Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎239r] (167/174)

Enclosure No- 2,
No 77, dated Gulahek, the 20th June 1871.
From— C. Alison, Esq., c. b., Her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Teheran.
To—The Right Hon'ble the Earl of Granville, k. g., &c., &c., &c.
I have the honor to enclose translation of a letter* which I have
* j une 9th. received from the Meshed Agent, reporting
the capture of Sebzwar and Furrah by
Jacoob Khan, and some serious Toorkoman incursions in Khorassan.
Translation of a letter from the Meshed Agent, to Mr. Alison, dated the 9th June 1871.
On the 1st instant two horsemen arrived from Herat. Mahomed Yacoob
Khan has written to His Royal Highness the Deputy Governor, and to His
Excellency the Mustesha-ul-Moolk, the particulars of the state of Herat, which
he had taken by assault, and’during which action about 2,000 persons in that
city were killed, including Eath Mahomed Khan and his son.
After this victory a force from Cabul reached Eurrah and Sebzwar;
Yakoob Khan sent 2,000 Jemsheedee and 1,000 Toorkoman horse to oppose
it. They found a portion of the Cabul force at Sebzwar; it consisted of two
regiments of infantry and 500 horse. That place was besieged for three days,
after which the Cabul regiments went over to Yacoob Khan’s force and put
it in possession of Sebzwar. This done, Khan Agha, Jemsheedee, proceeded
with a force to Eurrah, which was garrisoned with three Cabul regiments of
infantry and 1,000 horse. The place was invested, but has not yet been taken.
The news of this quarter is, that Prince Mehdy Koolee Mirza went to
Taeen with 200 horse and 300 matchlockmen. He encountered 42 Toorkomans
on foot, with whom a fight was kept up for three days. He lost 30 men before
he could capture these Toorkomans, 22 of whom were killed and the rest taken
prisoners.
Two days ago news reached from Khelat* that 3,000 Toorkomans had
reached that place; that they had captured 700
* Kekt-i-Nadin. corn- reapers and taken three forts by assault, whose
inhabitants were all made captives. The Prince ordered that the Toorbet and
Toorsheez foot should proceed to the assistance ot Khelat. Toorkomans are
daily making raids into Khorassan.
A horseman has just arrived from Herat, and reports that the Cabul force
at Eurrah had been defeated; that a portion of the troops had fled towards
Candahar, and another portion had enlisted under Yacoob Khan; and that
Eurrah had fallen into his possession : 700 Toorkoman families of the Saruk and
Sarloo tribes had come to Herat. Yacoob Khan assigned to them the lands
occupied by the Hazarehs. Their families are now engaged in cultivating those
lands, while the men are serving under Yacoob Khan. This is, however, mere y
a verbal report, but I will make further enquiries and let you know the result.
The harvest having set in, provisions are, thank God, cheaper. Barley sells
at 8 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. and wheat at 20 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. the Kharwar.
TranslateLby—
W. J. DICKSON.