Page 240 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

93 PERSIAN GTJJiP ADIXTNI5TRA.TION REPORT
to forego all olaims on account of the Aqili raid. He received in rcfcurn
“ present ” of Tomans 5,000. *
At a result of the Sirdar-i-Jang’s representations to the Khans the 1^
oventually authorized him to sell Jarralii and the transfor was subscqucnnr
completed for a sum of Tomans 30,000. *
In March a meeting took place between Sirdar-i-Jang and Shaikh Khazal
at which a general compact of peace was concluded between the two tribes
the former acting on behalf of all the Khans. The Khans at first objected to
the figuro at which Sirdar-i-Jang had sold tho Jarrahi lands, hut later, finding
that they could squeeze no more money from the Shaikh, accepted the former’s
arrangements and executed the deeds of transfer. These deeds were delivered
to the Shaikh In November.
In June Sirdar-i-Jang announced his intention of resigning the Bakhtiari
latmal Affair Ilkhaniahip and requested tlio senior
Khans to nominate Ins successor. This
decision was caused by the attempt of Amir-i-Mujaliid to upset the arrange­
ments made by the Sirdar with tho object of ensuring the safety of the Bakh­
tiari road, and also by the attitude adopted towards him by Murtaza Kuli Khan,
his Ilbegi. The latter gradually came under the influence of Aruir-i-Mujakid
and adopted a policy of petty hostility to Sirdar-i-Jaug, which greatly embarras­
sed liim. The Sirdar’s resignation was refused by the senior Khans and he
carried on the Government as best he could until October, when he finally
announced his intention of giving up the Governorship and withdrew to his
home at Surk. The senior Kliaus at last bestirred themselves and summoned
him to proceed to Ispahan aud there discuss his grievances with them by tele­
gram. As a result of the discussion the Sirdar agreed to continue in the
Bakhtiari Governorship on tlio condition that Murtaza Kuli IChan should be
idicved by another Khan of the Ilkhaui branch as Ilbcgi. The Sirdar had not
left for the Ilaq up to the close of the year.
Mention has already been made of affairs in Behbehan and the Kuligclu
country up to the time of the withdrawal
Kuljgclo.
of the Bakhtiari expedition and the aban­
donment of the Governorship of the district by Amir-i-Mujahid. On the
departure of this Chief, the district relapsed into its normal state of uncontrol
until October, when Sirdar-i-Jang nominated two young Bakhtiari Chiefs,
Bahadur-us-Sultnneh and Iskandar Khan, to the joint Governorship of Bchbc*
lian and the Kuhgelu country.
These two Chiefs established themselves in Behbehan and busied themslyes
with collecting the revenue of the town and environs, but failed to establish
any control or authority over the Kuhgelu tribes by whom they were com-
pletely ignored.
The Bakhtiari road was open at the commencement of the year under
report. The Bakhtiari expedition against
Condition of ro&di.
the Kuhgelu tribes, its withdrawal and
abandonment of the Kuhgelu Governorship by Amir-i-Mujahid have already
been mentioned. In May Sirdar-i-Jang found himself with one month before
him in which to take steps to prevent a repetition of the orgie of disorders of
1912. The failure of the military expedition had lost him what prestige he
yersesoed with the Kuhgelu tribes; but, before taking meaures which would
inevitably involve considerable expense, he decided to test once more the efficacy
of ‘ bluff \ He sent messengers to tho Godar bridge to prevent the northward
migration of the II who consequently collected in immense numbers in
Malamir plain, and then sent bombastic messages to the Kuhgelu Chi«
ordering them to come and make their submission to him and leave hostag
for their eood behaviour during the summer months. In the event of tj1
non-compliance with his demands he threatened that he would himself lean
overwhelming force against them and utterly annihilate them. The Kubgc ^
Cbiofs duly a vpcarcd before the Sirdar, not, as tho latter had hoped, m ^
rd'e of supt) icants but on equal terms, to discuss witli him the amoun
blackmail which they were willing to accept in return for their refraining 1
raiding tho road and Bakhtiari villages situated near tho Kuligolu frontier.