Page 555 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1910. 69
trouble would appear to bo the attitude adopted by the Sowlet-ud-Dowleh aa
a counterpoise to the Bakhtiari predominance in Tehran, while the im­
mediate causes were the looting by the Kashgai of the Laraki (Turks), who
have become Bakhtiari subjects through taking up their residence in Bakh­
tiari territory, counter raids in reprisal 'for same, the looting of the Ispahan
district by Kashgais, and the protection afforded to Garib Khan by the
Sowlet-ud-Dowleh.
The question became acute in June, when the Sardar-us-Zaffar was or­
dered to mobilize an. army to attack the Sowlet,. who in turn threatened to
march on Ispahan and Tehran. Both sides mobilized their forces and a colli­
sion seemed imminent. No serious collision occurred however, only an affair
of outposts occurring at Ganduman, near Imam Qais, in the vicinity of which,
both forces were massing. During this time emissaries were constantly going
to and fro, trying to arrange terms, and on the receipt of telegraphic orders ■
from Tehran cancelling theexpedition, the Haji Ilkhani Branch of the Bakh- :
tiaris, as elsewhere stated, withdrew their support, with the result that no It
further action was taken against the Sowlet-ud-Dowlch, and the Sardar-us-
Zaffar’s intrigue turned into another channel, as mentioned supra under II
“ Internal Relations.”
In connection with the above it is interesting to note that, in April, when
in the Low Country,«Lutf Ali Khan, Amir-i-Muffakham, made a secret agree­
ment for mutual support with Shaikh Khazal, the Shaikh of Mohammerah,
and that when the collision between the Bakhtiaris and the Sowlet-ud-Dowleh i
was impending, the latter telegraphed to Shaikh Khazal of .Mohammerah \
asking his assistance in accordance with the agreement, which had been made
between them and the Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh in the spring. This telegraphic
request for assistance, which was in code, came to the knowledge of His
Majesty's Consul, Ahwaz. who was at that time in Ispahan, who at once in­
formed the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and the Shaikh of Moham-
merah was warned not to interfere.
Among the minor events of Bakhtiari external relations may be men­
tioned the trouble with the Burburidis, regarding the question of grazing
rights and payment for same, which resulted in the kilting of some and the
total looting of the rest of the Bakhtiari Mamurs (agents) sent to collect pay­
ment by the Burburidis, and a raid by the Iiajiwand, in connection with the
same question, on the Camp of Muhammad Jawad Khan, Muntazzim-ud-
Dowleh, at Abbed.
Relations with the Central Government.—As the question of relations
with the Central Government hardly now comes within the purview of this
Consulate, only the question of posts, Governorships, etc., held will be dealt
with.
During the month of March Muhammad Jawad Khan, Muntazzim-ud-
Dowleh, was deputed, with a small force of sowars to assist the Governor-
General of Arabistan in collecting outstanding taxes in Dizful.
In-April, 400 Bakhtiari Sowars, under Jaffer Kulli Khan, Sardar-i-
Bahadur, together with 170 fedais, 100 Persian cossacks and some artillery
under Yeprem were despatched to subdue the Shaseven tribe, which had been
pillaging m the Ardabil district. ^ The expedition returned about a month
later, having accomplished their mission successfully.
In the month of March Garib Khan revolted and Sultan Muhammad
Khan, Sardar Ashraf, at that time Governor-General, Ispahan, went with a
force, said to number 1,400 men, to Kumisheh to subdue him. The revolt was
queued, but Garib Khan escaped.
SniJn Ai,errSrill^ou PTtiv* expedition was despatched against the Tebi,
nni1 n A l Shahab-us-Sultaneh being in command: for further details
and Governorship of Behbehan see heading “ Kuhgelus (page 61).”
In May Haji Ali Kulli Khan, Sardar Assad, who was Minister of the
Interior, exchanged posts with the Sipahdar, becoming Minister of War, and
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