Page 313 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND TUE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1900. 13

SHIRAZ ANNUAL REPORT, APRIL 1ST TO DECEMBER 31ST, 1908.
The history of the period falls naturally into three parts, which may be oenerai.
entitled respectively, Government, Misgovernment and No-government. It
opens with a short interlude of peace and order under H. I. H. Zil-es-Sultan
followed by over two months of active misgovernment by the Sardar Firuz;
and for the remainder of the year all government gradually dissolved in the
incapable hands of Asaf-cd-Dowleh. Peace reigned in Shiraz itself through­
out the nine months under report, for reasons which will be discussed under
the heading “Local Politics” but the state of the rest of the province is
clearly indicated by the epidemic of road robberies, which reached its highest
point during the autumn migration of the tribes.

The appointment of Ilis Imperial Highness Zil-cs-Sultan had already Local
been notified in March, but he did not actually arrive until May 8th. TheauthoritiM-
terror of his name had, however, gone before him, and complete order reigned
on the principal trade routes during April, though the outskirts of the city
continued disturbed until his arrival. He was dismissed after the Shah’s
coup d'etat, apparently as the result of the compromising proceedings of his
adherents in Tehran, and left on July 6th. It must be admitted that he never
imposed any effective control upon the more remote and contumacious tribes,
such as the Kuhgalu and Lashani, and also that the confident expectations of
progress with the settlement of British claims which were founded on his
advent were destined to be disappointed; but it must be remembered that he
found the province in a state of complete disorganisation, and that his
personal presence in Shiraz lasted for two months only. During that period
the city was under complete control, and the province for the most part quiet,
while the commerce of Fars has to thank Zil-es-Sultan for four months of
comparatively safe circulation, during which period a large quantity of goods
were brought forward. It is to be feared that it will be long before ano'ther
such opportunity occurs.
Asaf-ed-Dowleh.—Appointed on the departure of Zil-es-Sultan, arrived
at Shiraz on September 21st; still in office at the end of the year. This official
was, unfortunately, no stranger to this post, in which he had displayed his
natural incapacity in 1902. The news of his appointment was received with
derision, his arrival regarded with apathy, and his orders treated with con­
tempt.
He is religious and asthmatic; personally polite, with some verbal in­
genuity in argument, and great readiness in professions of friendship; is
commonly in his anderun, especially when prompt aotion is required and is’in
general oqually obstinate and ineffective.
Karguzar.—Muazed-ed-Dowleh held this post throughout the period.
He is personally friendly, and always ready to assist in petty matters, not
beyond suspicion of venality, and very loath to take action liable to compro­
mise him with any important person or class. This is perhaps not unnatural
under the circumstances, as he could look for no support from the Governor-
General. He is noteworthy for keeping his correspondence in better order
than most Persian officials,.
Deputy-Governor.—Under Zil-es-Sultan—Mushir-ul-Mulk. A hard­
working and hard-worked official, but a mere instrument in the hands of his
master.
Under Asaf-ed-Dowleh—Sardar-Firuz. This person is a fellow tribes­
man and relative of Asaf-ed-Dowleh, who sent him to Shiraz in advance to
manage the province until his own arrival, tie arrived on July 16th and
continued to administer affairs with a single eye to his own profit until the
arrival of Asaf-ed-Dowleh. He is a drunken boor.
Dcglcrbegi.—This post was held throughout the period by Ata-ed-Dow-
leh of the well known Nuri family, who was also in sole charge during the
short interregnum between the departure of Zil-es-Sultan and the arrival of
Sardar Firuz.