Page 660 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

4 AKNTJAL RETORT OP TEE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL 'RESIDENCY

enemy, 8 were killed and 2*1 mode prisoners, but unfortunately Zair Khidhar
himself had left the Tillage before the arrival of tho column. This severe
lesson stopped tho rebels * activities for some time.
v Mr^e a^?r this incidont Gbazanfar-es-Sultanch was captured by
Agha Khan of Borasjun in Enriab, but was allowed to escape by his tufang-
ohis. He joined Zair Khidhar and Shaikh Hussain but a month later gave
himself up to tho Karman Karma in 8hiraz, having no stomach for an outlaw’s
life in the hills.
Early in June Asaf-ul-Mulk arrived in Bushiro and took over tho duties
of Deputy Governor, Dashti, Tangistan and Dasbtistan from tho Darya Bcgi
in whose jurisdiction these districts had hitherto been since his rc*appointment
as Governor in October 1915. He took up his headquarters in Borasjun, In
August Asaf-ul-Mulk accompanied by the Political Officer, Linc3 of Commu­
nication, and a strong escort of South Persia Rifles made a ten days* tour
through Samal-Ahram to Khormuj and back.
Shaikh Hussain and Zair Khidhar had written in to the now Deputy
Governor that they were tired er their present life and wished to come in to
him and make terms. They were given safe conducts and met Asaf-ul-Mulk
and Captain Eraser at Samal. However, their attitude was haughty and
utterly unreasonable. They were prepared to dictate, but not to listen to
terms,, and would only come in and be obedient if both were fully reinstated
in their former positions,
Kegociations were broken off as it was evident that neither were in a
sufficiently chastened frame of mind to be dealt with by anything but force.
Tfce Gecond objective of the tour was to meet the'Dashti Khans at
Kbcrtnuj. This also failed as only two, Kbalu Hussain of Baiyir and Ahmad
Khan of Lawar met the Deputy Governor. The others refused to come.in
and submit.
It was too hot to think of undertaking active military operations then,
bo action was deferred lill the cold weather.
TThen the weather allowed of active operations in November the Military
authorities disagreed as to who should undertake the operation, neither the
General Officer Commanding, Bushire Force, nor Inspector-General, South
Persia Rifles, beirg willing to move. It was decided that .Asaf-ul-Mulk
should go himself to Kbormuj and get hold of the Dashti Khans and thereby
cut off the rebels, for as long as the rebels had the country behind them free,
they could always disappear on the approach of any force, British or Persian.
It was hoped that the Khans would come in and submit to Asaf-ul-Mulk, for
the following reasons :—
They hare repeatedly stated that they will not come and submit to Zair
Abdullah the Zabit as they consider him beneath them socially, a refugee and
not a Khan, but that they are prepared to submit to the Deputy Governor.
There is a certain amount of truth in their contention, so in order to give
them a chance of showing whether they were in earnest, or merely making
excuses, it was decided in consultation with Ris Excellency the Darya Begi
to transfer Zair Abdullah, who was merely a temporary stopgap, and give him
the Deputy Governorship of Lingah, thus removing him with honour.
It remains to be seen how successful Asaf-ul-Mulk is in attracting the
Datfhti Khans, but he had not achieved much by the end of the year-
At the meeting in August Zair Khidhar and Shaikh Hussain had been
told that their case was receiving attention and that they must await results.
After remaining for three months they again commenced raiding. An
unfortunate incident occurred at Bagbak on December 1st. Six of ^ Zair
Khidhar’s men raided the village with the object of shooting tho headmen.
They wounded him slightly, were then held by the Baghak tufangohis tiU
Hassan Khan with a band of followers arrived from Ahram. Hassan Khan in
the fight was very severely wounded. Two of the six enemy were. killed
four got away,.one of them wounded. Hassan Khan was brought in to Hos­
pital in Bushire, hut owing to his thigh having been shattered and gangrene
having set in, and his refusal to allow the amputation of hia leg, he died on
Peceiuber.