'Report on Sistan and the Country Between It and Mashad' [‎12v] (29/118)

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On the 9th of February Ali Akbar Khan arrived at Khur. I was there
two or three days before him, as he had put off his departure ten days on my
account, and was delayed on the road by some heavy snowstorms. He was
travelling with a large suite and all his harem.
Next morning he pitched a reception tent, and we had a long interview.
He received me with the greatest courtesy, regretted having been away from
Sistan, and hoped everything had been done to entertain me in his absence.
The first glance showed me he was a very different stamp of man to his
brother, and I understood the constant allusions of the peasants to him as
<( shamshirtar ” when compared with Ismail. Keally a trifle older, he is much
younger in appearance than his brother, and a fine, strong, soldierlike man
for a Persian. He is a little stout, about the middle height, and has a strong,
resolute-looking face that precludes the idea of his being dominated by his
brother. His manner is singularly straightforward, and he struck me as
being a man of considerable ability.
If he allows his brother to meddle with Sistan, it must be owing to in
difference and disgust at finding himself in the inferior position and not to
incapacity or weakness.
During this interview I presented him with Mr. Elias's letter and
presents, which again consisted of a rifle and a revolver. He was much pleased
with them and handled the rifle like a sportsman.
In the course of conversation I explained as well as I was able the
English policy as regards Afghanistan and Russia.
He took great interest in the matter, especially concerning Afghanistan,
and appeared to be well informed on the subject. His idea was that we
would continue to find the Amir refractory until we had given him a good
beating, and he was anxious to know whether we were likely to do so, quite
appreciating the delicacy of the situation. As regards English interests in
Sistan, he expressed the greatest sympathy, and said I might rest assured that
he would do whatever lay in his power to further them • that, of course, he was
the servant of the Shah, and his sanction would be necessary in case of any
projects we might have in view—this with reference to the establishment of
a post route,—but that he was well aware of the great friendship existing
between our Government and Persia.
Our interview ended here, but in the afternoon I rode out some distance
with him, as he had to move on to the next village for supplies for his enor
mous caravan,
This gave me the opportunity of a more private conversation, and I
pointed out to him that we were nearer neighbours to him than the Russians
were by reason of our command of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and that there was a
possibility of our becoming nearer neighbours still by the voluntary adhesion
of Baluchistan to the British Crown.
He agreed that it would be greatly to his advantage to be on friendly
terms with us, and, moreover, assured me that he had a great respect for
British power. r
At parting I gave him a very nice telescope in recognition of the hand
some way xiy nad enteilamed me during the short time we were together,,
Though it must have been at considerable inconvenience to himself he
insisted on sending me all my meals ready cooked and served up in about
twenty diiierent china dishes on a most lavish scale.