigue. The Khan of Khelat is nominal ruler of about one half of the total area, and in 1877 concluded a treaty with Great Britain, which placed the whole country at the disposal of the British for military purposes. Another part, area 46,960 square miles, called British Baluchistan, is administered by a chief commissioner. The balance of the country consists of a native state called Las Bela (7,132 square miles) and various tribal areas (7,268 square miles).