Page 322 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

300 Part VII—ghap. Lxxi.
590. In tho course of the day the Sheikh himself requested an interview.
Ho came in tho afternoon, accompanied only by Sheikh Mahomed, the head of
tho Dumukh tribe. In his conversation ho principally dwelt upon the
ungenerous treatment ho was now to experience at the hands of tho Shiraz
authorities, after all tho sacrifices ho had made—that tho attack and capture of
Tulisia, and tho foray into tho Rudhilla districts, which had been stripped of
flocks, herds, camels and everything the unfortunate inhabitants possessed,
had been oxocutcd by tho Tungistunis at tho instigation of the Nizam-ul-
Mulk, Mahomed Ali Khan, whoso enmity to him was such that nothing but
his (the Sheikh’s) entiro ruin would satisfy it. That tho object of all their
aggressions was simply to embarrass his affairs, and by preventing his collecting
tho usual rovonues from the districts, disgrace him with the Princo through his
inability to sond tho quotas of revouuo demanded from him. Their intrigues
ho said had succeeded, as, had his districts remained unmolested, he would
probably have collected from thorn a sum equal to the demands existing against
him. Ho had now, he said, como to the Resident in his present unhappy
position to ask his advice whether to fly or resist.
697. In reply Major Henncll recommended him to adopt neither of
such hazardous and useless plans, but to make up his mind to go at once
to Shiraz, where he thought it likely the favorable sentiments entertained
towards him by the Prince personally, and other influential persons at his
Court, would probably bring about a speedy and satisfactory arrangement
of his affairs. This suggestion however Sheikh Nasir positively refused to
accept saying that nothing should induce him voluntarily to put himself
into the hands of his enemy the Nizam-ul-Mulk, that he would make one
more attempt to soften tho Prince, and if that failed, he would go away
from the place, if leisuro were afforded him, but that if he were driven to
desperation he would resist. Ho then asked tho Resident whother if called on
by the Prince he would interfere. The reply was in the negative , as his
.instructions were to abstain from mixing up himself in any way in the local
affaire of the place. The Sheikh in the course of the conversation occasionally
referred to the Dumukh Chief for his opinion, and he gave it plainly for
fighting as long as they could, and then leaving the place when they were
reduced to extremity. He said that the new Governor, Mlrza Mehdi Khan,
was to be accompanied by Bakir Khan, the Chief of Tungistun, as a sort of
Wazir. That the late disgraceful defeat experienced by the Tungistunis at
Ahmedi, in which they had lost some 50 of their best men, would never be
forgiven by their Chief, who would doubtless avail himself of his influence with
the Persian Governor, to lay hold of every man of any consequence among
them with whom he was now at blood-feud, and make away with him. That
their treachery in murdering the Chief of Ahmedi, when they had promised him
quarter, showed distinctly how' little reliance could be placed on their pledges
or forbearance, and therefore he concluded by saying, they had better die with
arms in their hand9, than be exposed to the cruelty and revenge of the
Tungistun Chief. Sheik Nasir evidently received these remarks with
satisfaction, and although he professed his own intention was to leave tho place
quietly, the impression left on the Resident by the interview was that he
would resist vi et armis, the entrance of Mirza Mehdi Khan into Bushire.
698. On the night of the 4th instant, by the Sheikh’s orders, Mahomed
Hashem Khan with his three attendants and their horses, wero embarked in
native boat, and taken over to Shif, where they were landed, with a
recommendation to make the best of their way to Shiraz.
699. The Bombay Government expressed the opinion that it would have
been better had Lieutenant-Colonel Hennell refrained from giving to Sheikh
Nasir the advice to proceed to Shiraz, -since it might have embarrassed Govern­
ment had the Sheikh acted on it and mot with ill-treatment from the Persian
Government (letter dated 30th November 1849).
600. Towards the close of the year 1850 Sheikh Nasir was finally dismissed
from the Governorship of Bushire. The grounds on which he was dismissed are
explained in the Resident’s letter quoted below :—
In reply to tho enquiry made by Your Excellency in your despatch dated tho 16th October
lost, regarding the ostensible reason assigned for the dismissal of 8hoik Nasir, I have the