File 2297/1919 ‘Persian Gulf Residency Monthly Reports. 1912-20.’ [‎446v] (897/1044)

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826. On July 22nd Monsieur Stas, Superintendent of the Revenue, arrived
from Bandar Abbas, Mirza Ibrahim Khan, his assistant, having-arrived from
Tehran on the previous day.
Local Govern- 827. The dismissal of Amir-i-A’zam has had most unfortunate results.
P 51 ® 114, The Acting G overnor, with the best intentions, is weak, an^ dpll power is in the
hands of ’Adl-us-Sultan, who is a most mischievous intriguer and, like his brother,
a partner of robbers. He invited the Afshars and Buchakchis into the town and
used them for the purpose of terrorizing and robbing those who supported the
late Governor-General, whom he regards as his personal enemies. Between
thirty and forty persons have taken “ bast (Per.) A Persian custom allowing an individual to seek asylum at a designated location. ” in the British Consulate, and ’Adl-
us-Sultan takes no notice of applications for redress. The Afshars left the town
on the night of July 29th, taking with them Gunj Ali Khan, the late Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. , and
Husain Buchakchi, who had been sent into Kerman by Amir-i-A’zam and, under
the orders of the new Governor-General, should have been detained under arrest
until his arrival. ’Adl-us-Sultan was responsible for their safe custody and had
promised that they should not be allowed to escape but assisted them to do so in
consideration of a bribe of 3,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . Gunj Ali Khan and his Afshars plun
dered a caravan on leaving the city.
Condition o£ 828. The ex-Governor-General was in camp at Turushab and Mashiz for the
Country. G f ^} ie xnonth, and is said to have collected a good deal of money, an
account of wdiich the Persian Government, after the manner in which they have
treated him, may find it difficult to obtain. Gunj Ali Khan and Husain Khan
Buchakchi were imprisoned in chains for their share in the late rebellion and Abbas
Sabili, a companion of the late Bif at-i-Nizam, was blown from a gun.
829. The condition of the country since the departure of Amir-i-A’zam is
deplorable. The Afshars and Buchakchis have been plundering people and insult
ing women in the town and the surrounding villages, and the only official with any
power has encouraged rather than restrained them.
830. Sa’id 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. -i-Nizam) of Bampur wrote a letter to the Governor
of Bam threatening to avenge the death of his friend, Bif at-i-Nizam, by plundering
Narmashir and Bam, but the letter was apparently written under the impression
that the report of Bif at-i-Nizanf s execution was premature and in the hope that
it might save his life. The threat is not likely to be carried out. Bif at-i-Nizanf s
property has been confiscated, tw T o of his principal followers have been arrested
and imprisoned in Bam, and his family and dependents are said to have fled to
Sistan and Baluchistan.
831. The treasure of the Imperial Bank of Persia was moved on July 10th
from the British Consulate to the town.
832. The Governor of Shar-i-Babak returned nearly all the animals stolen
on June 26th from the neighbourhood of Anar, he having heard that Amir-i-A’zam
was likely to attack Shar-i-Babak unless he did so.
Condition of -^ r - C <a:rr °f Ik© Church Missionary Society arrived in Kerman from
Roads, Telegraph Yezd on July 10th, having been robbed of everything between Fahraj and Girdi-
and Postal Service. ]£uh i n Yezd territory.
834. A large caravan of carpets, the first for four months, left Kerman for
Bandar Abbas on July 7th.
Arms Traffic. 835. Zargham-i-Nizam of Budbar is said to have imported 500 magazine
rifles with cartridges, and Mir Baksh Khan, son of Sa’id Khan, is said to have
imported 60 magazine rifles and 60,000 cartridges.
British Interests. 836. Bankruptcy proceedings in the case of the Parsi firm of Kausian and two
Turkish bankrupts are progressing very slowly in the Karguzari, and British claim
ants are likely to suffer.
837. Ihe Council succeeded in obtaining from Amir-i-A’zam before he left
a draft for 1,300 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. on account of compensation for a robbery of a caravan com
mitted by Shazada Hasan on the Bandar Abbas road. The proceeds of the draft will
be handed over to the Hindu merchants concerned.
P. Z. COX, Lieut.-Colonel,
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
G. M. Press, Simla.—No. C. 467 F. D.—8-10-12.— 20 , J.N.B.