Page 81 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter III. 59
rondo n subject of complaint, and tbo reason that Messrs. Hector's Agent did not tako ndvan
tage of tbo offer wns that ho had an account of a few rupees to settle at Bussoruh which he
would not consent to abandon or postpone.
139. In 1855, tho Al-bu-Mahomed tribe revolted, and began to plunder and
pillage tho villages, and attack the boats playing on the Tigris all navigation
stopped for six months. It was found impossible to coerce the tribe, as no sooner
did the Turkish .Forces appear, the tribesman disappeared on the marshes, they
woro only reconciled by accepting the terms they offered for paying tho tributo.
(vi) The Arab tribes construction of tho Telegraph Hue,* 1863-1864.
140. As instances of tho constant changes in tho appointment of the Chiefs
of Montoffks and tho increase of tributo levied from them, wo shall quote
tho following statement from Colonel Kemball’s despatch dated 9th Jauuary
1856 to the Embassy :—
1851 Sheikh Faria with a liability of 2,00,000 thamies per annum.
1851 Autumn Sheikh Mansur 2,40,000
it
1852 Spring Sal^h a 3,00,000 it
1853 October „ Mansur „ 3,10,000 „ „
and the sequestration of the Beni Hatheym territory, including Sumawa, at an estimated
revenue of 1,00,000 thamies the same being the amount at which it was immediately
farmed to Sheikh Wadi.
1855 October Sheikh Bunder with a liability of 3,10,000 (believed to be 3,50,000)
thamies with the further sequestration of lands specified in Mr. Taylor's letter.
Prior to Nejib Pasha's Government the aggregate revenue of the Montifik districts
amounted to 1,00,000 thamies, since that time the decay of the country, produced by excessive
taxation has bc*n evinced both by a considerable falling off of trade and the diminished
cultivation of the land.
141. In 1863 owing to the persistent omission of Sheikh Bunder the
MonteGk Chief to pay up the arrears of
Lieutenant Kemball to the Embassy No. 26, dated
21it October 1S63. revenue, Munib Pasha, Governor of Basrah
Political A., Dcccrabor 18C3, Noi. 319-321. under orders of Namik Basha, arrested
him when ho came to visit Munib Pasha on the Turkish steamer, lie was,
however, released on arrival at Basrah on payment of bribes, as was suspected
by Namik Pasha. Sheikh Bunder was thereupon summoned by Namik Pasha
to Baghdad and pay up the arrears of revenue.
Munib Pasha was suspended and arrested and brought to Baghdad, where
his guilt was proved. Sheikh Bunder in obedience to the summons and in
hopes of getting the farm of the MonteGk district renewed, camo to Baghdad
and paid into the treasury 1,25,000 thamies, in part payment of the arrears
of revenue.
142. Namik Pasha then attempted to introduce an important change in the
administration of the 2tontefik districts, as will be seen from the despatch of
Colonel Kemball, No. 42, dated 18th November 1863, which the latter expected
would supply a guarantee for tho security of the telegraph*
No. 42, dated tlio 18th Noromber 1S63.
Froir—Coiokbl A. B. Kbudall, c.n., Hor Majesty's Consul-General at Baghdad,
To—His Excp.li.bnct mu Riout IIon’dlk Sib H. L. Bolweb, o.o. B., Her Britannio Majesty’s
Ambassador at Constantinople.
His Excellency Namik Pasha has taken advantage of the lapse of the farm of the Montefik
districts to set aside the independent Govern­
Political A., January 1801, Nos. 103-101.
ment of the Arab Sheikhs, and to substitute the
more regular system of administration obtaining in other parts of this Pashalic. After separat­
ing the lands bordering on the Shat-el-Arab south of Kornah. to he annexed to the Kairn
Mukamlik of Bussorah, and the lands situated on the right bank of the Tigris, north of Kor­
nah, including the district of the Hye, to be annexed to the Kairn Mukamlik of Azeezieh, His
Excellency has appointed (Sheikh) Munsoor Beg to be Kaitn Mukam of Suk*esh Shiookh on a
salary of Purses 30,000 per mensem, and has associated with him as Muhasibehchce a Turkish t
OUicor of the name of Suleiman Beg, late Mudeer of Khannikccn. The power of life and
death of mutilation and of corporal punishment, hitherto exercised by tho Sheikhs, os also the
exaction of arbitrary dues of whatever nature, including Nikal, or blood-money on account of
inter-tribal feuds, have been abolished. Tho regular duties and taxes sanctioned by the Sub­
lime Porto are alone to be levied, and all 6uits, civil and criminal, arc to be adjudicated by a
Mujtii composed of landowners, merchants, and other influential persons of tho community on
the spot whose appointment must he confirmed by His Excellency. His Excellency is con­
scious that so radical a change can hardly bo carried out without creating discontent among the
• 'tho con-tructiou of tliu telegraph lino vvm commenced about tho close of tbo year >.863, ml aftor ■ >mo interrup­
tion caused by iliiturbancra uniUi; Arab tribes the work was completed in January 18U5. A party of British engineers
were enticed in tho work *ii co-operation with Turkish ollicial*. Seo Qoldvuiid’a I'cltgruph and Travel pp 95—111
and 315—218.