Annotated Copy of Persia and the Persian Question by George Curzon, with Inserted Papers [‎399r] (800/1814)

THE NORTH-WEST AND WESTERN PROVINCES
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bim in the Governorship, rebuilt and beautified the town with
bazaars, villas, and gardens, spending more, however, upon their
own gratification and aggrandisement than upon works of public
advantage. The post is commonly reserved for a near relative of
the sovereign, and was at one time part of the gigantic government
enjoyed by the Zil-es-Sultan, eldest son of the reigning Shah. On
an elevation in the middle of the town is the arsenal, built by the
Imad-ed-Dowleh, the second of the two royal governors above-
mentioned, and lately containing 2 Austrian Uchatius 12 -pounders,
2 brass smooth-bore 6 -pounders, and 500 Werndl rifles, with a
garrison of 500 men. Around the town, and particularly on the
south, are extensive orchards and gardens, producing a multiplicity
of fruits. Of the trade of Kermanshah, both local and transit,
which is considerable, and which has an interest for Englishmen,
I shall speak in a later chapter upon the Commerce of Persia.
The chief interest of Kermanshab to English travellers, and
an unquestionable incentive to a visit, is the fact that it is the
Yekil-ed- residence of Haji Agha Mohammed Hasan, commonly
Dowieh known as the Vekil-ed-Dowleh, who holds the office of
British Agent, and is one of the most remarkable men in Persia.
Brought by Sir H. Rawlinson, at an early age, to Teheran from
Baghdad, of which place he is a native, he has ever since remained
in the British service, and has, largely owing to the protection
from official rapacity which he has thereby enjoyed, amassed great
wealth, which he dispenses with a liberality and public spirit rare,
if not unique, in Persia. He keeps open house in Kermanshah,
and maintains a large and well-furnished residence, in addition, for
the reception of guests. He owns, or has built, the six chief
caravanserais in the town, some of which are structures of great
size and splendour. In addition, he is said to be the proprietor of
100 villages in the surrounding district, and has purchased the
Eilgusha palace and garden that were constructed by Mohammed
Ali Mirza. Upon the occasion of the Queen’s Jubilee he illu
minated the town and feted the inhabitants at his own expense—
a singular and affecting testimony of loyalty in a distant and alien
land. He has been made a C.M.G. by the British Government, of
which decoration he is vastly proud. I met the Vekil-ed-Dowleh,
who is now advancing in years, in Teheran, where he as nearly
as possible died of fever in the hands of the native physicians.
Being removed to the British Legation, and placed under the