"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٩‎٨] (١٧٨٢/٢٤١)

98
simultaneously of Raqams from Nadir Shah at Hamadan, requiring their
co-operation in seizing Muhammad Taqi Khan, governor of Shiraz, who
had rebelled ; but these Raqams were accompanied by letters from a
Sardar at Shiraz which called upon the European Factories to assist, if
necessary, one Mir "'Ali Sultan, who had been sent with troops, in arresting
the g-overnor and customs officer of Bandar "'Abbas. The Dutch imme
diately sent to Mir ^Ali Sultan inviting' him to approach, and he entered
the town on the night of the 27th March, when it was discovered that
he had Raqams from the Shah confirming the governor and customs
officer in their appointments. The latter, on being summoned to receive
his Raqam, attended, but the governor delayed, whereupon about 40
men were sent to attack his house, the Dutch at the same time opening
fire upon it and upon his fort. The British, knowing that the Dutch did
not intend to act upon the Shah's Raqam of confirmation, invited the
governor to surrender to them, which he did ; and the British Agent
then wrote to Shiraz reporting that, as the Shah's Raqam had not been
shown him, he had seized the governor according to the Sardar's commands.
It is not known how the episode ended.
Serious disturbances involving danger or inconvenience to the British
Factory did not again begin at Bandar 'Abbas until 1750, or three years
after the assassination of Nadir Shah; but from that date onwards they
continued almost without intermission for thirteen years.
Towards the end of 1750 there was great anxiety at Bandar 'Abbas, for
the Bakhtiyaris had occupied Fasa, Jahrum and Darab and threatened
the whole of the Garmsir or low country towards the Gulf from no very
great distance, while Ahmad Shah, Abdali, whose success in taking
Shiraz had attracted thousands to his banners, sent messengers to the
Persian authorities near Bandar 'Abbas requiring large amounts of grain
and money. It was ascertained that Ahmad Shah meant to extort a huge
sum from the European Factories at Bandar 'Abbas ; but, as the "Drake"
ketch and a large Dutch ship were then in the harbour, this demand was
not openly propounded; and the British and Dutch arranged between
themselves with Mulla 'Ali, who was to send them one ship, for a joint
withdrawal in case of emergency to the islandi. It was fortunate
that the necessity to remove did not arise, for Mulla 'Ali Shah sub
sequently allowed himself to be won over by Ahmad Khan, " a sharp,
cunning fellow," who arrived at Bandar 'Abbas on the 13th of December
with only ten men. By this emissary the Mulla was induced to adopt a
more ravourable opinion of the Afghans and to promise one year's revenue
to Ahmad Shah.