Page 374 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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his nominal allegiance to Afghanistan, became tic Jaclo an independent Sovereign. By him
Dizzuk \v:ih formally made over to Nyainut Ullnh,* the present Chief’s grandfather. At a
still later period the King of Porsia, Futtch Ali Shah, or his Governors, made occasional
demands ol tribute, and exacted payment of the same from Dizzuk. Later again, under
Mahomed Shah, no such claim on behalf ot Persia was ever advanced. Under the reigning
Shah not only is tribute exacted from Dizzuk ; but Alim Khan, its Chief, has been to
Tehran, and received there his grant of the district in due form. Somo say that, on pretence
of making a pilgrimage to Mecca, Alim Khan is again on his way to the Persian capital.
This I do not believe ; but a relative, Juma Khan, potty Chief of Erokhshun, is professedly
proceeding thither to complain of oppression on the part of the local authorities.
" In a report of the Reverend Mr. Badger to Government, dated the 5th June 18G], he
says that the Persians 1 have lately retaken the district of Dizzuk from Azad Khan, a firm
ally of tho Dost.’ Now Azad Khan of Kharan is the very Chief of whom it was currently
reported, in the stirring year 1857, that lie offered his services to Persia ; but such is tho
condition of affairs in Baluchistan that the two accounts may be reconciled, and rendered
credible by the admission of the fact that three or four years lat**r he was acting on his own
Account, or on behalf of Candalmr. The truth is that these petty Beluch Slates, instead of
uniting under ono recognized head, have no bond of common interest to keep them together,
and become the prey of their most powerful neighbour for tho time being, whether Persia,
Afghanistan, or a Beluch Sardar of superior power and ability. I need scarcely add that
Dizzuk is now Persian by possession, 'lhe acknowledgment of the local rulers I believe to
be compulsory.
* * * * * * *

*' As to the claims of Persia to the revenues, or any portion of the revenues of Gob
r . , „., and Sirbaz, or to the exercise of any sovereign
1 i * right in those minor Slates, 1 see no actual right
beyond possession for the last 10 or 12 years. Mir Abdullah pays and collects tribute from
Gch and its dependencies, and Mir Bayan may do the same in Sirbaz ; but this state of
things does not imply acknowledgment by the local rulers any more than in Dizzuk. I
am not prepared to say that there arc uo old exactions of tribute admissible as evidence
that Persia, in her moments of spasmodic strength, claimed a share of Geh or Sirbaz revenues
since the days of Nadir Shah j for the Beluchis of Dizzuk tell me that these countries were once
part of the inheritance of Alim Khan’s forefathers, who did, now and then, pay such demands.
Dizzuk and Bampur arc, however, more convenient in situation for the easy ingress of the
Persian collectors. There arc roads to Dizzuk from the west by Surliud, and from the north by
Seistau ; and Bampur is close to the Kerman frontier. But as a matter of right there can be
uo claim. Gch and Sirbaz were disconnected from Persia when Nussir Kban held them as
part of consolidated Baluchistan, being himself the sovereign head of the Beluehi and Brahui
tribes of that province. Viewed geographically they belong to the latter State. Politically,
they are parts of the great Beluch feudality, which ouly needs a second Nussir Khan to
become a formidable confederacy. The levy of tribute during the last few years is a mere
proof that Persia has become, for the time, stronger than her uncivilized and comparatively
unknown eastern neighbours, or more at leisure to direct her attention towards them ; and,
doubtless, she lias had stronger reasons for the step than arc apparent to the minor Beluch
Chiefs, who suffer from the changes in her political barometer.
" Opportunity lias failed me to see the two Chiefs of this district, or cither of them, l*ut
I have visited their shores and taken trustworthy
Baho Paityari.
oral evidence, to the effect that never within the
memory of man have they paid tribute to Persia, until within the last very few years. Ouc of
the two, Mahomed Ali, less than a year ago, opened a correspondence with the Political Agent
si Gwadur on the subject of Persian oppression. The other, in October last, placed his services
at the Agent’s disposal, if required. 1 learn, moreover, that Mahomed Ali had an interview
with Lieutenant ltoss at Gwadur, at which lie may, very naturally, have broached the question
oi his complaints. To these communications, written or personal, no auswer can, it is con­
ceived, be given than that we regret the existence of the grievances, but. can do nothing to
remove them. Yet, unfortunately, these arc the very answers which are unintelligible to a
rude Beluch. lie cannot comprehend how an arm, stronger than that of Nadir, can remain
passive when invited to easy conquest, and its, to them, brilliant consequences. My
experience has not shown me that they always put the best construction on our acta ; and,
however essential to disavow that any but the most peaceful intentions influence our
movements in Mckran, I fear it will be a long time before they arrive at (he truth. They
have a certain amount of rough honesty, these Mekranis of the interior ; but it is a sentiment
little akiu to that which guides our present avowed policy in the East. And no wonder
that the idea of a mighty uatiou sending its Agents to a barren, inhospitable shore for the
mere sake of working a wire affixed to posts, is, at first, incomprehensible.
*

HUtory,ofSB°Tl^h'^Al^eTC^ ,^®rn,ft^0n 11 *n Accordance with Pottinger'i montiou of Nayinut Ullab in 1810