Page 31 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter I. 0
There now remained, unless the Pacha desired to excilo the fatal contempt of hie people,
only the appeal to arms in which tho rebels did all they could to defeat the forcos of their
masters ; in which, too, they wero openly aided by tho neighbouring tribes of Shiaa Arabs, an
well ns by a multitude of Persians, who appeared at all points upon tho walls, and in tho
hostile ranlcs in their distinguishing national costumo.
Derision, contemptuous defiance, opprobrious exclamations from the walls embittered by
tho gall of sectarian and malicious allusions, wero all used to madden tho Turkish assailants ;
and poisoned bullets employed to ensuro a certain, though lingering, death to tho wounded.
When under these circumstances, and tho formation of tho breach reported (*t'c), an assault
was determined on, orders wero given to sparo tho innocent, tho unarmed, and unapposing, and
to avoid plunder.
The possession of the breach was less djfiioult than tho progress into the town; where on
reaching tho slirino of Abbas, within which a mass of people with their property had assembled
themselves, the troops were fired upon and their advancing ranks swept down.
This edifice was forcibly carried, and a severe carnage took place, as also at several private
houses from whcnco cffectivo fire was opened. Plunder and carnago wero at this moment of
deep excitement with difficulty checked ; tho shrine of Iiossein, howover, which quietly admit­
ted a party of Turkish troops, was protected from theso evils, and order was gradually restored.
The accounts of Dr. Ross, the Medical Officer of the Residency, who visited Kerbela sub­
sequent to the capture to give his aid to some Persian friends, as well as those of other
English visitors concur in stating that, though much blood was spilt, and much of outrage and
plunder occurred, as indeed must be the case in all captures by assault, yet that every exer-
tion was made by the Turkish Officers to check and terminate those inflictions.
The amount of less on the part of tho town after balanoiog various opposing accounts
may be stated at perhaps between four aud five thousand souls.
From Kerbela it he Pacha proceeded to Najaf, where no resistance having been offered,
Turkish authority was established without my violence whatever.

24. The most exaggerated reports of the alleged atrocities committed by
the Turks at Kcrballa were circulated in
Consultation, dated 22nd July 1843 (No*. 40*41)
and dated 16th Scptcinbor 1843 (.Vo. 10). Persia, which caused a terrible excite­
ment among the masses. The Mullahs
preached a crusade against the hated Turkey, and the Shah’s Government was
almost precipitated into a war, but saved from the catastrophe by the interven­
tion of England. Lieutenant-Colonel Earrant of the Bombay Array and
attached to the Persian Mission was specially deputed for investigating the
facts by Sir Stratford Canning and Namik Pusha was sent as its Commissioner
for the same purpose by the Parte. Both submitted their reports in May 1843.
(See Lieutenant-Colonel Warrant's report in appendix B to this precis)
The whole matter was settled by a tender of apology payment of a suitable
sum for the relief of the sufferen by the
Consultation, IStli Juuc 1844 (No. 10).
Porte to tho Shah, which was, though after
a good deal of disinclination, accepted (Major Rawlinson’s letter to the Govern­
ment of India, dated 2nd March 1844). Compensation was also offered to the
sufferers by the massacre and outrages committed by the Turks. See Sir Stratford
Canning’s letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Shicl, dated 8th September 1843
(appendix B to this precis).
(iiij Dispute between Persia and Turkey about Mohammerah and political position of
the Kaab.
25. One great source of contention between the Turkey and Perisa has been
tho question of political position of the Kaab inhabiting the delta of the Karan
and Euphrates and the sovereignty over Mobammerah one of the important
Kaab outposts.
26. Having occupied the delta of the Euphrates and Karan Rivers with its
numerous channels and its marshes, the Kaab for long eluded the grasp of
both "the Persian and Turkish Powers .and defied even the East India
Company’s oruizers. An interesting history of‘the Kaab tribe will be found
in Major Rawlinson’s memorandum in Secret Consultation, 6th April 1844,
Nos. 23-24, printed as appendix to this precis.
27. . In speaking of the Kaab tribe we must draw a distinction between
the Kaab proper and the Muhaisen tribe, tho latter of which was formerly
dependent upon the former, but gradually supplanted their authority so that
[S646FD]