Page 419 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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belief wa9 said to bo confirmed in the minds of the people by the absence of
any ruler of weight or position at Kerman, from which the Firman Firma, a
more than usually vigorous Persian Administrator, had, soon after the Shah’s
death, bo taken himself to the capital. The popular voice accordingly affirmed
that the fulfilment of the prophecy had come, and that no Shah in fact existed.
This 8'ime belief was curiously heard of later as prevailing around Jask also.
148. In February 1897 reports wore rocoived of disturbances and com­
plete anarchy and disorder ruling in Persian
External A, April 1897, Noa. 191-211.
lialuchistan, and Colonel Wilson was i
obliged to write to Sir Mortimer Durand—“ I deem it my duty to urge that
this position, i.c., the complete abnegation by the Persians of the ordinary
duties and responsibilities of a Government in quite normal circumstances is
fraught with peril to our interests and their fulfilment of the first obligations
of a Government should ho insisted upon.”
The leader of the disturbances was Husain Khan, who we have
roforred to frequently before [ he* had been appointed a Governor of Dashtiyari
and Charbar in 1881 and was removed from his place on account of his oppres­
sive rule], In January 1897 ho deputed his brother Mir Ashraf Khan to
the Director of the Persian Gulf telegraphs in political charge of the Mekran
coast complaiuing of Persian oppression und asking for British protection.
149. The other ring-leaders in the insurrection were :—
Mir Abdulla I Sardar Kadcrdad Kban.
Sardar Mohoracd Kban.
160. Zain-ul-Abadin was the Governor of Bampur at this time, and the
discontent of the Baluchis was attributed to the rigour with whioh he exacted
his heavy imposts at a time when the people had been impoverished by a bad
season and his tyranny and oppression iu other ways. The Governor marched
with the troops available agaiust the insurgents, but could do little for quell­
ing the insurrection.
161. The British Government could not look on unconcerned in this
state of things, for ou one side there was great danger to our telegraph and
the employes connected with it, and on the other hand the British Indian
subjects residing at Jask, Charbar and other places in Mekran would be
great sufferers with in life and property by the disturbances, unless they !
were quickly stopped.
152. In April 1897 the village of Jask was raided upon by about 80
Baluchis and several British Indian
8ecrct E., Auguat 1897, Noi. 109-110.
traders were looted of property valued at
about Rs. 6,000. Mr. Wyndham at once brought these facts to tho notice
of the Mushir-ed-Dowlah and in view of the importance of the Persian
Government to afford proper protection to the inhabitants of Jask he instructed
the Resident at Bushire to despatch the Sphinx, if he should think it
necessary for the protection of the lives and property of British subjects at
Jask.
153. The Persian ship JPeyscpolis was despatched to Jask in order to
restore order and on arrival garrisoned the fort with 100 Serbazees, artillery,
etc.
161. There was no doubt that the BalmUis had legitimate and real griev-
ances against the rule of Zain-ul-Abadin,
E«erot E, Septembor 1897, Nob. 139-187.
Governor of Bampur. Mr. Charles
Hardinge, British Cliargd d’Affaires at Teheran, made therefore strong '
representations to the Shah’s Government, with the result that Zain-ul-Abadin
was recalled and the charge of the province was temporarily entrusted to
Suleiman Khan.
(il) Harder Of Hr. Graves and measures taken to trace and punish the murderers
December 1807—Jauuary 1898.
155. In the midst of this disturbed state of the country Mr. Graves, Acting
Superintendent in Telegraph Department,
Seoret E., Auguat 1898, Noi. 11-237.
was murdered on the night of 2nd Decem­
ber 1897 by Baluchis at the Rapoh river half-way between Charbar and Jask.
Seo paragraph 108, anf«.