File 2297/1919 ‘Persian Gulf Residency Monthly Reports. 1912-20.’ [‎305r] (614/1044)

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Prices were as follows :—
Barley 3 krans 4-6 shahis per batman.
Wheat 3 krans 6 shahis per batman.
Rice 7 krans per batman.
Bread (wheaten) 4 krans per batman.
The situation is receiving the most careful attention from M. Stas, who has
applied to Tehran for funds wherewith to purchase wheat for importation into
Shiraz : and enquiries are being conducted as to the district where wheat is
stored in any quantities, and whence it may be most conveniently purchased.
It is to be hoped that some effective measures maybe devised for dealing with
the situation, as otherwise it is to be feared that Shiraz may be faced with an
actual famine during the ensuing winter months.
1369. During the week ending 16th October traffic was proceeding normal- g^ata of roada.
ly. The Khan of Borasjun was said to have recommended the collection of
rahdari. It is clear that there will be no satisfactory solution to this longstand
ing question of rahdari and kindred abuses until the gendarmes have taken pos
session of the road. They will then be in a position to dictate their own terms
to these various Khans, instead of as at present being obliged to bargain with the
Khans as to what allowances the latter should be paid to put a stop to what is
virtually a system of highway robbery.
1370. The only robbery reported during the week under report is one which
took place some four miles to the east of Dehbid where a caravan of donkeys was
attacked by Khurd-shulis and one Dehbidi tufangchi killed. No other loss was
reported. Here again it is evident that occasional robberies must continue on
the Ispahan road until it is in occupation of the gendarmerie—it is to be hoped
not later than next spring.
1371. During the week ending 25th October traffic was proceeding nor
mally and no robberies were reported.
1372. During the week ending 1st November traffic was normal on both
roads. A caravan of 25 laden camels was said to have been carried off by
robbers some 12 miles north of Abadeh.
1373. Rahdari is still being levied in Konar Takhteh, Daliki and Ahmadi
districts. There is no traveller who has passed up or down this road during
recent years, and no merchant at Shiraz or Bushire, who will not welcome the
suppression of these scoundrels, and of the iniquitous system which they repre
sent, and of the abuses which they have perpetrated with impunity and to the
detriment of trade for so many years past.
1374. During the week ending 8th November traffic was proceeding nor
mally on both roads. W heat is being brought into Shiraz in considerable
quantities from Baunat, and other districts to the north.
1375. On the 5th November a band of Buwair Ahmadis carried off 60
donkeys and 600 sheep belonging to villagers near Abadeh.
1376. During the week ending 15th November traffic was proceeding nor
mally on both roads. A band of Buwair Ahmadis who were said to have passed
near Abadeh during the week going eastwards.
1377. Mr. Pell, of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, who arrived at
Dashtarjin on the 12th November on his way from Bushire to Shiraz, informed
the Consul that he had been thrice menaced by armed tufangchis on his way up
the road, and money extorted from him by threats of violence. The first occur
rence was at about 6 miles from Bushire : the second in the village of Ahmadi and
the third some 5 miles south of Daliki.
1378. On 14th November, a Mr. Tramble, an Armenian in the employment
of Messrs. Dixon and Company, returning from Shiraz to Bushire, was fired at
by tufangchis near Jaafarjin (between Kamarij and Konar Takhteh) but was
not hit. The tufangchis explained that they took him for a gendarme officer.