Page 471 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

FOR THE YEAR 1*10. 47

jyir. Pinscnt’s report on the condition of the country between
Jask and Balm districts.
Sardar Mustapha Khan continues fo control this district of which he has
been chief now for many years. The only
M 18 rlc' item of interest in this part of Peiaian
Baluchistan was the sudden and unaccountable attitude adopted by Mir Nur
aluhammad, half brother to the ruling chief, and aleo to Sardar Barkat Khan
of Biahan when, during March last, he deliberately cut the telegraph lines at
Gabreg on two occasions causing a total interruption to communication of over
111 hours. On the news being carried to .Mir Mustapha Khan, the chief imme­
diately left Jask with the telegraph repairing party and as large a following
as he could collect, and promptly settled the affair. Mir Barkat also assisted
in this matter by writing’strongly to Nur Muhammad threatening him, if lie
interfered with the lines again, lie w'ould come in person and drive him out of
tbe country. Petty squabbles of no political importance have occurred at
different times, the elder sons of Muslaplia Khan being the culprits and their
principal offence the looting of their father’s ryots. The chief has seven sons,
of whom two are minors.
Commencing from 1st January 101G additional subsidies of Rs. 200 and
Rs. 100 each per mensem have been paid to Mustapha Kban and Mir Ilot.i
of the Jask district on the condition that no interference with the telegraph
lines was permitted. Both these men have carried out their obligations to the
best of their ability and took strong measures to settle Mir Nur Muhammad
when that man cut the wires at the Gabreg.
Mir Barkat Khan is the sole ruler of this district and also plays a promi­
nent part in theaffaiisol liushkard, the
Bi.alnn district.
chiefs of the latter place being complete­
ly under his control. As far as I know', Barkat is loyal and willing to assist
our Government in every way, though I am afraid the same cannot he said of
his relations with the Persian Government. Unconfirmed reports arrive at
intervals of the Minabis looting Barkat’s ryots, who in tarn retaliate. In my
opinion no particular blame can be attached to either party, the people are
all more or less uncivilised and looting will continue until very much stronger
measures are adopted than has hitherto been tbe case. Barkat’s relations with
the sons of the late Mir Haji continue unsatisfactory and, I am afraid, will be
the cause of trouble sooner or later, but when tbe trouble docs come, if ever,
it will be of no political importance. Barkat at present is strong enough to
protect himself against all comers and is the right man for a district of the
size and importance of Biaban. It is said that Mirza Kban of Rudbar is
endeavouring to effect a reconciliation between the two parties, but up to the
time of writing no settlement has been arrived at.
The most important event of tbe year in this district was the murder of
Saiyid Muhammad Umer, an Afghan, who had taken refuge with Barkafc on
boing turned out of Debai, a man who was fraukly inimical towards our Gov­
ernment and probably would have been the cause of much unrest thioughout
the country had he survived. This man openly did all he could to spread
unfavourable reports and even urged the people to rise, hut the lesson learned
hy Khalifa Khair Muhammad and his followers on the attack of Charbar
Ration had not been forgotten and was largely responsible towards discourag­
es any openly hostile acts. No onA’ appears to know why the Saiyid was
^ordered ; rumour has it that Barkat bad the man removed ; others again say
that the Persian Government had a hand in the affair. Prom reports received
here it would appear that the murder was a particularly brutal and cold blood­
ed one, some of the Saiyid’s slaves and a couple of Barkat’s ryots deliberately
jutting the man's throat on the way to the place where he usually prayed and
thou absconding with a portion of his valuables. All the murderers were
e*outually captured and executed by Barkat. It is diilioult to credit the