‘Military Report on ’Arabistan (Area No. 13).’ [‎153v] (311/366)

has to deaj with the varying changes of fortune and policy of the
Arabs of ’Iraq, the Arabs of ’Arabistan and the Lurs. The
Shaikh of Muhammarah’s influence over the tribes of that dis
trict is shadowy. The Ban! Lam tribes on the Mesopotamian
side of the boundary are with difficulty controlled from ’Amarah.
The Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh manipulates tribal factions in his own
interests whenever possible ; while the predatory habits of the
Luristan tribes such as the Sagw T and, Dirlkwand, Bahrawand
and Qalawand, whose winter quarters are onlv a few miles from
-l)iziu1 town, are too well known to need description. The ex
periment was tiled of getting hold of one of these Luristan tribes,,
namely the Sagwand, and settling them on the border to act as
a buffer between Dizful and the Xo-Man’s land to the west and
north-west. The experiment proved a success. The Sagwands
were given irrigated land to cultivate and their chief receives
a subsidy of 700 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a month in return for his protection
of the caravan routes. He also supplies a force of sowars, known
as the Sagwand levy, who provide the necessary mamurs for the
Deputy Governor and the heads of the Revenue, Opium and
Adliyah departments.
( 2 ) Shushtar .—Shushtar presents a very different and less
difficult problem. So long as the Governor General’s budget
allows him to maintain a force of from 40 to 50 sowars and the
Bakhtiari Khans exercise a restraining influence over their
tribesmen, no serious outbreak in the district need be apprehend
ed. The town of Shushtar has from time immemorial been very
bigotted and the power here has always been in the hands of
the religious heads or the Kalantar family.
In both districts, however, owing to the influence of the
Shaikh of Muhammarah over the A 1 Kathir Arabs to the south
of the two towns cooperation between the Governor General and
the Shaikh is essential to good administration.
Southern Southern ’Arabistan presents a very different situation.
Province, ppg whole province is governed by the hereditary Muhaisin
Shaikh of Muhammarah, now Khaz’al Khan, 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. Aqdas,
Mu’izz as Saltaneh, who bears the title of Governor of the Shatt-
al-Arab and Karan, and also that of Sarhadd-dar, or Warden
of the Marshes. The rule of the present Shaikh is personal and
extremely stringent, but while his severity inspires awe, his
justice commands respect, and tribal opinion is fully consulted
by him through tribal councils, His principal adviser is Ilaj