Page 549 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1888^9. 18

followed, and has since continued to ply (necessarily at a heavy loss) about
onco a fortnight.
76. Tlio Persian authorities have placed a small river steamer of their
own, named the Susa, on the Upper Karun, hut it is not a suitable vessel, and
it is badly managed. A new stern-wheel steamer has reached Busrah, and will
eventually bo placed on the upper river.
77. Meantime Messrs. Lynch & Co.’s agent has obtained the consent of
the Persian authorities to employ native craft through Persian agency, and
cargo is forwarded in that way between Ahwaz and Shushter.
78. During the winter a Commission of Persian Surveying Officers, the
chief of whom was the Nejm-ul-Mulk, was sent from Tehran to Arabistan to
report on the repairs necessary to roads and other works, including the proposed
reconstruction of the dam at Ahwaz, for purposes of irrigation. This Commis­
sion lias returned to Tehran.
79. In January, Mirja Kazim Khan, Sirteep, was appointed to reside at
Mohaaimerah as agent for the Persian Foreign Office, and an official was posted
to Aliwaz to exercise similar functions under the Ameen-es-Sultan’s Depart­
ment.
80. Some mat-huts have been erected at Ahwaz for storing goods, and
these were let to Messrs. Lynch's agent at a rent of 600 krans a month, from
which fact it will he gathered that the Persian officials hope for good results
from the opening of the Karun.
81. Materials have been collected for the r instruction of warehouses,
wharfs, &c., at Moliammerah, and substantial
• The post below the dam of
Ahwaz is now tamed “ Sandcr*i-Na- buildings are to be erected at Abwaz,* where an
riri."
agent of Messrs. Lynch & Co. is residing.
82. It will be seen that, owing to the prompt manner in which the conces­
sion was acted on, real progress has, in the course of a few months, been made
towards opening up the new route for traffic. The difficulties which have to
be encountered and surmounted can only be realized by those on the spot. The
utmost patience, perseverance, and tact are required in dealing with them, and
the results already obtained are creditable'to the agents employed.
83. In connection with the opening of the Karun, it was considered useful
to examine the Bahmishir river, which formed the old channel of the Karuu,
and in December the Residency Steamer Lawrence ascended the Bahmishir for
about 20 miles. Subsequently, Captain Butterworth descended from Moham-
merah to the sea by the Bahmishir in a launch and took soundings. This
river is navigable for some 30 miles from its mouth by ocean steamers of light
draught; but the channel leading to the mouth is tortuous, and there is a
shallow sand-bank to be crossed to reach it.
84#. In the spring of 1888 the Bakhtiyari country was in a very disturbed
state, and the disorders spread partially to Arabistan.
86. The Bakhtiyari Chief, Hazi Imam Kooli Khan, having been deposed
from the post of Eel-Khani, refused to recognize his brother, Reza Kooli Khan,
who was appointed Eel-Khani by the Persian authorities, and prepared to
oppose the Persian forces.
86. The Nizam-es-Saltanah marched from Ispahan with a force, accom­
panied by Hazi Reza Kooli Khan, Eel-Khani, and Isfandiyar Khan, son of the
late well-biown Eel-Khani, Hazi Husain Kooli Khan (Isfandiyar Khan had
been appointed Eel-Begi of the Bakhtiyari's), and attacked and defeated Imam
Kooli Khan, who was eventually forced to surrender. Decorations were be­
stowed on the Nizam-es-Saltanah and Reza Kooli Khan, and Isfandiyar Khan
was honored with the title of “ Samsam-es-Saltanah.” These events'led to the
restoration of tranquillity in the Bakhtiyari country and Arabist&iL