'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎178r] (362/396)

foe the year ]919.
47
BAKHTIARI.
Lltu
JPolitical. Three events of importance have occurred during/year
t w 1 '^ S aP i! Ure T 0f f I ? otorious Sang of brigands headed by
Lynch Road, on the IMh JuTe ' Wh0 113(1 f0r the past year illfosted tbe
A 2 ' Th f formation of a commission for internal Bakhtiari affairs, on the
6th August. 1 G
3. The resignation of the Illkhaai, Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Zaffar and the Illbegi, Srdar
Ashjaa, on the 23rd, October. & ,
The first which v a^ engineered by our influence, and assisted bv our money
^ ms ) am ^ 1 < u ^ 1 t 1 on, following as it did upon the Bakhtiari victory over the
Kughilu chiefs m 1918, had the effect of making the Lynch Eoad safe to a
degree hitherto not dreamed of.
The second was brought about by a sincere desire on the part of the majority
of the Khans to arrange some sort of stable Government for Bakhtiari
and to avoid the chaos and alterations resultant/on a change of tbe Illkhaniship 7
and Illbegiship which have hitherto taken place.
A meeting of the Khans was held in Isfahan where they drew up a
ccmpact, which was afterwards revised by His Britannic Maiestry's Vice-Consul
at Chighakhor.
. Briefly, it consists of a Government composed of the Illkhani and Illbeai
wjth two assistants each.
. salaries of all six are fixed and the revenues, as much as possible o£
Which were previously used by the Illkhani and Jllbegi for their personal use/ ;
will now be placed to the benefit of the country, a 7
The third occurred in October and is due to the unwillingnessi of the
present Illkhani and Illbegi to adhere to the new regime.
It is expected that the new Illkhani and Illbegi when appointed, will be
compelled to carry out the conditions of the commission.
In any case they have been shown the way and further interference
seems unnecessary until such time as the Persian Government are prepared to
deal with them.
Economic. —The opening of the other trade routes since the end of ^War
has affected Bakhtiari badly. The road is a considerable source of income to
the.n both^ ifrom the tolls collected on the bridges and caravansaries. Taese
have materially decreased and the anxiety of the Bakhtiari is manifested by
the fact that special orders have been issued by the Illkhani to all caravan-
raidars against overcharging, petty looting, and other annoyances, which
had previously to be overcome by payments. The rate of freight has thus
fallen in the last six months from Krans 30 Shahmaund to Krs. 7.
The two bridges at Balutak and Shalil are badly in need of paint and
overhauling, and I understand that owing to urgent requests the Mesopotamia-
Persia Corporation are prepared to carry out this work if certain bad debts are
made good, or if the cost is advanced by the IChans, but whether they will be
feasible enough to pay for the maintainance of this route through their territory
remains to bo seen.
Cattle. —Disease has been prevalent amongst the cattle and sheep, speciallv
in Chahar Mahal,
Crops. —Have been good.
Kughilu.
Political. —Since the Bakhtiari expedition against the Kughilu in June
and July 1918, the Kughilus, except for a very minor squable amoagst
themselves, have beer f Iwlutely quiet, and there is nothing of any political
importance to reportj.