‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎155r] (314/722)

rear ; but, in consideration of the superior productiveness of bis country, be
is required to pay a large sum yearly in the shape of revenue. This sum
has been gradually increased until it now reaches 40,000 tumans per
annum. In addition to this, a yearly tribute in horses and gold coins is
exacted. These terms are easy when the wealth of the district is con
sidered ; and the complete exemption of the people from regular military
service is at the price a cheap boon.
In addition to the protection of his own border, on which the security of
the districts in the rear depends, the chief is bound to aid the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. of
Bujnurd ; but such assistance has only twice in a period of many years been
required, and the feud between the two tribes makes any cordial coopera
tion impossible. The chief of Daraghaz also has the right to demand
assistance, which is frequently and willingly rendered, and is most necessary.
With the weak force and exposed position of Daraghaz, its tenure would, in
fact, be almost impossible, if the 1,000 horsemen of Kuchan were not held
ready to give prompt aid.
The present' Khan of Kuchan' (1881), Amir Husain Khan, is a man of
fifty years of age, and the most prominent and influential chieftain in
Khurasan. He bears a high character for personal courage, and has well
earned the title of Suja-ud-daula. He is, however, ambitious, proud,
and extravagant in his personal expenditure—qualities which secure respect,
while they interfere with his popularity. With his ambition, he does not
appear to combine any of the talents that would make it dangerous, but is,
on the contrary, shallow and imprudent. He was popularly believed to be
aiming at the chief posts in the province ; and with his wealth, influence,
and a great assumption of piety, which secured him the goodwill of the
priesthood, the prize was hardly beyond his reach, if his pride had not
brought him into collision with the late governor general—a mishap that
has caused his temporary banishment and disgrace, if not his ruin. In
the winter of 1873 he refused to attend a summons of the governor gen
eral to reply to some charges brought against him. A force was taken by
the governor general in person as far as Sarkhan, a village a few miles
from Kuchan. The Kurds held by their chief, and prepared to resist the
royal troops, and open war was only averted by concessions on both sides.
The season was very unfavourable, and the attitude of the Zafaranlu deter
mined ; while the Kuchan chief knew well that the ultimate result of resist
ance could only be most disastrous to himself. He was allowed to remain in
his chiefship, but on payment of a heavy bribe, under the name of
a fine, to his superior; and the troops returned to Mashhad. He had,
however, to deal with an implacable and powerful enemy, and has since been
forced to present himself, first at Mashhad and then at Tihran, and has
suffered imprisonment and confiscation of all his property; while his son has
been driven into open rebellion, and is now forced to seek an asylum
with the Turkumans. Among the Zafaranlu, the chief is unpopular. His
pride and the exactions necessary to maintain his lavish expenditure, and
his harsh treatment of his son, were usually alleged as the chief causes, the
latter cause has probably the most influence with the tribe ; foi his son, ALul
Hasan Khan, is idolised by his followers. He has
Abul Hasan Khan. a i rea( ly, though only about twenty years of age, given
proof of great courage and skill as a leader j and his open-handed liberality
is loudly extolled. The influence acquired by him is so great as to have
aroused his father’s jealousy ; and he was, about two years ago, depnved of
his government of Shirwan and imprisoned. Better counsels, or perhaps