'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎56r] (116/412)

PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. POLITIGAL RESIDENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , 1921. 5
to Kazemn on the grounds that he himself was unable to prevent his return,
and that it was preferable that the British authorities should acquiesce while
they had the opportunity, as if they refused to agree Nasr Diwan would only
force his way back as soon as the South Persian E-ifles were disbanded, and we
should be powerless to prevent him. As this was undoubtedly true it was
k! p considered expedient to acquiesce in Nasr Diwan's return, but before be left
0/| Shiraz he was made to sign an undertaking, which was deposited in the Consu-
inni,. late, to behave correctly and in a friendly manner to British subjects and inter
ests, and not to seek revenge on Persians who had rendered services to the
Indian Troops and the South Persia Rifles. Qawam-ul-Mulk pledged himself
in this document, to the British authorities as well as to the Persian Govern
ment, that he would be ready to punish or expel Nasr Diwan from Kazerun
should the latter break either of the above conditions. It remains to be seen
whether Nasr Diwan, probably the most cruel scoundrel in Pars, intends to
abide by this guarantee.
It is sad to have to record that th© year under report saw the disappearance
_ . of the South Persia Rifles, the most effi-
South Persia limes. . . ji'ii j • • t jj? i-i
cient and highly disciplinea rorco which
has probably ever existed in Persian modern times or is likely to exist for some
time. Owing to the necessity for reduction of commitments abroad His Majes
ty's Government intimated early in the year their inability to continue to pay
for the South Persia Rifles, and though at one time when Seyyid Zia-ud-I)in
was in power it looked as if the Persian Government would take over at any
rate a portion of the force, eventually, after much vacillation, the Persian
Government refused to have anything to do with it. Consequently the South
Persia Rifles had to be disbanded and this was concluded by November and the
head-quarters office which had been transferred to Bushire from Shiraz in Nov
ember closed down at the former place on the 12th December.
The disbandment which was carried out gradually in batches one-third at a
time was marked by no untoward incident, the men showing the utmost docility
in handing in their arms and even in actually destroying rifles and ammunition,
etc., and it is a remarkable fact that there w r ere only 20 desertions during this
period, which is very good proof of the high state of discipline of the force and
the staunch loyalty of the Persian Officers and men to Lieutenant-Colonel
W. A. K. Eraser, D.S.O., M,C., Inspector-General, and the British Officers and
Non-Commissioner Officers attached to the force.
It did indeed seem hard that all the strenuous work which Colonel Eraser
and his officers had put into the creation of this force, and which had achieved
, such excellent results, should have come to nought.
Nasrullah Khan and Muzaffar Khan Boir Ahmedi are now on excellent
Behbehan terms with each other, and it has caused
much surprise that the settlement conclud
ed by them in March 1920 should have had such satisfactory results.
Muzaffar Khan raided Lirawi in October and carried off some animals, but
otherwise the district has been remarkably quiet.
Towards the end of the year Kuhgelu was reported to be much disturbed 3
Sbukrullah Khan Boir Ahmedi having attacked Hussain Kuli Khan and occu
pied the fort at Tambi.
Hayat Daud has continued peaceful under the wise administration of Hai-
Hayat Daud and Lirawi. dar Khan, C.I.E.
Hi ere has been some difficulty in effecting a settlement of arrears of reve
nue due by Agha Khan of Lirawi to Haji Saeed-us-Sultaneh, owing partly to
the ravage of locusts and to a misunderstanding as to the amount due, and it
was feared at one time that Lirawi might be sold to an outsider. The arrears
have now been paid, and the danger of its being put up for sale has for the
present been averted. It is worthly of note that suggestions that the Sheikh of
Mohammerah or Qawam-ul-Mulk might be asked to purchase the fief were
received with the utmost consternation by Agha Khan, and Haidar Khan,
probably for the reason that being powerful magnates living comparatively
near they would be in a position to demand higher rent and to enforce their
demands if necessary.