Page 59 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

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RE8IDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1005-1006. 40
I
Of these, the Kalliors, GuraDS, Kerindis and the Zanganas provide regi­
ments for Bcrvice in the district. Theso regiments, however, although nomi­
nally about 1,000 strong, can very rarely muster more than 300 or bo ragged,
ill-armed men.
My figuros above for the number of tents or houses of the tribes are taken
from Persian sources, and in every caso would probably be more accurate if
divided by two, but unfortunately, I have no means for accurately checking
them.
Kurdistan.—The principal events in this province during the year have
been connected with the Governorship of His Imperial Highness the Prince
Salar-ed-Dowleh, who replaced His Excellency the Nasir-ul-Mulk in April
1905. The Salar-ed-Dowloh had previously been Governor of Kermanshah,
but had attempted to revolt against the Shah’s authority, and had to make his
submission at Tehran. He was then given the Governorship of Kurdistan,
which, being so far removed from Tehran, is accounted almost banishment.
His Imperial Highness’s first act on arrival at Senna was to deoapitate the
Ferasli Bashi,—a man who had made a fortune out of bis post. He then
executed a notorious robber, and, so, having thoroughly frightened everybody,
proceeded, according to current rumour, to make as much profit as possible
out of the province under his rule. Eis Imperial Highness caused the degra­
dation of the hereditary Vizier of Kurdistan, and is said to have taken a very
large sum of money from him.
He also made arrangements with the Jaff tribe, who had been for many
years in the habit of coming down from Turkish territory and raiding in the
province of Kurdistan, with the result that no repressive measures against
them were necessary.
In December 1905 His Imperial Hi&lmess was appointed to be Governor
of Luristan, and was succeeded by His Highness the Jeiial-ed-Dowieh, a son of
Ris Imperial Highness the Zil-es-Sultan at Isfahan.
Under the Governor of Kurdistan are the Districts of Sakiz and Gerous
each with a Deputy Governor. The Governor of Sakiz is the Chief of the
Sakizi tribe (Kurds), while the Governor of Gerous is appointed from Senna.
Beyond the vagaries of His Imperial Highness, oaibnsg of interest has
occurred in the province of Kurdisian during the year under report.
The Gorernor of Hamadan during the last year was the Yamines-Suitan.
By far the most powerful person at Hamadan, however, is the Amir-i-Afkham,
now Governor of Kermanshah. Hamadan possesses five regiments, three of
the Karaguzlu tribe (two belonging to the Amir-i-Afkhatn, and one to the
Zia-ul-Mulk), one of the Buchalu tribe, the property of Abdulla Khan, and
one of the Khalaj tribe, the property of one Ahmed Khan.
There are also three hundred sowars, under the orders of the Amir-i-
Afkham, and there are a few guns, but no trained Artillerymen to serve them.
The guns are mostly antiquated small muzzleloaders.
The Russian “ Banque d’Escompte ” have an Agent at Hamadan, but he
has not so far done much business,—in fact, from all I hear, the Russian Bank
is losing money at Hamadan.
The Imperial Bank of Persia have also an Agent at Hamadan, Mr. Carapet
Zohrab, an Armenian. This gentleman very mnch wishes to be made His
Majesty's Vice-Consul for Hamadan, but I du not think that there is at present
any need for the appointment.
The Kazwin-Hamadan road has been finished during the year, bat no
carriages have been placed upon it The “ Mehmfin-Kbanehs,” or rest-houses,
have been finished, but they are said to contain no conveniences for travellers.
There is talk, however, of placing motor cars upon the road, though it is
hard to see how they oould possibly pay.
Hamadan is tbe headquarters of an American Presbyterian Mission, and
schools and a church have been built.
Most of the work of these Missionaries lies amongst the
Jews of whom there are many living in Hama dan. There are also
some