‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎25v] (55/134)

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wean his affections from his father to his uncle, and he is surrounded by Birjandis, so that
when in a few years he becomes independent (as his appointment to Sartip here is by Royal
Grant at the request of his father), the said incorporation may accordingly be brought about.
(Si) The appointment of Alla Yar Khan as Naib Hukmat in Seistan, with the sanction
of the Shah at the instigation of the Governor of Birjand, simply meant that the boy (Sartip)
must be brought up under the training of a man in Russian pay.
(35) My notes in the month of May from Nasratabad will throw some light on the
facts that Ali Akbar Khan himself is trying to depose the Sartip (his son) and put in another
son, by a siga wife, in his place to check this very arrangement of his brother and his party.
(36) Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Syed Khan himself (chief of Naroi and most influential Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. here) told me
in conversation to what an extent he was annoyed with his sister (Sartip’s mother) and the
Naib-ul-Hukmat, who are the combined rulers of Seistan, and that Ali Akbar Khan was doubt
ful of his wife’s conduct and management of Government, with her son in Seistan.
(37) The natural rivalry between co-wives of Ali Akbar Khan has led the Sartip’s mother
to believe that with her husband, who has not seen her for some years, her son, the young
Sartip, is not the favourite son.
(38) Far be it from me to cast one suspicion of a blot on the character even of a Persian
lady, but “ Mother Grundy ” makes free use of this lady’s name {viz., the most beautiful
mother of the Sartip as she has been styled) coupling it with that of the Naib-ul-Hukmat,
(39) The whole lines of policy regarding Seistan, etc., it will be seen by my despatches,
are now very fairly filtered out, and from the translation relating to the Shah’s orders it
appears pretty evident that Ismail Khan & Co. of Birjand will now step into the “strong
boots” of the Amir of Afghanistan and stifle all Khorassan-Afghan-Seistan-Quetta trade as
the Amir has hitherto done.
(40) The Indian trade which found its way to Meshed and Khorassan rid Bandar Abbas,
Y'ezd, and Kerman, as also that which came from same port into Seistan and Afghanistan
via Rudbar, Regan, Bam, Namisher, and Nasratabad, will be completely in the hands of
“ Birjand & Co.,” who will also “ block ” our Quetta-Seistan-Khorassan trade and thus cause
incalculable damage to our prestige.
(41) It is generally reported here now that the authorities at Birjand and Seistan will
keep all orders referring to the re-opening of routes secret as long as they can, in order to sell
passports and direct Kafilas according to their own wishes.
(42) In order to check this, I have promulgated verbal information to all local merchants
regarding these orders. Yesterday in reply to my request asking the Sartip now to issue
orders in accordance with the instructions of the Shah for the reopening of the routes, he
denied having received any orders and stated he could not open the route until he had received
such an order, denying or rather concealing the receipt of the order which Purdil Khan had
given him on arrival from Tabas.
Our trade routes are bulwarks of British liberty and ought never to be allowed to decline
or be interfered with.
It is with pleasure I have to report continued good health of the party. We want for
nothing excepting a little less heat and a trifle more money.
P. S. —May I request you will be so good as to keep a copy of all my despatches that I can
have access to same on return, to enable me to complete my report. The paucity of clerks,
heat, and surroundings, in the narrow limits of a Kabul tent are not conducive to office
work.
No. 43, dated the 12th Shawal 1314=15th April 1897.
From—The Ladt Axi Akbar,
To—Her husband, the Governor Of Tabas.
Willi compliment* {endearing ).—It is all well in Kudadad Khan’s territory {i.e., her
brother’s son).
Pray God, your favours might not lessen always towards us.
As regards the wheat and rogan, Tahwildars have been ordered to supply as much as they
could, but its despatch is pending owing to the want of camels; because almost all the cattle
keeping tribes are out of the country still grazing.
In all other respects, all is well in the country and there is nothing particular to bring
under your notice except regarding the water of Parian, which once before this has been reported
you.
(1) The water is very much less this year and it remains to be seen to what extent it will
later on affect the country.
The channel that goes to Afghan territory from Jahanabad side having fallen in, a very
small quantity of water goes to the Afghans.