Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎454r] (912/1028)

CHAPTER II.
Note on events in the Bikarz Area during the year 1928.
General .—The military detachment has been satisfactory during the
year under Naib Azizallah Khan, who, since the visit to the area of the Mili
tary Governor, Behbehan, in September has taken more active interest in his
command.
Agha Khan continues as Head of the Kashkuli Guards, which are now
reduced to 22 .
Guarding arrangements in Ganawah continue excellent, thanks to the
assistance and goodwill of Haider Khan, C.X-E-
Kerim Khan, Bavi, still remains our Head Guard at Gach Qaraguli,
and has given us every assistance during the year.
Political .—Persistent rumours that Luhrasib and other Boir Ahmedi
rebels intended directing their attentions to this area caused a certain
amount of uneasiness during the summer months. Nothing untowaid
occurred, however, though at one time the O. C. Garrison deemed the situa
tion called for reinforcements and ten additional nezamis were posted heie
for a few days.
Though Taqi Beg, Kashkuli, and Boir Ahmedi rebels of the Chaq-i-
Bazpa have continued their sporadic raiding, we have suffered no interfer
ence- It is gratifying to record that the power of Taqi Beg has declined,
and that the rebels were brought down from the Chaq in November and no
longer endanger the area.
The reappointment of Yawar Raksha as Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. and Military Gover
nor of the Qashqai in place of the mercenary and despotic Sultan Abbas
Khan Nikbakht is generally approved of. As a consequence of this change,
Isfandiar Khan dropped out of favour and although he still shares the
Kalantarship of the Kashkulis with Ilyas Khan, the latter has now more
influence in the Tribe. The Kashkuli Khans have returned to the area
for the winter, and our relations with them remain friendly.
In spite of the unsettled state of the Bavi Tribe, our operations K of
Zuhreh have continued unimpeded. Both Assad Khan and Ahmed Khan
were summoned to Ahwaz in connection with Bavi affairs. Settlement has
not vet been reached, the latest report being that Ahmed Khan is to share
the kalantarship with Assad Khan whose tyranny has been responsible for
the disunity in the Tribe-
Since the finding of oil in November, a keener interest by the Khans in
our activities has become noticeable. The reason for this will be readily
understood Further feelers have been put out regarding the matter of
compensation for land, etc. We have merely reiterated that the Central
Government is the Authority to refer to.
The main topic has been the activities of Imam Quli Khan and the Boir
Ahmedi outlaws, and the progress of operations- against them is being
watched with interest. The reverses sustained by the Military and the
Qashqai force have had a lowering effect on Government prestige, but it is
generally felt that this is only temporary, and that with the arrival of ex
pected reinforcements, the tide will turn in the favour of law and order.
H. G. AUSTIN,
Mishun ;
The 10th January 1929.