Page 737 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1020. 3
This plan for concerted action, however, did not materialize, as orders
were issued by Government prohibiting any action which meant the expen-
ditured of more money or which might possibly lead to further commitments, as
it had been decided that the X'orco was to bo evacuated in the spring. Thus
the only action taken by our forces was the occasional bombing mentioned
above, though tho South Persian ltifles advance parties actually left Shiraz.
Owing to tho reports received of tho harsh treatment meted out to the
prisoners by Asaf-ul-Mulk and in the hope of encouraging tho people of Dashti
to come in and make terms, which they would not do to Asaf-ul-Mulk, the
latter was persuaded to have tho Khans brought into Bushire, and banded over
to tho Military authorities for detention. The invitation to the Syeds and other
leading men of Dashti to come and discuss terms, which were the release of
Khans if suitable guarantees for tho payment of revenue were forthcoming,
was not accepted and the Khans were after a month’s detention handed back
to Asaf-ul-Mulk.
The arrival of the Shah and the resignation of Asaf-ul-Mulk in May was
seized as a good opportunity to end an unsatisfactory position. By Itoyal
clemency the Khans were released and sent back to Dashti. Later on the
inhabitants of Dashti were ordered to choose their Zabit, and Husain Khan,
having been chosen, was appointed Zabit of Dashti by Salar Nusrat who had
succeeded Asaf-ul-Mulk as Deputy Governor. One of the first acts of Salar
Nusrat was to turn Mohamod Khan out of Ahram, but as this w’as done
without any better reason than to obtain money he was reappointed at the
instance of the Residency.
In July Sheikh Hussain became bold and attempted to capture Chahkutah
but failed and remained in a garden near by. His Excellency the Darya Begi
tried to organise the tofangchis of the Local Khans but failed and asked for
the help of regular troops.
Arrangements were mode with the South Persian Rifles who sent down a
column from Kazerun to reinforce the Borazjun detachment, the column
making a remarkable forced march from Kazerun to Borazjun. On the night
of July 21-22nd a column of 100 infantry, 50 cavalry and 1 Austrian gun
made a night march from Borazjun and attacked Sheikh Hussain at dawn.
The attack was completely successful aud reflects great credit on Captain
Munn the Officer Commanding and tho men of the South Persian Rifles.
Sheikh Hussain and one of bis sous were killed and the rebels’ casualties
amounted to over 20 killed and many -wounded, while the South Persian
Rifles* casualties were 13 in all, of which 4 were killed and one died of wounds.
The co-operation of the local tofangebis wrkich had been arranged was conspi­
cuous by its absence. Thus one of the rebel Khans was removed and Zair
Kbidhcr soon afterwards wrote in to the Darya Begi saying that if he went to
Ahram to settle bis affairs lie would abide by bis orders and would allow two
of his sons to go into Bushire as hostages. These negotiations were put an end
to by the news of the appointment of Mowaqqar-ed-Dowleh and the dismissal
of the Darya Begi.
In October Zair Kliidher who had remained quietly at Khaviz came down
and occupied the village of Abram. Mohamed Khan left the fort with a few
men to garrison it and came to Bushire to plead for support. He was told to
go back at once otherwise he would no longer be supported by the Residency
as Zabit. Meanwhile Zair Khidher made no effort to take the fort. Mohamed
Khan hung about Buihiro and did not go back to Ahram. Salar Nusrat was
tbeu sent to Ahram to put bis own representative in the fort so that neither
Zair Khidher or Mohamed Khan should occupy it, the question to remain
in statu quo till the arrival of Mowaqqar-ed-Dowleh in Bushire who would
settle tho Zabitship one way or the other.
Matters remained thus till the end of tho year as there was no sign of
Mowaqqar-ed-Dowlch moving from Teheran. Mohamed Khan had forfeited
all sympathy on the part of the Residency by his pusillanimous behaviour and
it was recognised that Zair Khidhor was the only possible Zabit. There were
no events of any importance in o<her ^arts of the hinterland.