Page 481 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

F^il THE YEA.R 1910. 57
Amir Mujaliid as soon as ho had sent in his resignation took immediate
f pg to make Sardar Muhtaskain’s position impossible. Ilia modus operandi
is to spread reports that Muhtasnam was accepting largo suras from the
British to soil Bakhtiari interests. His intrigues were so far successful that,
^ xfis Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul’s return to liakhiiari from Tehran,
Uuhtaskam made up his mind to resign. Amir Mujahid was assisted in his
J icfls by the fact that members of the Ilkbani family were genuinely afraid
ihat^Britisk policy aimed at building up a position of ascendancy in tho tribe
for Muhtasharn. His intrigue was cveutually defeated by buying over Zaffar
>vith an offer of a substantial bribe and a favourable consideration of His claims
to bo the next IlkhanL
The IClians did not leave for tho low country till after tho close of the
year 1916.
Jn the summer the Russians extended the organization of tho Persian
Cossack Brigade to Ispahan, This raised the question of our initiating some
organization in Bakbtiari to act in co-operaiion with tho Russians. Proposals
were made for the raising of a levy of 100 Buklitiari sowars and 200 footmen
under British officers. These proposals were sanctioned by His Majesty’s
Government at the close of the year.
Auotker question raised w^s that of an alternntive alignment for tho
Lynch road through Bars and Lurdegan. The Persian Transport Company
professed their readiness and eagerness to interest themselves in any scheme
for the improvement of communications through the Bakbtiari couutry and
detailed their engineer, Mr. Sotharn, to accompany H'.s Britannic Majesty’s Vice-
Consul over tho proposed now alignment and frame estimates for the construc­
tion of a motor road. Proposals for the erection of a telegraph line from
Ahwaz to Ispahau through Bakhtiari were made in December. Tuc line was
to be considered in two parts, Ispahan to Chaliar Mahal, Chahar Mahal to
Ahwaz. The chief arguments adduced in favour of these proposals are—
(1) The provision of an alternative land line from the occupied terri­
tories to India.
(2) The development of the Bakhtiari trade route.
(3) The need of telegraphic communication in connection with the
formations of the Bakhtiari Levy Corps.
Tho possibilities of two irrigation projects, one at Chighakhur and the
other at Malamir, were discussed by His Britannic Majesty’s Vice-Consul with
the Khaus, who seemed disposed to find the necessary funds provided we could
arrange for services of an engiueer. Both schemes promise a good return on
initial outlay.
Before the war some 24 of tho younger Khans had been to school in
Europe and there were perhaps another fifty who could afford a European
education. The project of founding a College run on European lines in
Bakhtiari was suggested to the Khans, who welcomed the proposal and made
suggestions for raising the necessary capital by hypothecating the revenue of
[he village of Margmalik, in which the majority of the Khans have an
interest.
During the year under review trade has laboured under the greatest
disadvantages. The period during which
Trade and Commerce.
the traffic was suspended on account of
insecurity is well above the average; transport rates have reached a figure
nitnerto unheard of; river transport has been conducted under extremely
trymg conditions and merchants have been faced with unprecedented diffi-
cultiea in tho matter of finance.
Up till February 6th the road was practically closed owing to German
activities in Ispahan. Snow on tho passes hindered forwarding, which was
Jnly in full swing by the end of March. • A big robbery by Kuhgelus at Kaleh
ladrosseli, in July, held up caravans for a time. From August 17th to
cptember 21st the road was definitely closed owing to the political situation
ound Ispahan. For the greater part of the year the notorious robbers
eza Khan and Jaffor Quli, exaoted a loll of T. 1 a mule between the
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