Page 220 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

78 PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORT

MR. P. PINSENT’S REPORT ON TOE CONDITION OE THE COTJNpt>
BETWEEN JASK AND QWADUR. 1

Mir Haji continues to bo the recognised chief of the greater portin
®. van n.this district. The relationship hofU. °*
Butin Duinct Mirs Haji and Barkat has ifeen^
moro cordial during tlie past year, though it is said that the latter has not ^
yet forgotten the treaoherous murder of his brother Muhammaduk by0#}?8
former’s men towards the end of July 1912. Outwardly these two chiefs ^
friendly, and a part of the district (between Kuh Mubarak and Karai croot\
lias been given to Barkat by Mir Xlaji, but in spite of this there is alwa .
likely to be a certain amount of ill-feeling on the part of Barkat who, according
to Baluch custom, feels that it is his duty to avenge his brother’s death. <ph?
may bo the cause of trouble in these parts sooner or later unless Mir Haji fake3
proper steps to reconcile Barkat and gets him to forget the incident, f at^
given to understand that the Persian Government has not as yet recogniSC(j
Barkat’s return as chief of the portion of this district.
One Saiyid Abdul Rahim of Gowan has been looting and oppressing the
people under his care, and Mir Barkat asked me to have the rifles presented
to the Saiyid by Major Craufurd recalled. I referred the matter to Major
Murphy, the present Intelligence Officer, and also forwarded a letter from this
chief to that officer on the subject. In November last Mir Barkat left old
Jask with tko intention of settling matters with this Saiyid, but up to date no
information regarding the result has as yet reached me. I believe the rifles
were given to Saiyid Abdul Rahim as a means of protection against Barkat
who, last year, was guilty of mauy raids iu different parts of the district round
about Jask.
The Jask district under Mir Mustafa Khan and Mir Hoti has been quiet
Jwk District, during the year, with the exception of an
attempt on the life of Chiragh, Mustafa
Khan’s eldest son; no serious disturbances have occurred. This is due to the
fact of Mir Barkat having completely given up raiding and oppressing the
people and also, from what I can gather from different sources, it can be
assumed that no further trouble in the future need he expected from him.
After his record of the past few years, Barkat’s conduct during the period under
report has been exemplary, from being the oppressor of the poor he has turned
round and severely deals with any one who acts unjustly. This, undoubtedly,
is due to his desire of reconciling himself with our Government, from whom he
is very anxious to receive pardon for past misdeeds and, should this act of
grace on our part be extended to him, I do not think it will be a matter of
regret to us at any time. Iu my Interview with Barkat, on the 12th October
last, I found him very courteous, besides he appeared to he keen on settling
his affairs with us and he promised faithfully to pay up the Rupees 5,000
security demanded within a very short time. My advice to him was to deposit
the amount he had collected up to date with the Clerk in Charge of Jask Station
in order to show that an effort on his part was being made to get the money
together. On the 31st October Barkat sent his Wazir to Jask with Rs. 1,-00
and Krans 8,050 and this amount is now in deposit pending receipt of tin-
balance when this chief hopes to receive his pardon from our Government.
Krans 350 is approximately the equivalent of Rs. 100.
Mir Barkat is still very suspicious ; no inducement on my part could get
him to visit me at Jask or even enter the station limits at that place, hi®
excuse being that a few years ago the Persians captured and deported him to
Bushire and he begged me to excuse him, aiding he had not forgotten the
experiences and trials he underwent at the hands of the Persian Government
when last he camo near our station. Prom the following which accompany
Barkat to my camp it is apparent that he does not trust us. Over a hundred
well armed men sat round the tent in which the interview was held, and the chi°
himself refused refreshments until I assured him that no design on his life "as
intended. Evon after my assurances he allowed several ot the heading
present to partake of tea, etc., and it was only after an interval of half an *j?
that he consented to join in the hospitality. Barknt states he is prevonti 0