Page 136 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

32 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PER8IAN GULF

TTie ancient enmity existing between them and the Bakhtiaris is yearly accen­
tuated by the raids and robberies which they commit in Baklitiari territory and
more especially on the Ahwaz-Ispahan Road.
The Bakhtiari Khans continually profess to be anxious to follow up the
Kuiigalu to their own country and inflict punishment on them. The Persian Gov­
ernment however persists in refusing permission and the Khans are thereby furnished
with a ready-made excuse for whatever insecurity makes its appearance in their
country. It has been seen elsewhere that they have held back from availing them­
selves of the radical remedy which was put within their reach, that of themselves
taking over the Government of the Bchbahan and Kuhgalu district.
It is probable that while they are unwilling to part with a perennial complaint
wherewith to counter charges of bad administration against themselves, they are
also not entirely prepared in spite of their boasting to measure themselves force to
force against the Kuhgalu. who are numerous and well-armed, and inhabit a veiy
difficult country.
Further suspicion is cast on the sincerity of the Khans by the well known
fact that the Samsamhas a private understanding with the second most import­
ant chief of the tribe, Ali Naqi (of the Taibi), while the Shahab is on similar terms
with the most notable of all—Karim Khan (of the Bair Ahmadi).
39. In July the. Kuhgalu made a raid in force on Deh Diz, at that season near­
ly emptied of its inhabitants, and carried off a caravan of some thirty mules which
were carrying loads for Messrs. Lynch Brothers.
The local authorities at Deh Diz. who have marriage ties with the Kuhgalu,
presumed to visit the robbers in their homes thinking to negotiate the restoration
of the property.
They were instead taken prisoners and mulcted of money and rifles.
The Bakhtiari Khans have since paid up compensation to Messrs. Lynch
Brothers.
40. Very little is known about the internal affairs of the Kuhg&iu, but they
are much split up into mutually hostile factions.
The tribesmen are in a pronounced degree of the savage and law-defying char­
acter which is the distinguishing feature of all Lur communities, bat Karim Khau
is said to be a superior man and it is asserted that it would be quhe possible to
visit the country under his auspices, but sufficient reason or opportunity for doarg
eo has not yet presented itself. Until study is made on the spot, knowledge o! the
Kuhgalu will remain unsatisfactory.
41. Appended to this report will be found a table showing the sections of tsw
Kuhgalu according to the best information at present available. Geographical
references cannot in most cases be located-

LUR 1ST AN.
42. Internal.—The Governorship of Luristan was taken from the Farman
Farma and conferred on the Salar ud Daulab early in 1906.
The Dirakwand Chiefs who were in confinement in Kermanshah on account
of the Luristan outrage were taken over by the Salar ud Danish and removed to
Khurramabad.
The Sagwand Chief Mihr Ali Khan, who was also in confinement was poisoned
by his orders at Burujird. In autumn the Dirakwand Chiefs addressed tbemsekes
to Khanj an asking for his friendly offices, but were repulsed. This is on Khanj an *
authority.
43. Late in the autumn the Wali of Pusht i Kuh joined the Salar with an arm­
ed force. They kept the field east of Khurramhad for some time, and engage­
ments took place with the strong recalcitrant tribe of the Bairanwand. As repo
go there were casualties on both sides without any decisive results being obtainc .
An idea of coercing the Dirakwand was entertained and minatory messages
were sent them, but action did not follow.
Eventual!v the Wali, tired of the exhibition of his inefficiencyr leiunied to
his own country in the beginning of 1907 having sustained a loss of 20 or 30 men-