It may have been Alexander's Salmous, as it is about the
right distance from the coast, and if so, could not have been Marco's
Cono Salmi. Continuing on, Galashkird mentioned by Edrisi, is the next
stage." - H. C.]
The raids of the Mekranis and Biluchis long preceded those of the
Karaunas, for they were notable even in the time of Mahmud of Ghazni, and
they have continued to our own day to be prosecuted nearly on the same
stage and in the same manner. About 1721, 4000 horsemen of this
description plundered the town of Bander Abbasi, whilst Captain Alex.
Hamilton was in the port; and Abbott, in 1850, found the dread of Biluch
robbers to extend almost to the gates of Ispahan. A striking account of
the Biluch robbers and their characteristics is given by General Ferrier.
(See Hamilton, I. 109; J. R. G. S. XXV.; Khanikoff's Memoire; Macd.
Kinneir, 196; Caravan Journeys, p. 437 seq.)
[1] Khajlak is mentioned as a leader of the Mongol raids in India by the
poet Amir Khusru (A.D. 1289; see Elliot III. 527).
[2] Professor Cowell compares the Mongol inroads in the latter part of the
13th and beginning of the 14th century, in their incessant recurrence,
to the incursions of the Danes in England.
