Page 61 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

RESIDENCY FOR TIIE TEAR 1005*1500. 81

Chatter IV.—KERMAN POLITICAL REPORT POE 1905-1803.
In tlic spring of 1905, Captain Haworth succeeded Major Sykea aa
British Consul in Kerman. He arrived in Kermnn on the 8th May, having
fallen in with a Bmall hand of robbers near Daulatabad who had recently
waylaid a merchant. They did not molest Captain Haworth’s party, however.
Captain Haworth was struck on his journey with the unconcealed aversion
of the country people to their Government and its representatives. The
Belgians also appeared to be equally disliked and he was frequently asked if it
was true that the English intended to take over the administration of the
country.
Some local excitement was caused by M. Cessari, Director of Posts and
Customs, striking a Persian ear-postal official. The man took refuge with the
Imam Juma, but the Governor interfered.
In May a certain sum, some Ts. 40,000, was required by the Shah from the
Kerman Governor on account of the previous year’s arrears of revenue. A
difficulty being raised by the Accountant-General in finding the sum without
proper security he was dismissed, the Governor appointing bis brother, Ain-
ul-Mulfc, in bis place, and one Amir-ul-Ummh, Waiir. This latter appoint­
ment wss the original cause of the Sbeiklii and Balasiri riots, the results of
which might well have been more serious than was the case, the new incum­
bent being a Sheikhi which was considered by the Balasiri Mullahs as an
innovation.
These Mullahs accordingly closed the bazar amidst general excitement
and Amir-ul-Umrah resigned his appointment, a council of five being appoint­
ed in his place.
The disturbances from this time, and owing to Balasiris provocation,
resumed by degrees more of a religious aspect than a political, and passed out
of the control of those originally responsible.
The Governor’s son, Hasbmat-us-SultaD, arrived in Kerman in the end
of June 1905, and was appointed Deputy Governor in the place of Ain-ul-
Mulk.
In July, the religious differences between the Balasiris and Sheikhis
became more serious and conflicts took place, the head Sheikhi priest with
two leading Sheikhi KbanB leaving for Tehran. Sarkar Agha was shortly
after recalled by the Governor under instructions from Tehran.
In the end of August orders were issued that a certain Mosque was to he
closed both to Balasiris and Sheikhis. The Sheikhis desisted from using the
Mosque, but the Balasiris did not, and they were ejected by the Adil-us-Sultan
who ultimately had to seek refuge from the crowd in consequence. The
people then went to the Sarkar Aglia’s house where they were fired on with
shot guns. Some troops were called out by the Governor but were not
engaged.
At this time the Balasiri Mullah, Haji Mirza Mobamed Reza, began to
obtain an influence with his sect. Be is a young man and hnd come from
Kerbela, his father having occupied a leading place amongst the Balasiris.
•On September 1st Rukn-udrDowlah was dismissed and Zafar-us-Sultana
appointed in his place.
Two incidents in which English gentlemen were insulted by the follower*
off the Mullah Hohamed Reza occurred at this time. In one case, the Bank
Manager, Mr. Eldrid, was abused for passing the Mullah in the road, and in
the other Captain Haworth himself was threatened for not saluting and get­
ting off his horse on meeting the Mullah.
The new Governor-General, His Highness Zafar-us-Sultana, arrived in
Kerman on the 7th October 1905 and proceeded at once to strengthen all
goards, and increase the garrison*