Page 553 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1Q10. 57

Tho predisposing causes were numerous, but tbe radical one was the ever
present enmity, which exist* between the members of the two families, which
lias for its ultimate object tbe total extinction of the rival family, the
supreme and undivided control of the tribes, and a free hand in pur­
suing any designs and schemes without the interference and possible
opposition of the rival family. As elsewhere stated, relations between
tho Acting Ilbcgi and Acting Ilkhani, namely, Lutf Ali Khan, Amir-i-
MufTakham, and Yussuf Khan, Amir-i-Mujahid, were exceedingly strained,
while these two Chiefs were in the Low Country, and on their meet­
ing again at Chigakhor in the Cbahar Mahal, for the summer col­
lection of taxes and other matters connected with tribal administra­
tion, matters became worse. In the month of June Haji Khusro Khan, Sar-
dar-us-Zaffar, was deputed from Tehran for two objects, one to arrange mat­
ters between these Chiefs and secondly to collect forces and attack the Sowlet-
ud-Dowleh, Kashgai. The former object he failed to attain, for the simple
reason that he had no desire that the breach between the Chiefs should be
healed. During the mobilization of troops for the second objective, the mem­
bers of the Haji Ilkhani family—more particularly Lutf Ali Khan, Amir-i-
Muffakham—had been growing apprehensive that they would be forced to
turn against their friend the Sowlet-ud-Dowleh, with whom they were in
treaty, and were therefore exceedingly relieved to be afforded an opportunity
of backing out of this expedition, when telegraphic orders were received
from Tehran cancelling operations. The Amir-i-Muffakham at once dis­
banded his troops and refused to have anything more to do with the expedi­
tion, though the Sardar-us-Zaffar and the Amir-i-Mujabid were prepared to
disobey the orders received from Tehran. The Amir-i-Muffakbara even went
so far as to say that should his cousins attack the Sowlet-ud-Dowleh in the face
of the orders received from Tehran, he would attack them in the rear. This
threat had the effect of preventing the above mentioned members of the
Tlkhani family going further in the matter as regards the Sowlet, but also
had the further effect of totally estranging the Acting Executive Chiefs.
Yussuf Khan now openly showed his hostility, with the result that Lutf Ali
Khan resigned his post: at the instigation of Haji Kliusro Khan, Sardar-us-
Zaffar, the Ilkhani family forces were again remobilized and intrigues set on
foot to subborn the adherents of the opposing family, with no result, except
an attack on Mchti Kulli Khan. Salar-i-Masud, son of the Sardar-us-Zaffar,
by Ahmed Khusrois, who refused to be tampered with.
This incident was the spark in the powder, the Ilkhani adherents took
the Chigakhor fort and imprisoned Ghulam Ali Khan, who had succeeded
Lutf Ali Khan as Acting Ilbegi. This was followed by a general mobiliza­
tion of troops, and hostilities appeared imminent. After repeated telegrams
from the Medjliss, and the despatch of Agha Nurullah, the most influential
Cleric in Ispahan, and others to act as peace-makers, peace was made, and all
the Bakhtiari Chiefs summoned to Tehran, where their differences were
settled and fresh oaths of brotherhood, etc., exchanged between them.
During the senior Chief’s absence in Tehran, the duties of Acting Ilkhani
and Acting Ilbegi were performed by Muhammad Takki Khan, Ziya-us-Sul-
tan, and Ali Akbar Khan, Salar Ashraf. The year closed with the appoint­
ment of Ghulam Husein Khan, Sardar Muhteshara, and Jaffer Kulli Khan.
Sardar Bahadur, to the posts of Ilbegi and Acting Ilkhani respectively, while
the Ziva-us-Sultan and the Bahadur-us-Sultaneh were appointed to represent
the Chiefs at Andaka and Qala Zaras.
The closing year saw the Bakhtiaris divided into two factions •__the
Sardar Assad and all the other Chiefs of the Hussein Kulli Branch on the one
side, whde on the other were ranged the Sardar Muhtesham and the remain­
ing Chiefs of the Haji Imam Kuli Branch; the latter being in touch and in
agreement with the southern coalition, composed of the Shaikh of Moham-
merah and the Wall of Pusht-i-Kuh.
External Relations.—The external relations of the Bakhtiari
during the year 1910 have been equally troubled.