'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1911-1914' [‎24v] (53/488)

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Rudhllleh and Mukaberrin Shabancara as far as the Sur of Bidun
near Anjiru : south of the Rudhilleh river the boundary with Angali
is betwhen Kurraband and Zerdaki in Angali, and then runs south
to within a few miles of Shief.
In 1904, during the Governorship of the Gulf Ports by the present
Nizam-us-Sultaneh, the introduction of Customs posts along the ports of the
district led to difficulties with the Khans, who had previously managed their own
Customs. This difficulty was settled by the Khans agreeing to the establish
ment of a Customs post at Bandar Rig, and at Bandar Dilam, and the levy of.
duties under the new Tariff : but in return for the remission of nearly all the
maliyat (revenue) at which the districts were assessed. The balance still paid
amounts to J 8,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. for Hayat Daod ; 4,020 toir^ns for Rudhilleh.
Recently in 1910 an arrangement was come to between the Provincial
Customs and the Khans by which the latter agreed to the establishment of a
post near the mouth of the Rudhilleh river, and the Customs to pay the Khans
1.000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. per annum : one-third of this goes to the son of the chief Khan
of Bandar Rig, one-third to the son of Mohammed Khan, the brother who resides
at Chaharrustai, one-third to the son of Hussein Quli Khan at Rudhilleh.
A Customs post has also been opened at Genaweh, a small port between
Bandar Rig and Kuh-i-Bang.
The revenue of the Khans is drawn from taxation of land under cultivation,
and from tithes of all produce exported from the districts, also from date gardens
and other sources. One of the most important villages is Shul, between the
Kuh-i-Bang mountains and the coast range, and on the borders of Lirawi.
The ruling family would appear to be a branch of that ruling in the time of
Mir Mohanna, the pirate, in 1760, when Bandar Rig was a more influential port
than Bushire : but their rise and extension of power dates only from the past two
generations.
Khan Ali Khan, who died about 15 years ago, was continually in trouble
with the Governor of the Gulf Ports, and in consequence of his turbulence and
arrears his two eldest sons Haidar Khan and Mohammed Khan were, in their
boyhood, brought up in Bushire, as hostages for their father's conduct.
Khan Ali Khan was constantly fighting, and generally victorious over, Haji
Hassan Khan of Lirawi, the district immediately north of Kuh-i-Bang.
After his death his sons divided their spheres of influence as follows :—
Haidar Khan took Bandar Rig.
Hussein Quli Khan took the district of Rudhilleh.
Mohammed Khan took Chaharrustai and acts as commander of the forces
of the district.
Further, after the death of Murad Khan, brother of Khan Ali, the ports of
Bandar Dilam and Genaweh were by family arrangement entrusted
to his son, Hussein Khan, and the latter's sons.
The strength of the district and Khans lies however in the unity of control,
for all are obedient to the eldest brother, Haidar Khan, whose word is law in the
district, and outside also. Their wealth, and successful business in smuggling
has perhaps added to their power in former years.
Moreover by his ^ sister's marriage to Agha Khan, the third son of Haji
Hassan Khan of Lirawi, and other marriage ties, besides the lessons of several
defeats, Haidar Khan has acquired a ruling voice in the policy of the Khans of
Lirawi, and their district. Lirawi today is practically part and parcel with Hayat
Daoud.
Haidar Khan, who is not a fighting Khan, wields great influence by his
sagacity and powerful position over the Khans of Shabancara and Angali as well,
while he enjoys cordial relations with the Kashkuli Khans, his neighbours across
the mountains. 0