Page 164 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

94 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION RBPORT
about peaceful occupation of the ICban’s buildings and that it was contCm
to censo payment directly possession had been gained. He protested *
British officers being in any way associated with these oriental stmto *
Ho urged that, before the gendarmerie came below the last Kotal, Major
should coirc on to Bushire and discuss matters with the Governor 0r
Gulf Ports, in whose jurisdiction the Khans resided, and with the p;*
Agent and himself, the three persons in the best position to advise re«Ari*Ce
this portion of the road, who had a claim to ho consulted. He also ur«ed
any agreement come to with the Khans of Borasjun and Alimadi should } 'a
the official cognizance and written endorsement of tbe Governor of the
Ports. u,f
The gendarmes arrived in due course and the main result of their presen
so far as regarded the lower section of the^ road, was to dislocate traffic by
wholesale impressing of mules for their service and to impose vexation!
restrictions on the movement of caravans. That they are the best
people in the Gulf Ports district was perhaps only to be expected and a
must
not be laid to their charge.
The following, with some slight verbal omissions and alterations, is taken
from the report of His Majesty’s Consul, Shiraz, on the attempt of the
gendarmerie to punish the notorious brigand, Ali Muhammad, Kamariji.
“ On the morning of the 35th a force of all arms, about COO to 700 stron*
with its fivo Swedish officers (Majors TJggla and Lundberg, and Captains
Killander, Pousette ar.d Lundberg), marched out towaids Shapur district
which lies to the north of the Bushirc road extending from about the village
cf Debris to the Rah.ar Caravanserai, and bounded by the hills about
five or six miles to the north.
“ As far as concerned Muhammad Ali Khan no difficulty was experienced.
Major Dggla seat an advance guard of cavalry to cut off his retreat in case he
meditated any treachery, and himself proceeded directly to his fort of Patch-
abad. Here be was courteously received by Muhammad Ali Khan, vlio
appeared to he in a wholesome slate of apprehension, and who agreed to quit
the district with all Iris men, on the 17th, leaving only (by arrangement with
Major Uggla) some 30 tufangchis to act as joint guards to various towers
together with gendarmerie.
“ Whilst these negotiations were in progress, Captain Pousettc bad advanced
with a few men to the Tul-i-Kuhah fort (these various places will he found
marked on sheet No. 10 0 of the degree sheets published by the Survev
Department of India), occupied by Ali Muhammad and his band, and called
upon him to surrender. On his refusing to do so, a force of all arms advanced
against the fort, and at 2 p.m. began the attack upon it. These operations
lasted until sunset and were continued during the night. As far as
gathered from the accounts of the Swedish officers, tne attack was well pressed
forward, the two small 7 centimetre mountain guns advancing eventual y
to within 60 to 100 yards on the walls of the fort, and the gendarmes in genera
behaving very well and courageously. The brigands (estimated at about •»
in number) kept themselves well hidden, and maintained a brisk and accura
fire on the attackers.
built ^
" The fort is an exceedingly strong one, standing on a small rise,
solid stone, and with two tiers of fire.
“ After nightfall (according to the accounts of the Swedish officers on
spot) the troops entirely surrounded the fort, and a storming party was ?,e . ^
readiness to rush in as soon as a breach was effected. But just after inl, L*
it was found that the fort had been quietly evacuated, and when the gen ,
rushed in there was no one there. It is impossible to understand how, e ^
through gross negligence on the pait of the attackers, or the connivanc
some of the gendarmes, the brigands effected their escape. It a £j|.
moonlight night, and a dog would have been plainly visible at
The ground immediately surrounding the fort is open. There were four ,flCe
officers on the spot; and a sufficient force of gendarmes to surround tb escape
entirely. With ordinary vigilance and care not a man should have ^en
alive. And yet Ali Muhammad, 60 men, 6 women, and some donkoy