Page 177 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1880-81. 9
preparations were made to put him to a cruel death immediately on
arrival. The presence of some European spectators in the throng1
seems to have served so far to mitigate the form of punishment that
the Shaikh was simply strangled at the foot of the scaffold, and the
corpse gibbeted on a gallows over which was inscribed an ironical legend.*
A few of Shaikh Mazkooris followers were put to death at the same
time. It may be remarked that death by strangling is usually reserved
for Khans and persons of some dis­
Tide Appendix B, Note.
tinction, more vulgar offenders being
dismissed by cutting the throat with a knife.
llis Itoyal Highness the Mo’temid-ed-Dowlah, during his tenure
of the government of Pars, maintained very friendly relations with the
British officials. In April 1880 the Resident, accompanied by his staff,
proceeded to Shiraz to visit the Prince, and was received with much
distinction and courtesy.
The local politics of Shiraz, the seat of Government, are at all
limes somewhat variable and intricate. IIow power and influence will
be distributed under the new regime cannot be safely predicted.
I think it not out of place, however, to attach, as an appendix to
this part of the report, selected extracts
Appendix B*
from an interesting and useful memo­
randum of observations on the polities and people of Fars, which was
written by Captain E. L. Duraml, late Assistant Political Resident in
1879, and submitted iu another form.
The Eel-Khaui of the Kasbgais is Sultan Mohammed Khan, who
resides at Firozabad. Complaints of exactions were made against him
by the inhabitants of that district.
Darab Khan, the Eel-Bcgi, was at one time in danger of being
deposed, being in arrears of the amount of revenue expected from him.
A collision occurred between Darab Khan and Ids followers and the
people of the district of Falard, arising from hostility between the
Kashdais and the Bakhtiyari Eels.
Owing to two consecutive seasons of dearth, prices of food rose
throughout South Persia to famine rates, and much distress existed in
the summer and autumn. This has been relieved by the plentiful rain­
fall of last autumn aud winter.
It was announced that a sum of 100,000 tomans was to be raised
from Fare as a contribution to the expenses of the military operations
against the rebellious Kurds. A sum of 25,000 tomans was actually
collected.
Bushire.—At Bushire the case of claims of British merchants
against one Abdul Nubbee, who has attempted to defraud Messrs. Gray,
Paul & Co. in a large amount, has continued to occupy attention. The
Governor of Bushire having declined to act further in the case, and
improper influence having been brought to bear by Persians of high

^ • The ghastly^wene was photographed from adjoining palace by a lively

B