Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎192r] (73/174)

1869-70. ]
DOUBTFUL ATTITUDE OF BOKHARA.
115
479 In answer to a letter from Alum, asking for instructions regardino.
the Bokhara envoy, who had now been with him more than a month the
Ameer (30th December) directed him to dismiss that personage with suitable
khilluts and return presents for his master. At the same time he told him to
expel from Toorkistan all disaffected persons.
480. On the 27th of December the British agent wrote to Colonel
Pollock that the Ameer had received from Alum the following information :
The Ameer of Bokhara was still at Hissar, Yakoob Anak with the Bokhara
forces at Payah. The Afghan well-wishers of Abdool Bahman, who' had fled
from Toorkistan, 1,500 in number, had been well received and entertained by
the Ameer of Bokhara. Jehandar Shah had entered Boostak with a force
of Bokhara troops, but had been defeated by Mahmood Shah and driven trans-
Oxus.
P. B. heard at Tashkurghan on the 19th December of the entrance of
Jehandar Shah’s force, and in his letter of 20th December expressed his own
opinion that they were not Bokhara troops, but men from Koolab. Neverthe
less, he thought the Ameer of Bokhara encouraged the movement as a feeler.
In his letter of 10th January 1871, written from Cabul, he again threw
doubt on the statement that Bokhara troops had crossed the Oxus, and said
that Ameer Shere Ali encouraged reports of that nature, in order to give a
handle for his designs on Kirkee and Charjoee ; so these were generally known
in CabuL
481. On the 3rd January intelligence was received from Alum that, hear
ing of the act of the Ameer of Bokhara in sending Abdool Bahman to
Koolab, Ishak to Hissar, and Jehandar Shah with 10,000 men to Budukshan,
he sent for the Bokhara envoy and said—
“ *On the one hand, the King writes me letters and expresses his friendship with the
Ameer, and on the other he detaches Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
* Diary ending 3rd January 1870. Abdool Rahman Khan and Mahomed Ishak Khan,
who are the enemies of the Cabul Government, to
Koolab and Hissar. One day the enemies of the King cross to this territory, and another day
the opponents of the Cabul Government seek shelter with the King. Can vve tolerate our
opponents near ourselves? As soon as the King returns to Bokhara, vve shall be constrained to
expel Abdool Rahman Khan and Ishak Khan from our vicinity. Tne King should (1) make
over the above Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. to us on account of their being our enemies, and we will deliver over
Meer Surrah Beg Khan, Meer of Shereabad, and Meer of Hissar, to him ; this will tend to
expelling enemies of both Governments ; (2), if the King does not send the above Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
as prisoners to us, he can take them to Bokhara, otherwise in the event of his leaving them
here, we shall detach Meer Surrah Beg Khan for Khwaja-Ghur or Roostak with a strong force
to oppose them/”
The envoy promised to communicate these observations to bis master, and
not having yet received the Ameer’s instructions, Alum wrote on his own res
ponsibility to the Ameer of Bokhara, recounting Jehandar Shah’s own history—
how he was appointed Governor of Budukshan by Shere Ali on the visit in
1864, in which Afzul was deprived of the charge of Toorkistan: bow, on
Azim’s coming from Chitral, he bad joined the party hostile to Shere Ali, and
was therefore appointed Meer of Budukshan by Abdool Bahman; how, on
the turn of fortune, he had neglected to turn too, had refused to make his sub
mission, and was consequently, at Alum’s command, replaced by Mahmood
Shah—the object of this recital being of course to shew that Budukshan was
Afghan territory.
At the same time Ibrahim^ who had now at last reached Tashkurghan
sent on news ee received from Mahmood Shah, who prayed for assistance that
fa J On the 27th December a letter had been received from Alum prognosticating difficulties from the deputation of
Ibrahim, who was not likely to treat him—a common soldier—better than he had treated the distinguished General
Mahomed Rnfeek, whom he had grossly insulted, and begging therefore to be recalled to Cabul. In tact, the Agent
wrote; having managed Toorkistan, single-handed for a year, he disliked the prospect of interference. Ihe Ameer-
in reply, “sent a re-assuring letter to the Naib, and directed Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Mahomed Ibrahim Khan to consult the INaih iu au
matters, both important and trivial.”