Page 261 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND TIIE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR TnE YEAR 1007 1008. 77

CHAPTER VP
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PER8IAN-MEKRAN COAST.
Minab (exclusive) to Gwettuu (inclusive).
Including the Pintricts of Biyaban, Jnslt, Gnih. Dashty&ri and Baba.
(For approximate boundaries oco Administration Report for 1905-1000.)
Biyaban.
In April 1907, Mir Barkat took over from Mir Haji one-fifth of the
Biyaban district, embracing that portion of the coast between Kuh-Mubarak
and Earai Creek, and it will be seen from the Arms Traffic Report, which
follows, that this strip of coast has been greatly in evidence during the year
in connection with the smuggling of arms by Afghans, many heavy con­
signments having been successfully lauded within it by the help of Mir
Barkat.
Jask District.
No disturbances have occurred in the Jask district during the year, but a
great deal of jealousy exists botween Mir Mustapha Khan and his younger
brother Mir Barkat. Up to the present Mustapha Khan lias been the recog­
nised head of the district, being some twenty years senior to his brother, but
lately Barkat has gained considerable power, and is now inclined to interfere
more than he should in the administration of the Jask district. The arms
traffic has been directly responsible for the breach betweon the brothers.
Mir Barkat’s power is increasing, and also his propensity for fighting and
looting. In January 1908, he took a strong force to Sindak in Bashkard, and
looted property to the value of 20,000 krans. The Bashkardis recently came
down to Barkat’s district in Biyaban to revenge the attack, but they were not
strong enough to do any serious damage, and were repulsed by Mir Barkat,
who was assisted by Mir Haji of Biyaban.
There are also other incidents whioh have occurred during the year of
Barkat’s looting unoffending Baslikardi traders on their way to the coast and
for many months in the year he forbade the Bashkardis to trade with the
Jusk district.
In March 1908, Mir Barkat accompanied the Governor of Bushire to
Charbar and did good service in connection with the Customs trouble. He
journeyed to Gaih and induced Sardar Syed Khan to come to Charbar to meet
the Governor of Bushire.
The Governor of Bushire is apparently helping Barkat to gain a position
in the country and it is quite possible that before long he will be installed as
Chief of the Jask district.
Only one case of slave dealing was reported during the year. Three boys
wore taken from the portion of Biyaban district governed by Mir Barkat, by
one Hot Eakir Mohamed, and shipped to Suwaik on the Arab Coast. Hot
Fakir Mohamed was formerly headman of tbe Parag sub-district. He lives
at Suwaik but he is on friendly terms with the Jask Chiefs and often visits
them. It seems that Mir Barkat is implicated with Hot Fakir Mohamed, aud
as the slaves arc captured in his district it is quite probable that be obtains
a fair portion of the profits. Biyaban is well out of touch of tbe telegraph
lino and this makes it difficult to obtain information of tlio extent of the traffic
to the Arab Coast, but it is probable that Hot Fakir Mohamed has been
successful in exporting other consignments of slaves besides the case reported.
Very little rain fell this season, and although the date orop is not very
Rft!nf,u .ad Crop., seriously affected, tbe barley wheat
and mustard crops nave failed, and
drought is general throughout tbe district. The large number of Afghans
who have been established in tho district for the past fow months have bought
up practically all that remained of last year’s crops, whioh seriously affects the
poorer classes, who are unable to import grain.