Page 314 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

30 PERSIAN OTJLP ADMINISTRATION REPORT

MR. F. PINSENT’S REPORT ON THE CONDITION OP TEG COUNTRY
BETWEEN JASK AND BAKU DISTRICTS.

The district continues to he administered by Mir Mustafa Khan, and
the condition geno rally throughout the
Jask District.
year lias been satisfactory. The Chief
himself is a quiet, well intentioned man, a bit weak perhaps, but hois well liked
by the people ho governs as he docs not burden them with heavy taxes, and
looting, so far as looting of people of all they possess, a common occurrence
in the Mckran, is unknown in this part of Persian Baluchistan. The Chief’s
eldest son, Mir Chiragh Din, gets a bit out of hand at times and has, on. two
occasions during the year, lifted a camel, each time the property of our line
establishment at Jask, which his father has had to return as the youngster had
disposed of the animal before action could be taken. Mir Mustafa Khan, has
been very friendly with his younger brother Mir Barkat, rendering assistance
whenever possible, but for this he can hardly be blamed as it pays him to keep
on the good side of a powerful man like his brother.
Mir Hot i of Jask is of very little use to anyone, he has no following ar.d
very little influence in any part of the country, hut he gives no trouble and
does his best to look after our interests in a humble way.
Mir Haji was, up to very recently, tho ruler of this part of Persian
Baluchistan, hut after his death Mir
Linban District.
Barkat assumed control of the district
and it is said will be recognized by the Persian authorities in due course.
Trouble continued throughout the year between these two Chiefs, sinalL engage-
ments periodically occurring in which a few casualties have each time b CCH
reported. The ill-feeling between these two has existed for a number of years.
Besides, Barkat has never forgotten the part played by Mir Haji in connection
with the murder of his younger brother Muhammad Khan towards the end
of July 1912, and the fighting which took place on the 2(»th October lost and
which ended in the death of Mir Haji was an act Barkat has indirectly long
been trying to accomplish. Liu* Haji was too weak a ruler for an important
district like Biaban, and it would be quite a good thing if the Persian autho­
rities recognised Barkat. Several stories in connection with Mir Haji’s death
had reached me, but the following is as true a report as one can expect from
people who are in the habit of exaggerating anything in connection with a
tight. Por some unknown reason all the Tahrzai tribe—a small and warlike
tribe—deserted Mir Haji and joined Mir Barkat on his arrival at a place called
Kardir, a small village in the Biaban district. These men on deserting Haji
urged Barkat to fight and left with the latter and 20 followers for Mishi, where
they looted all the property there belonging to Mir Haji’s ryots. The villagers
of Mishi complained to Mir Haji at Sirik, who sent a man to Barkat asking
for an explanation. Barkat’s reply was to the effect that he had several blood
feuds to settle with Haji and that he had come with the intention of ^ settling
them, more particularly that of his brother Muhammad Khan. Haji agreed
to settle the Latter, only urging that he was quits as regards the others as
Bavkat in turn had killed many of his slaves from time to time. This reply
was considered urn atisfactory by Barkat, who said Haji had killed Baluchi
ryots of his, the slaves he had killed of Haji’s could not be recognised a3
belonging to the same class and that he wanted compensation accordingly*
Barkat then proceeded to Sirik. Haji offered his youngest son in place of the
lato Muhammad Khan saying he could shoot him if that would be any consola­
tion to Barkat. This offer Barkat refused to accept and he was urged by hi*
people to take compensation in the shape of property, animals, etc., but l?0*0**
a decision was arrived at, the Tahrzai tribe warned Barkat that Haji *
preparing to fight and the Chief then sent his followers to surround the jo
in which Ilaji bad taken refuge. It is stated that Haji’s men fired the
shot and after this firing was general and lasted over an hour,
on it transpired that, at the commencement of the fight, Mir Haji» _
looking out of a window, being surprised to hear the report of the go
received a bullet in his head killing him instantaneously, From the rc„