File 1187/1914 Pt 2 ‘Persia – Policy. British Interests in the South. Russian Policy’ [‎199v] (146/300)

2
Next he says “ such a step would result in a loss to the Khans of the
greater part of their toll receipts ”, and a little further on “ we have reason to
believe that the tolls derived from the migration of the II amount to something
like 100 per cent more than those produced by the transport of merchandise”.
I am afraid Messrs. Tynch’s Agent is labouring under a misapprehension.
The tolls due from such II as pass over the Bridge, do not in toto exceed
6,000 Tumans, of which sum some 2,000 Tumans are remitted to personal
retainers of the Khans and privileged persons, such as the Ahmed Khusrois,
leaving a nett total actually collected of some 4,000 Tumans.
Toll, it should be noted, is only taken from the II on the upward journey,
the downward being free.
The Bridge takings last year amounted to, officially, in round numbers,
50,000 Tumans, though I believe from what I heard on the spot when I came
through that the actual amount taken was nearer 60,000 Tumans.
Further comment on the relative amounts of tolls produced by the II and
the transport of merchandise is superfluous.
It is also stated that “ the nomadic tribes are compelled to cross one of the
bridges, Godar-i-Balutak or Amarat on their journey
As a matter of fact “ the nomadic tribes ,f follow three routes, vis., speaking
broadly :—
the Il-i-Zaraswand ...
the Turks
the Dinaruni
the Sheikhha-i-Dopulani
and some smaller sub-divisions
the Dinaruni of Susan and Malamir
the Babadi ... ...
the Behdarwand...
the Chahar Lang
fie (2).
“ The present state of dilapidation of the caravanserais is due to their
destruction by the Kuhgelus in 1911, and their reconstruction has never since
been attempted.”
I must beg to entirely differ from this statement. The Kuhgilu burnt some
of the merchandise stored in the caravanserais, but did not destroy the caravan
serais themselves.
“ The present state of dilapidation ’* is entirely due to neglect, and to no
other cause.
** (3).
( Messrs. Lynch’s Agent ascribes the primary cause of scarcity of supplies
‘to the land not having been cultivated during the past five years, owing to the
pre-occupation of the Bakhtiari Khans in political affairs, and to the lack of labour
due to the tribes having been sent up country to serve the Nationalist cause.’
Up to the summer of 19 11 , I can say from personal knowledge that the
usual amount of cultivation was done, and during the past three years, I learn on
enquiry that the same has been the case.
The “ pre-occupation of the Bakhtiari Khans in political affairs ” does not
prevent the Bakhtiari tribes from sowing and reaping as usual.
. ^Use the Bridge route.
. Use the Susan route.
. ^Use the Bazuft route.