Page 626 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

4 4 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY"
oxprcssod their intention of remaining in the high country throughout th«
winter and their resignation would in all probability have followed had not
the Civil Commissioner promised them financial assistance provided the*
started for the low country without delay A slight reaction in our favour
occurred in March, when Sardars Jang and Assad piqued at the behaviour of
8ardar Mohatasbam who-liad deliberately spoilt Jang’s chances of getting the
Isfahan Governorship, telegraphed to the Ilikhani and Illbcgi urging them to
support ono another and promising to counteract the attempts of Samsam-uj.
Sultaneli and Sardar Mohatasham to oust them from office.
8aidars Zaffar, Ashjaa and Fateh reached Ahwaz on the 16th April
Lengthy conversations with His Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul ensued the up.'
shot of which was that the Khans renewed their promises to protect the Oilfield
and the Lynch road, aad to expel hostile agents from Bakhtiari in return
for financial assistance, and the loan of two mountain guns to enable them to
punish the Kughilus.
Considerable importance was attached to the projected Kughilu expedition
since it would tend to divert the attention of the Khans away from Isfahan,
where a Bakhtiari coup was feared, until late in the season. It was also
essential to forestall the Kughilus who. were known to be contemplating raids on
the Lynch Hoad on an even more ambitious scale than the previous year.
Sardar Zadar experienced considerable difficulty in collecting troops owing
to the famine conditions prevailing in Bakhtiari and the widespread belief that
our guns would accomplish nothing against the Kughilu forts and that the
troops would consequently return without pay or plunder. By means of
threats and promises however a sufficient force was finally collected and the
expedition left Earn Hormuz for Behbehan cn June 4th, accompanied bra
section of the 31st Mountain Battery under a British officer, and by His
Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul. The totaliuumber of'Bakbtiari troops engaged
(including friendly Kughilus) was about 2,500, of whom 1.500 were Cavalry.
The Illkbani and lllbegi remained in Bebbeban, the actual commanders of the
force being Sardar Fateh and Sarim-ul-Mulk who repressuted the Haji
Ilikhani aud Iilkhani families respectively.
The expedition which has been fully described elsewhere met with the
most gratifying success. Lindah the stronghold of the Taybi Garmsiri (All
Muhammad Khan) was reached on June 17th and reduced after a short bombard­
ment. During the ensuing negotiations a deputation arrived from Fort Baisi,
the stronghold of Ali Murad Khan of the Taybi Sarhadi, who have been
responsible for most of the robberies on the Lynch Bond during the last 10 yean.
On learning of the damage done by our guns at Lindah, Ail Murad Khan
decided that resistance was futile. The whole force moved to Zangul Shah
within 8 miles of Raisi where negotiations were concluded. It was finally
arranged that. Baisi should be occupied by Bahmai and Chahar Lang chiefs on
behalf of the Bakhtiari Khans for a period of six months with the proviso that
if the requisite hostages were not forthcoming by a fixed date the fort shook!
remain permanently in Bakhtiari hands.
Om July 14th, while'the jforce'was .camped at Churnim pending the settle*
menfc of the Boir-AbmedLGarmsiri question news of the investment of Abadeb
was-received from Baghdad .and His i Majesty's Vice-Consul was instructed to
urge on the Hlkhani and Hlbegi the necessity for taking all possible steps jjj
its relief. Captain Peel at once left for Behbehan, and in an interview
the Khans it was decided that the best course was to instruct Amir Mujahid
the Hikhani’s sons to leave Chahar Mahal for Abadeh with 1,000 sowa^
Telegrams to this effect were despatched to Isfahan, but in the meantime &e
of the relief of Abadeh was received. ^
The Illkhani and Illbegi had on this occasion offered to raise a fa**®^
soware for operations against the Kashqai or elsewhere in our interests
His Majesty's Government finally decided to take advantage of this 0
The objects were three in number :—
(1) to stabilize the situation in Isfahan ;
(2) to maintain the authority of the Illkhani in Bakhtiari; and . ^
(3) to serve as a nucleus which could, be doubled or trebled m
gency.