'Field notes: Mesopotamia. General Staff, India. February, 1917.' [‎51v] (109/350)

• The probable action of the Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh must also
be considered. He is strong and influential, even in the neigh
bourhood of Dizful, and could exercise considerable control over
the Sagvand and the Dirakvand. In the past, he has expressed
a desire to ally his interests with those of the British. Under
the circumstanced, it should not be difficult to secure his neu
trality if not his co-operation, especially if he saw that his friend
and ally, the Shaikh of Muhammareh, was on our side. He is
reported to be negotiating with the Turks.
In 1910 an alliance was formed between the Shaikh of
Muhammareh, some of the Haji Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. branch of the Bakhti-
aris. Nizam-us-Sultaneh, Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh and Saulat-
ud-Dauleh, Qashqai. The object of the league was to protect
the members against the Bakhtiari Government.
In 1914 the alliance was confirmed.
The defences of Muhammareh are hardly worth considering;
they consist of 5 miscellaneous brass pieces at the eastern end
of the town overlooking the river, and a ruined mud wall on the
landward side of the town. In 1859 the Persians had erected
4 well-constructed batteries on the mainland, and 5 of ’Abbadan
Island opposite the town. These had casemates and embra
sures.
There are 11 old guns in front of the Shaikh’s palace at
Failiyeh, but only two of these are fit even for saluting purposes.