Page 27 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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CO Complete disorder and revolt prevailed for some timo in the traots
about Dizful and Shuster, the Arabs tribes under various Sheikhs joining in a
common resistance to Persian authority.
Cl. In Juno tho Bakhtiari Il-Khani, who had been employed by the
Nizam-cs-Sultanch to coerce the insurgonts, was defeated by them, and panic
onsuod in Shuster, where the people, seeing the Governor helpless, proposed, in
concert with tho rural population around, to pay their revenue to the ArabB, on
the ground that the Government was powerless to afford protection.
62. Tho Lurs helped to swell the tide of disorder, raiding tho country
towards Dizful, whero the Governor’s representative was quite unable to check
them.
C3. Shuster and Dizful were themselves the scene of faction fights and
collision with authority. At Ahwaz there was an affray between the people
and tho soldiery, who, at that place, had notoriously been the cause of frequent
disturbances, rather than the supporters of order and authority. In fact the
tale of anarchy, conflict, and violence* was well nigh continuous.
64. Ala-ud-Doioleh was appointed Govern or-General on succession to
Nizam-es-Sultaneh, and arrived at Shuster in .February 1897.*
He was succeeded by the following Governor-Generals:—
8aad-us-Sultanck (1897-99).
Prince Ain-ed-Dowloh (1899-1900).’
Prince- Salar-ed-Dowleh (1901-19040, who was favourably disposed
towards the British.

(x) Murder of Slieikh Mizal and succession of his brother Sheikh
Khazal, June 1897.

65. On 6th June 1897 the Resident,
Sfcrfct E. July 1897, Noi. 36-38.
Bushire, addressed us the following tele-
gram:—
° Sheikh Mizal of Mohammcrah assassinated 2nd. IIis brother Khadal (Khazal) assumed
authority. Preserving order. Sphinx starting for Mohammerah."
66. Ho was assassinated, when landing from bis boat opposite his own
residence at Falin. The actual murderers were three negroes, who were supposed
to have been instigated to commit the crime by the Sheikh’s cousin, Salman
bin Mansur, a Chief of the Muhaisen tribe. It was feared at first that the
sudden death of Sheikh Mizal would give rise to trouble; but nothing particu­
lar occurred. Tho Governorship of Mohammerah and of the tribes was assum­
ed by Sheikh Mizal’s brother, Sheik Khazal, after tribe election, which was
subsequently confirmed by the Persian Government; and he appears to
have conducted the government in a proper manner, avoiding difficult situa­
tions, which at one time seemed likely to arise. In April 1898 he received
the title of Muez-es-Sultaneh from the Persian Government.
67. Sheikh Khazal soon gained the good will of the British firms, whose
interests were, it was reported, better looked after now than they were in the
days of his brother Sheikh Mizal.
68. The Sheikh was engaged in 1898 in various expeditions against
Arab tribes within his jurisdiction, the most important of which was that against
the Bain tribe of Nussari, whose insurrection at one time gave rise to some
uneasiness.

59. 8heikh Khazal had soon to seek the British protection. The events
that led to this will he described hereafter in a separate chapter (Chapter IX).