Page 56 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

34
Part I.
opinion that the interest of the East India Company would bo promoted
thereby.
107-0. Soliman (1807-10) the late Pasha’s nephew was appointed Pasha
in his place by the Porto. Orders were sont by the Porte in 1800 for Iho
deposition of Soliman, but they were challenged by him, and tho Porto
resorted to the expedient of exciting tho Kurds to attack Baghdad and expel
the rebellious Pasha. Tho Khurdish force was defeated by Soliman Paslia,
but no advantage having been taken of tho victory, the Turkish Army was
attacked again and ultimately deserted their chief. Soliman fled with a few
faithful Georgians towards Basrah, but was taken and murdered by a party of
Dafoyh as or Shummers.
11 Thus terminated ” writes Mr. Rich “ at the age twenty-four tho life and
TurliA Arabia Trleit, 1616-1810, paragraph roigU of Salimtlll Paslia, a man of warm
232. affections and actual good principles. His
faults woro such as proceed from extromo youtli and would have been corrected
by age and experience. Since bis reconciliation* witli me lie was ever been
the strongest and most sincere friend of
• Soe paragraph bolow.
the British and I fear it will bo long oro
tbo Residency is so well situated.
107-B. Abdullah Aga (1810-13) probably tho Abdullah Aga of Baghdad
described by Mr. Harfavd James in bis despatch of 1802 quoted above, was
appointed Faslia. He fell in a battle with tho Montefiks in 1813. His two
successors beoamo so powerful, that they could not be ousted but by force.
107-E. Said Pasha (1813-16) having in 1816 refused to resign the Govern­
ment to Baud ElTeudi, the latter marched
Tufl-iih Arabia Prfeit,, paragraph 240.
against Baghdad with a large force, but
was defeated by Said Pasha’s Army (17th January 1717). Shortly afterwards a
defection took place in a portion of Said Pasha’s army, which was followed
by general insurrection at Baghdad, in which the Mamelukes took a conspicu­
ous part. On 21st February Baud Effondi who had recollected his scattered
army entered Baghdad, when the whole city submitted to his authority and
on the following day lie was proclaimed Pasha. Said Pasha, who had taken
shelter in the citadal, was soon after beheaded.
107-F. Daud Pasha (1817-31) made a very poor impression on Mr. Rich,
Ibid, paragraph 244. who reported as early as 1819 that ho was
merely a tool in the hands of his un­
Ibid, paragraphs 246-260.
worthy servants. He came with serious
collision with Mr. Rich, having refused to redress certain wrongs of British
merchants. Mr. Rich’s successor Captain Taylor and Baud Pasha were on very
friendly terms, a friendship which was used by tho latter to strengthen his
position considerably with the ostensible object of defending the couutry against
tbo Russians by obtaining a large supply
Ibid, paragraph* 275-279.
of arms and ammunition from Bombay by
British Officers. Baud Pasha’s power excited the jealousy of the Porte and
orders were sent for his deposition and succession by Alt Reza Paslia. Ho
determined to oppose the advance of Ali Pasha by force. Baghdad was besieged
by Ali Reza Paslia fora few days, but Baud Pasha was betrayed and delivered
to the newly appointed Pasha. The ex-Pasha was pardoned and sent to Constan­
tinople.
107-G. It was during the reign of Ali Pasha (1831-184i6) that the Euphrates
expedition was undertaken by the English. He was the first Pasha of Baghdad,
who was of Turkish descent, and with him there appears to have beon inaugu­
I
rated a new policy in Turkish Arabia, tlie main purpose of which was to destroy
the power of the Georgians at Baghdad and to break down tho old feudal system
under which the Arab cliieftaius and their tribes enjoyed almost independent
administrative powers. This Pasha was on whole friendly towards the British
and favourably disposed to movements for the exploitation of the country. The
following is the description of the governor given by Major R. Taylor and the
policy inaugurated by him (see Pol. C., 21st May 1832, Nos. 8-32 :—

M ^ *