File 2297/1919 ‘Persian Gulf Residency Monthly Reports. 1912-20.’ [‎498r] (1000/1044)

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instruments, but were dissuaded by the gholams. Shortly afterwards two
waggons loaded with ammunition arrived from Kasban for Ispahan guarded by
two Bakhtiaris who, seeing the position of the Naib, opened fire with the result
that one Bakhtiari, a camelman and four waggon horses were killed and all the
ammunition carried off. At the same time 17 mules and 1 horse laden with
merchandise were carried away. The Naib’s party left in the afternoon for
' Khafr where they are believed to have looted the up-post from Tehran.
(d). On 7th December, Naib Husain’s force was reported to be camped in
three divisions at Moghar, Nabad and Husainabad, the last named place two
farsakhs from Ardistan, the sack of which was expected, but on 9th news was
received that the force had passed that morning south of Ardistan in the
direction of Biabanek.
63. Movements of native cavalry .—On 4th December one squadron of
the 39th (K.G.O.) Central India Horse (being the increased escort of the
British Consulate General at Ispahan) which had left Abadeh on 26th Novem
ber arrived at Ispahan from Kalaa Shour where it had camped on the previous
day. It entered Ispahan by the upper Chahar Bagh about noon. Many of
the members of the European and Armenian communities went out to meet it.
There was no gathering of Persian spectators, partly perhaps because no notice
had been given to the local authorities, and partly because the attention of the
public was fixed upon the proceedings of the local Anjuman.
64. Tehran Road.—'For the period ending 2nd December the posts
arrived very irregularly owing to the absence of horses and the reported pre
sence of Naib Husain m the immediate vicinity of Kashan; they have since
been utterly disorganised owing mainly, as would appear, to all the post horses
between Ispahan and Kashan having died or being taken off.
65 («). Shiraz Road —There was no caravan traffic during the week
ending 25th November. A leading Ispahan merchant requested Mr. Grahame’s
permission for the goods robbed at Shulgistan on 12th October and since
recovered and collected at Abadeh to be escorted from there to Ispahan. This
was refused but the merchant referred to sent orders to his representative to
send them up with the Indian troops.
A). During the week ending 2nd December there was practically no
caravan traffic. A large caravan or group of caravans had been reported to be
coming up with or immediately behind the squadron of the 39th Central India
Horse.
This force, according to a message received on 29th November from Abadeh
encountered a party of 30 or 40 robbers shortly after leaving Yezd-i-Khast.
Accordino’ to details received from Kumisheh on 1st December, Captain Eckford,
with two°troops, endeavoured to cut these men off as they were making for the
“ Burg-i-Gardgir ” but failed to do so. In carrying out this movement Bisal-
dar Major Ghulam Muhammad received a wound in the thigh. The robbers
gained the tower and kept up a double tier fire from it. It was not judged
advisable to attack the tower. The large number (900 head) of transport then
massed together was diverted to the road west of the tower and, covered by the
squadron, moved on to Aminabad, which was reached in safety. Two of the
robbers were believed to have been wounded.
(c) . About the beginning of December there were Persian reports of fresh
Kuhgelui aggressions at Chah Ismail Khan and other points on the road be
tween Ispahan and Mahyar. These reports may be exaggerated but taken in
conjunction with the incident above cited tended to show that the condition of
the Shiraz road between Ispahan and the Ears boundary is most unsatisfactory.
(d) . The Shiraz post of 1st and 4th November which arrived on 28th reported
the road throughout insecure and more particularly between Shiraz and Abadeh.
It has since been reported safe.
66 (a). Yezd Road .—The robbery at Gulnabad on 19th November {vide
paragraph 62(6) above) has effectually scared off all caravans and checked
the hope of trade with Yezd which, in the present unsatisfactory condition of
the south, appeared to be the only remaining field open to Ispahan traders.
(6). Telegraphing on 24th November Mr. Blackman reported five posts then
expected by the Postmaster at Yezd. Erom enquiries made at Ispahan, it