"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٣] (٦١٦/٢٣١)

30 'ADMINISTKATION KEPOET OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY
Immediately before this the Sagwand had been attacked and plundered bv
the Wali of Fnsht-i-Kuh and the Beni Lam Arabs and had sought refuge
the town in a semi-destitute condition.
They had begged for the protection of the Bakhtiari, but this had been
refused unless an excessive sum were paid up as damages for the incident of
the Saif-un-Nizam.
The Bakhtiaris now pressed the question and fell on such Sagwand as
were within their reach. Eventually they reduced their demands and a settle-
ment was arrived at.
33. The other matters with which they occupied themselves was the
collection of the Dizful revenue. Here again a compromise was arrived ni
certain of the principal inhabitants making themselves responsible for the
payment of the revenue, less certain remissions.
This point was, however, not reached until the town had been put in a
state of defence and the Bakhtiaris had with difficulty seized a portion of it.
They had on their side the influence of the Qutb-us-lSadat, but were hard put
to it for supplies. They eventually took up their quarters in the p.ilace
Kushk on the right bank of the L>iz, where their presence did not serve to
enhance the peace of the neighbourhood. They returned to Ah Bid towards
the end of February.
84. In spring the bridge over the Diz, on which the prosperity of the
town mainly depends, was seriously damaged by floods. Temporary repa rs
were executed which rendered it passable, and more extensive operations were
undertaken when the river readied its low summer level. A premature rise in
the river in autumn, however, swept away the barrages made to facilitate tbe
work, and rendered further efforts impossible. This bridge is fallins: into
decay, and as there is not the slightest likelihood of its ever being submitted
to intelligent and adequate restoration, its transfer to the antiquarian list of
Persian public works is merely a matter of time.
35. The friendly relations now existing for some years between the Vice-
Consulate and the aged and estimable chief IVIujtahid of Dizful, Sheikh
Muhammad Hassan, and his son Sheik Muhammad Baqir were fully maintained
during the year.
T he B akhtiari.
36. Internal affairs. —The early part of the period occupying attention
was marked by important events in the domestic affairs of the Bakhtiari
Khans.
More through the iuflnence of his brother the Shuja-us-Sultan in Tehran
than by his own efforts the Shahab-us-Sultanah succeeded in securing for
himself in^ April the Ilkhaniship of the tribes, while the llbegiship was con
ferred on his brother, the Sarum-um-Mulk. This implied the displacement of
the Samsam-us-Sultanah who was duly deposed.
The Samsam resented his deposition, and for seme time affairs were in a
position in which among any more virile nationality active hostilities would
have been inevitable.
. Orders were issued from Tehran for the despatch of the Samsam to the
capital, but he defied them, and the Shahab's valour could rot rise to the point
of attempting compulsion.
The first part of the play was enacted at Malamir, but eventually tbe
Samsam made off with what speed he might up the Ispahan road, "like a
wounded bear"—to use his own not inapt description.
Establishing himself in the Chaharmahal lie set himself to destroy all law
and order in the country. Caravans w ere robbed daily, and at his instigation a
raid was made on the property of the Oil Syndicate by a party of Kuhgalu.
The Sardar Mukarram passing through the country on his way to Luristan
espoused the cause of the Shahab with whom he travelled up to Ardal. His
efforts were, however, unavailing^to frighten ttie Samsam or stiffen the