"تقارير إدارة أقسام ومناطق الأراضي المحتلة في بلاد الرافدين لسنة ١٩١٨. المجلد I" [ظ‎‎٦‎١] (٤٧٠/١٢٧)

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Saiyid Muhammad Taqi. —Of the family of Sadat Shah "Abdul Azimi. Much respected.
Shaikh Muhammad Harez.- —An Arab ‘alim, aloof from politics.
Saiyid Hashim al Hindi. —A British subject, given to intrigue, with an undue idea of his own
importance. In reality of no influence whatever.
Ashraf and Merchants and Shaikhs of Najaf.
Bait Nizam ud daulah. —Nizam ud daulah, grandfather of Hamid Khan, was Sadr A‘zam to
Muhammad Shah (nephew of Fath ‘Ali Shah) and the richest man in Persia.
He married a daughter of Fath ‘Ali Shah. At the age of 28 his power and wealth were such that,
as usual in Persia, a conspiracy was set on foot to overthrow and to murder him. This probably would
have succeeded, but, through the good offices of the British and Russian embassies, he and his family
succeeded in escaping via Baghdad to Najaf, at which place he took up his residence.
He was a man of great learning, and eventually became a Mujtahid, the only recorded instance of
a man of distinguished family attaining this degree. His son was known for this reason as Nizam
ul Ulem.
The family are very large landlords, and the most famous and honoured in Najaf. The present
representative is Hamid Khan, the P.A. to the P.O., whose knowledge of Najaf and its characters is as
unique as it is invaluable.
Saiyid 'Abbas Kiliddar {Rafaii Family): 'Amarah quarter .—The richest family in Najaf. He
has done excellent service since the fall of Baghdad, and is certainly pro-British. At times he is a bar,
but he is better than his uncle.
Saiyid Hadi Naqib al Ashraf: 'Amarah quarter. —Uncle of the Kiliddar. In reality a great
supporter of Government, but pitifully weak and vacillating, and consequently useless when he is most
needed. Not possessed of much intelligence. There is open enmity between him and the Kiliddar,
and no remarks by either about the other should ever be listened to. Both he and the Kiliddar must
be strongly backed by Government to be of any use at all.
Bait Sha'ban: ‘Amarah quarter. —Khadims in the Mosque and merchants. Two of the family,
‘Abdul Rasul and Hasan, are bad characters.
Bait Habubi: Hawaish quarter. —Merchants. The most prominent is Saiyid ‘Ah al Saiyid
Muhammad Sa‘id. Saiyid Muhammad was most fanatical in the Jihad, and died at Nasariyah.
Suspected of trading with Ibn Rashid.
Bait Shamsah : Mushraq quarter. —Khadims in the Mosque and landlords. A respectable family.
Haji ‘Abdul Razzan is Rais Baladiyah of Najaf, has done excellent work, and can be relied upon.
Bait Kammunah : Mushraq quarter. —Khadims in the Mosque, landlords and petty traders.
Mulla Shakir: Mushraq quarter. —The direct descendant of Mulla Muhammad Kiliddar, and
almost King of Najaf about 60 years ago. Mulla Shakir was thoroughly in with the Najaf Shaikhs,
and used his power unscrupulously during their rule to loot and to obtain property. Thoroughly
untrustworthy.
Bait ‘Ajinah : Buraq gwrfer.—Respectable merchants. The head of the family is Haji Muhammad
Said.
Bait Naji: Buraq quarter .—Large grain merchants. Strongly suspected of trading with Ibn
Rashid.
Haji Muhsin Shallash : Buraq quarter. —The richest financier and merchant in Najaf. He did
invaluable work during the Blockade. A man of great acumen and well versed in affairs. He can be
relied upon to give sound advice, and to be of great assistance in the matter of municipal improvements
and projects.
He is the manager of the tramway company, and has his finger in every pie. In political matters
he is, however, unreliable, as also, very naturally, in matters which may affect his own pocket, one way
or the other. He should therefore be treated with considerable care, as, owing to his great interests,
there are very few matters which do not affect him, and it is valuable to find out what his interests may
be in any particular matter before seeing him himself.
His brother, Haji Rauf, is able, but entirely overshadowed by Haji Muhsin.
Saiyid Mahdi al Saiyid Salman: Huwaish quarter .—Read of Saiyid Salman family. A many-faced
liar, unreliable and cunning, but a supporter of Government. A great lover of money, to obtain which
he undertakes any responsibility and risks. Hereditary head of the Zuqurt. He is one of the famous
four Shaikhs of Najaf. During the Blockade he could have assisted the Government in many ways
but did not use his influence in the best way possible. Proverbially well known as mean and a miser!
Saiyid Hadi ibn Saiyid Muhammad : Huwaish quarter.—Re is from Saiyid Sajman’s family and
a nephew of the above. J ’
His behaviour during the Blockade not satisfactory.
Saiyid 'Abub and Saiyid Kadhim: Huwaish quarter .—Rons, of Saiyid Mahdi Saiyid Salman.
Vaguely reported, but not confirmed, as having taken part in the conspiracy which resulted in the
murder of Captain Marshall.
Saiyid 'Abdul Husain ibn Saiyid 'Ali : Hmvaish quarter.—Also from family of Saiyid
His conduct during the Blockade suspicious.
Haji Hassun Sharbah : Huwaish quarter .—Read of Sharbah family, who are Zuqurts a
unreliable, but, oddly enough, his conduct during the Blockade good.
Ghaidan 'Adwah : Huwaish quarter .—Read of the ‘ Adwah family, and a Zuqurt Two of
deported. Entirely unreliable and a lover of money. ^
Salman,
liar and
his sons