'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎100r] (204/470)

Administration Report, Karbala District, 1918.
1. Political and Tribal.—(1) This administration of the Karbala district
was only commenced under the direct supervision of a British Officer in September
1917. Last year’s report, therefore, only dealt with the period September-
December 1917. Since this time it may be said that the population, both town
and rural, have been steadily and quietly settling down to the new order of things.
On the whole the population generally appear to appreciate our methods and they
realise that various restrictions, such as blockade, passes, &c., were only introduced
owing to the exigencies of martial law. The inhabitants generally have co-operated
loyally with the Assistant Political Officer for the common welfare.
(2) A feature which is not peculiar to Karbala is the fact of a district or town
being entirely run by one individual or group of individuals, who stop at practically
nothing to achieve their own ends, and who so terrorise the rest of the population
that everyone fears to lodge a complaint against them. In the case of Karbala,
this was done by certain members of a prominent local family; but on the state of
affairs being brought to notice the offenders were removed from the district, which
action on the part of Government had the effect of very considerably clearing the
local atmosphere, and it is now realised that a man’s former position, dignity, and
degree of power, however acquired, will not avail him under British Administration,
especially if he is not running straight.
(3) The general character of the administrative staff with a preponderating
Moslem element has been preserved, only two Christians being employed in the
clerical establishment.
(4) The jealousy and rivalry among the Karbala religious leaders has in no
t way diminished since last year. There is no mutual trust between any of them
and each one is merely concerned in trying to increase his own reputation for
learning and sanctity. The opinion expressed in the last year’s report that
Karbala people have not by any means a blind faith in their religious leaders has
been amply confirmed, and it is almost nauseating to hear common people from the
town or neighbouring villages with some petty dispute regarding inheritance to be
settled discussing to which of the ‘Ulama they shall take their case without showing
any sign of trust in the decision to be arrived at; in fact, practically all litigants in
cases of this nature beg the Political Officer to settle the case himself, rather than
transfer it to one of the ‘Ulama.
(5) The Persian Vice-Consul, Haidar Khan, was transferred to Baghdad on
29th November 1918 and has been replaced by Nasir Khan from Baghdad.
( 6 ) Tribal .—The Tribal Administration of Karbala has been effected, where
possible, through the medium of Shaikhs themselves, and no trouble has been
experienced in dealing with them. The tribes under Karbala are comparatively
few in numbers, though the town is a great market for the Badawin, particularly
the ‘Anizah, who are, however, controlled by the Political Officer, Desert.
A list showing the tribes under the actual administration of Karbala is given
in Appendix A.
( 7 ) The general character of the inhabitants varies considerably. Karbala
town itself, which is estimated to number some 40,000 inhabitants, contains a large
portion of Persians, who have imported the language and characteristics of their
race. Owing to the presence of this Persian element many of the Arab inhabitants
of the town speak Persian and are to some extent Persianised. The townspeople
do not appear to be in any way fanatical, though they are certainly bigoted and
from the exceedingly holy character of their town and the fact that they managed
in 1916 to expel the Turks, they undoubtedly have a somewhat exaggerated idea
of their own importance, now, however, tempered by recent developments in
Europe. The tribal element differs in no way from the ordinary riverine Arab,
requiring a firm but just hand. As previously stated during the year under review
they have given no trouble at all and have paid their dues both to the Government
and to the landowners promptly and without demur.
( 8 ) Up to June 1918, Karbala formed a separate district under a Political
Officer. In June, however, it became a district under the control of the Hillah