Page 220 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

3G 'ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF TIIE PERSIAN
GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

They bad begged for (ho protection of the Bakhtiari, but this had been
[heS^^'nr00"1'0 SU,n W<TC 1>aid U,*nB dnmaSvs for the incident of

The Bakiniaris now pressod the question and fell on such Sagwand as
were within their reach. Eventually they rcdueid their demands and a <ctile-
ment was arrived at.
33. The other matters with which they occupied themselves was the
collection of the Bizful revenue. Here again a compromise was arrived at,
certain of the principal inhabitants making themselves responsible for iho
payment of the revenue, less ccrtaiu remissions.
This point was, howovor, not reached until the town had been put in a
state of defence and the liakhtiaris had with dilliculty seized a portion of it.
They had on their side tho influence of the Qutb-us-badat, hut were hard put
to it for supplies. They eventually took up their quarters in the palace
Kushk on the right bank of the Biz, where their pnsenco did not serve to
enhance the peace of the neighbourhood. They returned to Ab Bi<J towards
the end of February.
31. In spring tho bridge over the Biz, on which the prosperity of the
town mainly deponds, was seriously damaged by floods. Temporary repa rs
were executed which rendered it passable, and more extensive operations were
undertaken when the river readied its low summer level. A promaturo rise in
the river in autumn, however, swept away the barrages made to facilitate the
work, and rendered further efforts impossible. This bridge is failin'? into
decay, and as there is not the slightest likelihood of its ever being submitted
to intelligent and adequate restoration, its transfer to the antiquarian list of
Persian public works is merely a matter of time.
35. The friendly relations now' existing for 6ome years between the Vice-
Consulate and the aged and estimable chief Mujtahid of Bizful, Sheikh
Muhammad llassan, and his 6on Sheik Muhammad Baqir were fully maintained
during the year.

The Bakhtiari.
3G. Internal affairs.—The early part of the period occupying attention
was marked by important events in the domestic affairs of the Bakhtiari
Khans.
More through the influence of his brother the Shuja-us-Sultan in Tehran
than by bis own efforts the Shahab-us-Sultanah succeeded in securing for
himself in April the Ilkhaniship of the tribes, while the llbcgiship was con­
ferred on his brother, the Sarum-um-Mulk. This implied the displacement of
the S:imsam-us*Sultanah who was duly deposed.
The Samsam resented his deposition, and for some time affairs were in a
position in which among any more virile nationality active hostilities wou
have been inevitable.
Orders were issued from Tehran for the despatch of the Samsam to the
capital, but. he defied *hem, and tho Sbaliah’s valour could rot rise to the pom
of attempting compulsion.
The first part of the play was enacted at Malnroir, but- eventual y o
Samsam made off with what speed he might up the Ispahan roa »
wounded bear to uso his own not inapt description.
E-tablishing himself in the Chabfinaahal lie set himself to destroy al iaw
and order in the country. Caravans were robbed daily,and at bis 1 £
raid was made on the property of the Oil Syndicate by a parly of o ;
The Sardar Mukarram passing through the country on his w? tohons
espoused the cause of tho Shaliab with whom he travelled up to A • th
efforts were, however, unavailing.to frighten the Samsam or stiffen