Page 187 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883_Neat

residency and muscat political agency for 1880-81. 19
I,is fcliillut will cost him liis head; lie will bo unable to raise the sura,
nml will send excuses to the Shahzadch, and refuse to come in; he will
theu become au outlaw, as well as what he already is, a robber.
This, however, beinpr apparently the legitimate trade of every man
in Fare, from Kujar Prince to Lur shepherd, the sting was somewhat
lost Amongst the Kashgac, at any rate, it is considered somewhat
disgraceful to return no richer than oil setting out from any expedition,
the ladies as usual being somewhat at the bottom of tlio mischief, as
they strongly discourage Tazy habits of returning home empty-hauded,
unless they arc much belied in both brothers and husbands.
The trade is of course plied according to the personal courage or
official opportunities of each man. A wholesome dread of the Shahzadeh
alone saves Pars from becoming a pandemonium.
The leading families of these tribes are nearly all related by mar­
riage to each other, but that forms no bond of friendship in Persia,
where a mau's foes are those of his own household; their cordial detes­
tation of the Kajar ruler, even not being strong enough to make them
sink individual differences and form combinations; nor is it easy to see
how they could begin to learn to trust each other, as all seem equally
faithless.
Beyond the old-fashioned “ divide and govern” policy, there is
nothing in Persia, for every man tries to extort as much money as he
can by fair or foul means during his tenure of office. This a Governor
well knows will be short, as he cannot be allowed to grow fat or “ fill
his stomach,” as they expressly term it, any more than he himself is
likely to allow any one under him to perform such a gratifying opera­
tion. There is no such thing as a public purse in the country, and all
that a man can squeeze beyond the assessment belongs to himself. The
money that finds its way to Teheran belongs to the Shah, and though
obliged to disburse certain sums for array, &c., the hoarded amount,
of which he alone has the custody, is supposed to be very considerable.
Under such a system of absolute despotism and spoliation a man can
never be allowed to remain long enough to “ fill his stomach,” and then,
perhaps, take an interest in those under him, lighten the taxation, and
improve his farm. The Bakbtiari ruler seems to be an exception
to this rule as yet, hot signs are not wanting to show that his tenure
of power may be rudely shaken ere long.
I repeat that if a man show signs of wealth, be be prince or peasant,
he is at once a marked man, aDd rarely escapes. I will merely allade
to the downfall of Ali Kuli Khan, formerly a most powerful Chief, and
the Eel-Begi of the Kashgae, as usual betrayed by a relation; to the
tragic fate of the brave Hyder Khan of Dashti; to that of the Mushir-
ul-Mulk, of whom more anon; and lastly to the loss of the Eel-Begi-
• Shaikh Mazlrur Khan of K.ogun Nasirulla Kh™T*
might now be added, 188L 6 All these are good instances, 6ome of the
men may. have not been without fault*
hut there is only one really and always punishable fault in Persia, and
that is a refusal to part with large sums on extortion. Were the Chiefs
the tribes to combine loyally together, it would be impossible for
:

i