Page 472 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

48 PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
reports in circulation concerning tho property left by the Saiyid. Some say
lie was enormously rich for tlicso parts and had besides a largo number 0f
rifles with a corresponding quantity of ammunition amongst his possessions.
Others ridicule the idea and state ho was only a trader on a small scalo and
died practically a poor man. Mir Barkat is credited with having taken over
all the Saiyid’s cstato and report has it that over 500 rifles passed into hi8
hands. This is, howover, only a suspicion, unsupported by proof.
Sardar Islam Khan, the recognised chief of these districts, has the
reputation of boing a strong man and
Bint and Kanran.
woll disposed towards us, but ho (lid not
show up well during tho earlier part of tho year when great unrest provailed
in the Karwan district, tho Khalifa Khair Muhammad for some unknown
reason being permitted to cut the lines or urge the people to do so whenever
it pleased him. The Jouslidaris and other Karwanis, under tho instigation of
tho Khalifa between February and July last, on eight occasions, interrupted
communication between Jask and Oharbar, thus rendering the land-lines
useless to Karachi and seriously interfering with tho traflic between Meso­
potamia and India. The duration of interruptions during these months totalled
17 days, tho cause varying from destruction of the lines to the removal of
insulators. Islam Khan, when referred to, always replied to the effect that he
was powerless to interfere with the Khalifa and his doings, as the man had all
tho country with him, and that lie could only take steps to pacify the people
when our Government came forward to assist him with munitions and men.
Since August last little or nothing has been heard of the Khalifa ; from being
openly hostile he appears to have quieted down and reports have come in that
ho was desirous of being friendly and it bas also been said that he regretted
his past conduct. At the time of wiitiug the Khalifa is residing at Mogansba-
boo, a village in the Hint district.
About July last, in a squabble between Mirza Khan, one of Islam Khan’s
brothers and the son. of the latter, the result of a dispute concerning the right
to collect revenue in certain districts, a fight ensued at Bint and w’ith it the
death of Mirza Khan who was killed by a stray bullet. The first report
received of the fight exaggerated the casualties which were said to he many ;
later on it came to light that Mirza Khan was the only one to receive mortal
injuries and that the. cause was due to the man coming out in the open when
both sides were firing wildly at the time. The death of Mirza Khan has been
the cause of a deal of friction between the younger brothers (Nagdi and Saliib
Khan) aud Islam Khan, the former asserting that the elder brother (Islam
Khan) was the instigator of his death and that Ins son had instructions to do
away with him. But from information received such is not the case ; Mirza's
death was the result of an accident; if he had remained under cover until the
excitement subsided, no harm would have come to him. Several influential
chiefs, including Mir Barkat of Biaban and Mir Mustafa Khan of Jask, are
interesting themselves in the affair and will shortly proceed to Bint with the
intention of bringing about a reconciliation between the brothers.
Since the death of Sardar Saiyid Khan his eldest son Hussain Khan, *
boy of about 12 years, is the leading Sar­
Gaih and Kuiorkaod.
dar of these districts, and judging by his
actions at this immature age it would appear that he will probably turn out a
strong man. At present the boy is supposed to be under the guardianship «
Sardar Islam Khan of Bint who is nominally managing the affairs of tho
district, but the guardian is fast losing the little control he ever had by hi*
unpopularity and meanness. It is said that, by tho express wish of the late
Saiyid Khan, this chief was appointed guardian and in spite of tho opposition
raised by closer relations of the late Sardar, who naturally resent
interference by a distant connection, as they consider it more their right to
control the country during the minority of Hussain Khan. Besides, the
a ppointment of Islam a9 guardian has created jealousy amongst all the chiefs
the Mekrau and he is only adding to his unpopularity by his close ways* "
being reported that Hussain Khan and his followers are stinted in every Wl
and supplies cut down to a minimum.

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