'Report on Kurdistan' [‎43r] (90/220)

After ruling his dominions for 38 years he assembled the notables of the coun
try, and in their presence divided their possessions amongst his three sons.
To Bakeh Beg, his eldest son, he gave the districts of Zolm, Shahr-i-Zor
Golambar, Shamiran, Haveran, Vaveran, and Noghud ; to Surkhab Beg, Hashi
Palingan, the present Senna and Kalamro-’Ali-Sheker, Mehreban and Kellash
which is the present Javanrud ; to Muhammad Beg, Saruchek, Barazag, Shahr-
i-Bazar, Alan, Arbil, Kui, Harir, Emadieh and Ruvanduz. He then entreated his
sons to live together in good fellowship and harmony.
He died a year later leaving his sons in peaceful possession of their governor*
ships, the two younger ones submissive to Bakeh Beg, their brother.
Bakeh Beg for 42 years ruled over his own possessions, looking after his
Bakeh Beg, * 900—942 A.H. brothers’ interests at the same time. He died in 942
(1495-1536 A.D.). A.H.
Bakeh was succeeded by his son Mamun Beg. Two years after his succession
Mamun Beg II, 942—45 a large army Was sent against him under Husain
A.H. (1536-39 iLD.). Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. by Sulaiman Khan, Sultan of Turkey. Mamun
Beg with 4,000 horsemen met the enemy on the 8th of Zicardeh 944 A.H. and
from morning to night he resisted 20,000 Turks. The battle was fierce. During
the night, having gathered the remnants of his men, Mamun Beg retired to Kaleh
Zolm, where for a whole month he resisted the Turks, who had surrounded the town
and cut off all communications.
Mamun Beg seeing the uselessness of further resistance, and wishing to spare
further hardships to the inhabitants of Kaleh Zolm, fled at night with some of his
attendants towards Constantinople, and on reaching the Court of Sultan Sulaiman
Khan was cast into prison. The Turks, on hearing of his departure, devastated
his possessions and returned to their own country.
Surkhab Beg, son of Mamun Beg I, and consequently uncle of Mamun Beg XI,
on hearing this news in 945 A.H. seized his nephew’s possessions as well as
SurkhabBeg, 945—975 A.H. the possessions of Muhammad Beg, his younger
(1539—1568 A.D.). brother, and thus became ruler of the greater part
of Kurdistan. He paid allegiance to Shah Tahmasp Sefavi, and built in the district
of Merivan at the top of a high mountain, a strong fort, the ruins of which are
still to be seen, as a place of refuge for the inhabitants in time of war.
Muhammad Beg fled to Constantinople and took refuge at the Court of
Sultan Sulaiman Khan. The Sultan, angry at Surkhab Beg’s conduct, released
Mamun Beg, gave him Hilla for his maintenance and that of his family, and sent
Rustam Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Akram, with 3,000 troops with Muhammad Beg and
Mamun Beg to devastate the part of Kurdistan belonging to Surkhab Beg.
Rustam Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. was met on the 24th of Rajab 947 A. H., in the plain of Shahr-
i-Zor, by Surkhab Beg with 8,000 men. Three times the Turkish vanguard
numbering 10,000 men was repulsed, and for 8 days Surkhah Beg kept up the
fight in which 7,000 Turks and 3,000 Kurds were killed. Surkhab Beg, to save
the remnant of his army, took refuge in the fort of Zolm, which was immediately
invested by the Turks who also ravaged all the surrounding country.
For two years Surkhab Beg successfully resisted all the efforts of the enemy
until Shah Tahmasp sent Husain Beg with 15,000 men to his rescue. Intense was
* Rulers of Persia : Timur-Lmg, 1353— f Rulers of Persia, Shah Isma’il Saffavi,
1405. Turkoman dynasty, 1335-1502. 1502-23. Shah Tahmasp, 1523-76.
U1B
J