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"It will be seen from tho papers now forwarded that British traders at Charbar have been
extensively plundered by the Pcsian advance foice, and reduced almost to the verge of starva­
tion. Wo lmvo ncroidinirly, and with a view to the prntouiiuii of tho Telcgmph "fficiuls,
moved Hor Majo»ty’s Minister at Teheran to call upon the Persian (Government to prevent tho
rocurroaco of similar outrages, and directed that a gun-boat bo stationed in the harbour to keep
watch, and, if noocssary, afford a refuge to any British subjects who may claim protection.
Tho claims of British subjects to compensation for the injuries inflicted on them havo been
reserved.
“We havo further requested the Bombay Government to instruct the Political Agent at
Gwadur to proceed to Charbar with the gun-boat; to take all necessary measures for the pro­
tection of tho lives and property of British subjects; to enquire.into uud report on the extent of
tho injury dono to them; and to warn them to abstain from taking part in the quarrel,
making it understood that lie is not there for political interference, or with a view to the
restoration of the place to the Maskat authorities."
269. Captain Miles, Acting Assistant Political Agent, Mckran Coast,
• Enclosure of No. 1553, dated 13th March 1873, reported * in full on the taking of
from Bombay. Charbar—
“On tho departure of the Wukcel-ool-Mulk for Bampoor from Kusserkund, Surteep
Ibrahim Khan, who had accompanied him, proceeded on to Charbar, an advance force of his
troops under Mccr llosscin Kliau of Gaili arriving there about midnight on the 2.st instant.
The fort of Charbar, which mounted four guns, was held by Syud Abdool Azecz with about
thirty Arabs and Bclooch followers. He resisted the Persians for about three hours when,
finding, after tho loss of several men, that defence was hopeless, he evacuated the fort and
escaped to a boat in the harbour.
“ It docs not appear tliat Syud Abdool Azecz was called on to surrender, as the attack was
made immediately on arrival of the Persians. Mccr Hosscin Khan states, however, that the
Naib of Tecz (a Beloochco) began without orders wishing to loot the place.
“Surteep Ibrahim Khan did not arrive at Charbar until the day after the capture, and left
again yesterday for Kusserkund, after appointing Mcer Hosscin Kliau in charge of the
town.
“ The British traders and other inhabitants had fortunately removed their families and
most of their property from the town the day previous to the attack, as the Persians commenced
plundering directly the fighting was over. The town is still empty and great disorder prevails,
the inhabitants refusiug to return until the soldiers have left. The British subjects report
their losses at between Its. 1,300 and 1,4-00.”
260. On the 4th March Captain Miles submitted t Surtip Ibrahim Khan's
t Endoiure of No. 1783, dated 22nd March 1872, reply to his letter communicating the
from Bombay. views of the Government of India regard­
ing Charbar. Ibrahim Khan wrote:—
“ It is incumbent on me to reply to what you have written regarding Charbar. It is
not unknown to you that Charbar belongs to Persia, and has from ancient times formed part
of the Mekran Coast. No one can say the Sultan of Maskat has any right to it. This was
determined last year by the Commissioners appointed by Persia and England.
“ In this year Sultan Abdool Azecz has seized and confined in his vessel Ismail Ashoori,
a servant of Persia, and two (Persiau) merchants who were bringing goods from Maskat.
“ I beg from your kindness that you will inform him (Abdul Azeez) that on account of
this property, regarding which nothing has yet passed, he should not havo seized a servant of
Persia, and that he should send them back at once to Charbar, otherwise I shall be compelled
in the samo^ way to sieze himself and ship by sea, and in retaliation to plunder the Bunder of
Gwadur, which belongs to Maskat."
261. Captain Miles commented.
“The two Persian merchants, referred to in the latter part of this letter as having been
fiiezed by his HighncsB Syud Abdul Aziz, have 6ince been released, but the property and
money taken from the buglaarc 6till in possession of His Highness. The man Ismail Khoja
Ashoori has been sent here for confinement in the fort, but I have not interfered to release
him, as it appears very doubtful as to whether or no ho is a British subject.
**No alteration has taken place in tho state of affairs at Charbar since my last. Hossein
Khan remains in charge, and Syud Abdul Azecz is still in bis boat iu tho harbour watching
his opportunity.
“ Some days ago a bugla arriving from Maskat was siczcd on by Syud Abdul Azeez,
and the sum of 800 Dollars, the property of Charbar merchants, taken out of her. She was
then despatched to Soor to engage and bring over a number of mon to assist him in his
attack on Charbar fort. A boat was also despatched to Khabooiah about the samo time for
the samo purpose.
“Tho traders at Charbar havo taken rofugo near the Telegraph station, being afraid to
return to the village while the Persian authorities arc there, and as their property is still
detained by Hosseiu Khan, they are unable to leave the place as they wish to do.”