The Indus Civilization c11.13

c11.13

On the other hand, there are strong reasons for thinking that the various land routes through Baluchistan were extensively used for trade purposes. Sir Aurel Stein has clearly shown that the population of that country was once far greater than it is now. Under the present rainless conditions it can support only a very limited population, but the number of deserted settlements shows that in ancient days the valley population was quite considerable. For reasons that I have stated before it is quite possible that the Indus Valley people had little or no political influence over that country, though it is quite likely that certain tribes who were naturally well acquainted with its difficult terrain were employed as carriers.