File 2297/1919 ‘Persian Gulf Residency Monthly Reports. 1912-20.’ [‎365v] (735/1044)

with effect from 21 st on wheeled vehicles and transport animals, etc. It seems
doubtful if the population will submit to this tax.
Governor-General, r 506. His Excellency Sultan Muhammad Khan, Bakhtiari, 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. -i-Ashjaa,
continues to show a very friendly disposition with regard to British interests and has
given a donation of Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. 100 to the Church Missionary Society’s School.
507. Ispahan bazar gossip at the end of the week ending 3 rd May was busy
with the departure of His Excellency the Governor-General and the imminent
arrival of the Zil-us-Sultan.
Condition of Prov- 508 . The Indo-European Telegraph Department signaller, Ardistan, reported
mce ’ during week ending 3rd May that the roads in that district were perfectly safe
and the prospects of the crops very good owing to timely rains.
509. It is rumoured that Naib Hussein’s men have been ordered to proceed
to the Shiraz road to assist the Gendarmerie.
Shiraz Road,
510. Favourable reports of the crops have been received from most of the
outlying districts.
511. (a) There were no arrivals or departures during week ending 5th April.
Shiraz post of 22nd March, arrived 5th April, reported the road between Shiraz
and Abadeh much disturbed. The post, however, was not molested.
Mulla Qobad is reported to have recojfyjed after a fight with the robbers and
sent to Qumisheh the merchandise robbed on the road on 17th March.
(b) There were no arrivals or departures during 'week ending 12th April.
Post which arrived from Shiraz on 12th April, reported the road south of
Abadeh very unsafe, but north of that point no difficulties.
Shiraz post of 26th March, arrived 15th April, reported that a band of 6 men
on foot had carried off two camels and merchandise (subsequently recovered by
Mulla Qobad) in the Mezdikhast gully.
(c) On 23rd April 17 waggons of the gendarm erie arrived from Shiraz with
a small escort of gendarmes, some 30 travellers and a considerable amount of
merchandise e.g., piece-goods, tumbac, skins and pelts, etc. With these arrived
some 60-70 mules with merchandise.
It is reported that the gendarmes of this party disarmed a certain number
of robbers on the road and deposited their arms at Yezdikhast.
The 17 gendarmerie waggons are in Ispahan awaiting, as it is said, the arrival
of the further detachment of gendarmes now marching from Teheran to Ispahan
which they are expected to reach on 5th May.
Sultanabad- 512. The Governor-General issued a notice that goods destined for Sultanabad,
Kermanshah- Kermanshah and Hamadan should be sent by Najafabad Qeis and Khonsor
Hamadan Roads. an q n0 {. Chahleh-i-Siah and Deh Haq. Guards having been posted on the for
mer road the authorities disclaim responsibility regarding the latter.
Ahwaz Road. 513. Post of 2nd April, arrived 20th, reported an attack at the Gav Peeseh
pass by 6 mounted men and 6 on foot on a caravan. The aggression has since
been explained as follows:—
On 20th April a Changurani villager coming to Ispahan wdth two mules was
attacked by two men on horseback and two on foot by whom his two
mules were carried off. They were subsequently recovered by another
horseman for a consideration. The robbery would appear to have
been committed by the guards themselves.
Post of 16th April from Ahwaz arrived 30th.
Messrs. Lynch's reports showed 208 packages received and 441 despatched
to Ahwaz.