Page 74 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

52 Part I.
pretence or another remained in retirement amongst In’s tribes men, to repair to Baghdad
in order that bis previous conduct as Governor of the Hiodioh maybe submitted to a strict
enquiry in presence of tbo Civil and Military Chiefs, and that tbo exceptional circumstances
winch induced the Soraskicr to adopt an independent line of action may bo thus brought
forward and recorded in an open Court. It is also necessary to inform your Excellency
that upon Dervish Pasha's arrival Nejib Pasha spared no pains to enlist him as a partisan
upon his side, but that the Commissioner found Ilis Excellency's causa to ho so thoroughly
had, tho corrupt motives which have alone dictated a rupport of Sheikh Wrnlco being patent
to the most careless observation, that lie at once adopted tho other party and it is hardly to
he doubled but that report which he is now sending to complo upon tho subject will he
as incriminating to Nejib Pasha, ns it will be entitled to tho respect of the Porte from tho
known probity and the enlightened character of the writer.
I regret to have to report to Your Excellency in conclusion, that the apprehensions which
I cntcitaincd from the commencement of the Arabs being emboldened by their successful
resistance against Sheikh Wndoo to commit further disorders havo been partly realized.
In the district of the Hindieli where the Seraskicr was brought into personal communication
with the local Sheikhs, and in Kirbila evon whether he despatched a Confidential Officer to
supply tho place of the Governor summarily withdrawn by Nijib Pasha the public peace lias
not been disturbed ; hut at moro remote points where there has boon no immediate check on
the evil passions of the tribes, it would have been absurd to expect the same moderation.
The Ellij aro thus reported to have attacked the fort of Dhukara, held by a party of
Sheikh Wadcc's men and having taken tho place to have put tho whole garrison to tho
sword Sheikh Mndhkoud again of the Boni Lam 6till holds the Tigris and has put an,
entire 6top to the communication between Baghdad and Bussorah, while the Obcid and the
Sharamar Tagh continue to send out plundering expeditions into tho districts contiguous
to their scats.
Nijib Pasha attributes all these disorders to tho arrangement which the machine of
Government has sustained from tho factious opposition of the military, while tho Seraskier
accepts responsibility alone for the distiict of the Hindioli, whioh ln» has personally visited,
and traoes the general disturbance to tho capacity of Nijib Pasha’s Officor. The views or
both parties may very possibly be to a certain extent just, but recrimination of course yields
no practical remedy and I continuo theroforc to augur ill to the oountry from the persecution of
this miserable quarrel.
132. The despatches of 1850 from the Agent at Baghdad are full with
Li.aton.nt A. D.Kcub.iv. to tii, EmbtisY. No. melancholy accounts of tho anarchy that
Hi 40. itatoit 20ti» October 1850, No. 48, doted ictb reigned in and round about Baghdad in
November i85o. consequence of the Jerbah Shammar
tribe having been invited by Abdi Pasha to take tho place of regular
troops, wlio had been to led against a Kurdish Chief that had rebelled
against the Turkish Government. In order to subsist themselves, their families
and flocks, they were allowed to havo recourse to the grain stored in the
villages. This was followed by pillaging of the villages and fearful excesses
of the tribo everywhere. The defenceless people fled away in terror from
their homes and the country along the Tigris, oven as far down as Kut-el
Amara was turned into a desert. Tho routes and the river became insecure
trade of the country was at a deadlock and the British commerce Buffered
considerably.
133. In the southern districts near Basrah there existod at this timo
Lieutenant Kembnll, Acting Resident to tbc also complete disorder and anarchy
Eiubauy, No. 42, dated 20th October 1850. on account of feuds between the Monte-
feik Chief Paris Ibn Ajil and his cousin Mansur Rashid. The latter appears
to have been supported by Turkish local authorities. Trade on account of
these dissensions camo to a standstill.
134. Ultimately Mansur was appointed by the Pasha Chief of the Montefeiks
and received the customary flag and firman. But scarcely had he estab­
lished himself on tho masnad, when ho was surprised by his rival Paris with
a large force and driven into the Kaab district. The authorities again
recognized Ajil as tho Chief of the Montefiks-Many other tribes along tho
Euphrates also rivolted at this time, the Annaiza, Daman and Khazail, and
anarchy and confusron reigned supremo everywhere.

(iv) Arab tribal disturbances. Insurrections at Najaf, 1852-54.
135. The following despatch (No. 14, dated 21st July 1852), from Sir A.
Rawlinson to tho British Embassy throws much light into the state of tho
country at this time and tho misgovernmont the Porte:—