'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1911-1914' [‎159v] (323/488)

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52 PEESIAN GVW APMINWRATION REPORT
some of the Baluch chiefs. No results of any consequence were arrived at as
regards Baluchistan. From Bam the Amir moved on through Narmashir and
vid Mil-i-Earhad into Kudbar and Jiruft. The local chief of Eudbar, the
Zargham-i-Nizam, declined to trust himself in his camp, but negotiations took
place which resulted in the Zargham's paying up the balance of his
revenue for the preceding year, some 13,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , as well as presents
amounting to 7,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . He also came to a working understanding
with the Amir for the preservation of order in the district. Tho
Amir-i-Mufakham then proceeded to the Aqta Afshar country. Here he found
that ready money, for the payment of the arrears of revenue, was not available.
He referred to His Majesty's Consul and Mr. LecofPre who advised him to arrest
and bring in the principal chiefs and leaders of rebellion in the Afshars tribe,
Ghunj Ali Khan and the Sowlet-ul-Mulk. This he declared he was not
strong enough to do. The Afshars tendered a nominal obedience, and it was
alleged by the Amir that they eventually paid up the last year's revenue,
gave undertakings for the arrears of previous years and for the good govern
ment of their country, and restored the bulk of the property stolen by them
in the preceding year. In return the Amir appointed one of themselves,
Eath Ali Khan, as Local Governor and took three persons as hostages. In the
meantime the Amir had been negotiating with and threatening the principal
recalcitrants of Sirjan. Matters here did not go so smoothly for, on his
.entering their country, most of these persons fled to the hills where they made
a display of rebellion. Some show of fighting took place and, eventually, the
chief ringleaders were secured, Hussain Khan, Bnchaqchi, two sons of J^ajaf
Kuli Khan, and the Rashid-us-Sultan. Hussain Khan was released on parole,
the 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. Nusrat going surety, and, as was to be expected, broke faith and
escaped. The Amir proceeded with the remainder of his prisoners to Kerman»
which he reached on July 5th, leaving the 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. Nusrat to settle matters
wdth Hussain Khan. The fugitive was not recaptured but in some w r eeks of
negotiations the 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. 's forts are said to have resulted in security being
obtained for the payment of the forfeited penalty. If it was ever recovered
nothing is known of what became of it. From the point of view of the
general security of the province the expedition had been a success, and it was
with this object only that His Majesty's Consul had recommended and pressed
for it. * If there was little fighting, and that only in Sirjan, no reverse was
sustained by the Government force, while the province was reduced to a state
of order, and the Amir's prestige was firmly established. Had the expedition
not been undertaken it is probable that the unrest, still simmering after
the rebellion of 1912, would have rapidly gained strength and led to the
establishment of complete anarchy in the districts and on the trade routes.
On the other t and, as a means of collecting revenue, the expedition cannot
be called a success. Considerable sums of money were doubtless collected
by the Amir but the bulk of them went into his own capacious pockets, while
movable property of all kinds is said to have been despatched by him from
Sirjan to his home in Kamara.
All that he paid in or accounted for to the Revenue Agent in Kerman
was 28,935 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. .
The Amir-i-Mufakham and the Revenue Department. —During the
progress of the Amir's expedition frictipn had gradually been growing up
between him and Mr. Lecoffre and the Revenue Agents in the districts. Tb»
latter, especially the Ihtisham-ul-Lashkar in Jiiuft, complained that the Amir
disregarded them and appointed Local Governors to whom he granted the
privilege of collecting the revenue as their chief emolument. The Amir on his
part complained that the Revenue Agents disregarded him and assumed all
the powers of independent executive officers. After his return to Kerman the
Amir frequently addressed His Majesty's Consul in this strain and accused Mr.
Lecoffre of wanting to be " Sultan" of the Province. There was just
enough in appearances to make this charge difficult for a third person to
meet. Mr. Lecoffre is a self-centered man with large ambitions and a sorne-
what narrow mind, and his vanity makes him consciQusly and even
unconsciously magnify the importance of his office and scope of his functions.
Still more difficult was it to indulge in any general defence of his SU ^?W
nates, who are mostly the creatures of Ibrahim Kham himself an undoubtea