'CORRECTIONS TO GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME III' [‎55r] (111/180)

KUH-KUH
55
When divided by locality they are known as Pusht-i-Kuh (hill tribes) and
Zir-i-Kuh (plain dwellers), and are grouped as follows :—
The inhabitants of Behbehan, Zaidan, Humajat, Liravi (coast district),
and Bandar Dilam are also classed as Zir-i-Kiih Kuhgalus, but they are
this system is followed in this article. For a description of the inhabitants
of those places see under their respective names. Details regarding the sub-
Characteristics .—In 1909 Lieutenant Wilson said the Kuhgalu were gen
erally of smaller build, less good looking, less striking in appearance, but more
daring, more suspicious, more thievish, and more savage, though less
well armed than the Bakhtiari. Probably only one man in three had a ser
viceable rifle, and grown men carried a little sling, wherewith to slay birds
and other small animals. ”
In 1910, however, Lieutenant Ranking said :—
“ The Kuhgalu are infinitely better armed and physically are a finer raco
than their neighbours the Bakhtiaris, or the tribes who inhabit Western Lur-
istan. They are wild and lawless, most notably the Taiyibi, who have gained
an unenviable notoriety in connection with their depredations on the Lynch
Road (Ahwaz to Isfahan via the Bakhtiari Country).”
Since then they have probably armed themselves still better as Behbehan
had become, in 1912, a depot for the sale of arms, and many cargoes were
probably run across from the Arabian coast to near Bandar Dilam.
Relations with British .—In 1909 Lieutenant Wilson wrote as follows regard
ing British relations with the Kuhgalu.
“ The principal Kuhgalu chiefs are anxious to open up friendly relations
with the British. That it is desirable from our point of view that such should
exist is indisputable. The existence of important British interests, in the
shape of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s works, at Mamatain, close to the
Kuhgalu border, is in itself a sufficient justification, for the population of
Mamatain consists mainly of Kala Kaj Kuhgalu (Bahmai). We must not
put all our eggs into one basket by cultivating the friendship of the BakhtiHri
to the neglect of the Kuhgalu, whose virile qualities will sooner or later en
sure them a position and a hearing in the settlement of local problems.”
Should the Kuhgalu wish to annoy the Bakhtiari, they could easily seize
Mamatain, and could not readily be turned out, though their numbers, only
one fifth of the Pakhtiarls make it unlikely that they could oiler a prolonged
resistance!
(1) Pusht-i-Kuh.
(2) Zir-i-Kuh.
Bulr Ahmadl.
Dushman Ziarl.
Churam.
Nuyl.
Bavl.
Khadiri (Liravi).
Agha Jari.
sedentary and sometimes excluded from the classification of Kuhgalus, and
divisions of the Kuhgalu will also be found under the individual sub-tribes.
Military.
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