Page 389 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

41
“ The sea-port of Charbar also fell into the hands of tho Arabs in the time of the 6ame
Charbar Sultan bin Ahmed, of Muscat. A party of Arabs
under one Saif bin Ali, was sent across from
Oman in small vessels, who entering the bay under pretence of fishing, took the Helachia by
surprise, and seized their fort. It has since remained in tho hands of the Arabs.”
48. The remaining extracts from this Report had special interest, as
bearing more directly upon tho recent development of affairs:—
“On the death of Nussir IChan, the Gitclilcis took advantage of troubles at Kelat to
revolt and sh iko off tho Kelat j oke. They were again reduced to obedience by Mehrab
Khan in 1881, since wheu no serious disturbances have occurred affecting the Khan’s
supremacy. This is in groat measure to he attributed to the tact and enorgy of the present
Naib, Mir Faquir Mahomed, who lias allied himself by marriage with the Gitchki familj', and
acquired undivided power in tho proviuce. Fuquir Mahomed lias had struggles with Azad
Khan of Khnrnn, anil with the Mote tribe at Toonip. On one occasion, upwards of 15 years
ngo, he advanced with a force of 8,000 men against G wad nr, and succeeded in levying a sum
iu ransom. Shah Kasim, a Gitohki Chief, had several years before made a similar attack,
“ Whilst Eastern Mekrau was thus being brought under the sway of Kelat, the western
divisions were falling to the share of Persia, A
Persian Districts.
Persian Governor was established at Bam pur,
and lator, Geli, Kusscrkund, Dizzuk, Shirbaz, Baho, etc., were forced to pay tribute to the
Persian representative. In accordance with tho customary policy, neither Persian odicers nor
Persian troops were placed in oharge of these districts. So long a6 their own Chiefs satis­
fied the demands of Porsia, they were left unmolested. The districts of Geh, Kusserkund
and Baho, Dustyaii, are under tho oharge of a Gitchki Chief, named Mir Abdullah, who
is Naib on the part of Persia, and acts under tho orders of Ibrahim Khan, the Persian Gov­
ernor at Bampur, who, in his turn, is subordinate to the Wnkil-ul-Mulk of Kerman. Subor­
dinate to Mir Abdulla are the Judgal Chiefs of Baho and Dustyari, Mahomed Ali and Din
Mahomed. The remaining Persian districts are also governed by BelucU Chiefs, who
render account of the revenue to Ibrahim Khan.
“ It bus been seen that the eastern half of Mekran has fallen to tho share of the Kelat
State, and now forms part of what may be
Government.
termed ‘ Independent Beluchistan.’ The west­
ern half is more oriels directly subject to Persian sway. The Kej division is at the present
day under the general supervision of Faquir Mahomed, the Khan’s Naib, and Punjgur
uuder that of Mir Esa, a Gitchki Chief. These Chiefs, however, interfere but little with
the administration of justice, etc., iu the various subordinate districts, where the local Chiefs
exercise unlimited power within their respective limits. Laws, as we understand them,
thora are none, and order is only enforced by the most primitive and summary means, and
there is but little formal protection for life and property. The system of blood feuds has for
ages been iu force, and, for waut of a more regular appeal to justice, exercises a wholesome
influence.
« o a « * * *
“ The Naib, resident at Kej, is held responsible by the Khan for the collection of
revenue. As has been mentioned one-half is
Revenues.
allowed to the Gitchki family. In Kej,
Toornp, and Nussirabad, where the Gitchki Chiefs reside, they themselves collect the revenues
of their estates, and pay over the proper share to the Naib. In the other districts the revenue
is collected by the bead meu and made over to Faquir Mahomed, who pays the Gitchki Chief,
Mir Bayan, his allotted share. The system observed of imposing the taxes is as bad as
could be. The agriculturists bear the burden almost alone, and of these the poorer only,
the rich and powerful being usually exempted. One-tenth of the produce of the fields aud
groves is the property of tho Slate, added to which is a tax on inheritances. These, vrith
exception of occasional fines, aro the only sources from which the State derives revenue.
Trade aud manufactures escape free. The land tax would, no doubt, produce a considerable
iuoome, were it not that whole classeR have been exempted by grants from its infliction, and
these the wealthiest of the people. In Kej it is estimated that four-fifths of the land
property is owned by Qitchkis, Sungors, and others, claiming absolute immunity from all
taxatiou. Under these circumstances, the amount of income actually realized is ridiculously
small compared to the produce of tho country. From the Kej proviuce, after payment of
expenses, the balance 6ent to the Khan’s Treasury seldom exceeds Rupees 10,001) annually.
“From Punjgur it is believed be receiveo about Rupees 20,000.
“In the Persian Districts much the same system prevails. The amount paid by the
Judgal Chiefs of Baho aud Dustyari is above Itupccs 5,000 annually to Mir Abdullah.
When the people cannot or will not pay tho tenths, a forco is collected, which ravages the
refractory districts,”

46-26 F. D.