BALTIS TAN

or LITTLE TIBET, dist., cro ed by Karakoram Mts., which culminate in Mt. Godwin-Austen, over 28,000 ft.; drained by Indus Cap. country, S.W. Asia, between Afghanistan and Arabian Sea (24° 54’-32° 4’ N., 60° 56’-70°15’ E.). Coast-line extends about 600 m., but there are no good harbors. Considerable portion is under Brit. control, called British Balu chi stan, in N.H.; whole is within Brit. sphere of influence. Surface generally consists of dry tablelands, but there are low lying plains in E. Principal mountains are Sulaiman system in N., Kirthar range in E., Pab Hills in 8., Makran coast range in 8. Chief rivers, Nari, Bolan, Badra, in E.; chief town, Kalat. Climate has extremes of cold and heat; rainfall slight. Fruits, cereals, and potatoes are grown; camels, horses, oxen, and cows kept. Minerals include coal, iron, lead, asbestos, chromite, salt, but are little worked. There are few manufactures: dates, dried fish, etc. Early history of Balu chi stan is veiled fn obscurity; ruled by Hindu rajahs till '17th cent. when last rajah applied for aid to Kambar, chief of mountain tribe, who eventually deposed him and estabing cent. Nadir Shah established Pers. influence in country, and appointed as ruler Nasir Khan in 1739. In 1839 Kalat was attacked and captured by British, who, however, evacuated it in 1841, having concluded treaty of friendship. Other treaties were concluded on two subsequent occasions, and British Balu chi stan was established in 1887. British Balu chi stan and the political Bolan Pa , Sibi, and Chagai are directly governed by chief commi ioner, who also, as goyv.-gen.’s agent, supervises administration of remainder of country, comprising native states of Kalat and Las Bela, and tribal areas. Inhabitants are chiefly of Pathan, Brahin, and Baluch races; Pathans found in directly administered districts, Brahins in middle, Baluchs in §.; there are also Lasis, Saiads, Chuttas, and other races, including Persians. Islam is principal religion, but there are some Hindus. Area, 134,638 sa.m.; pop. 834,700. See Map Centra AND §, AsIA.