‘Report on the administration of the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Muscat Political Agency for 1885-86.’ [‎48r] (9/120)

RESIDENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. FOR 1885-86.
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30. In October, in consequence of a quarrel with Ali-bin-Rashid and Jasim-bin-Thani,
some of the inhabitants of Wakrah belonging to the tribes of Al-bu-Ainain and Al-Jiran,
and numbering about 1U0 men, in ten boats, left that place with the object of settling else
where.
31. They ultimately settled at El-Ghareeyat in Katr.
32. In October, Shaikh Jasim-bin-Thani wrote to the Resident stating his intention of
settling at Odaid. In reply, the Resident informed him of the orders of Government regard
ing that place, and requested him to renounce his intention of going there. Shaikh Jasim
having written again about this matter, the warning was repeated.
33. Subsequently, in November, on the visit of the Assistant Resident to El-Eida, in Her
Majesty's Reindeer, Shaikh Jasim gave him to understand that he wished to submit himself
to the British Government in all things.
34. A complaint was received from some banians who had gone to Bida. that Shaikh
Jasim had asked them to pay E700 each, in refund of the fine of R8,000 levied from him
by Government. Shaikh Jasim, in a letter to the Resident, admitted his having done so, but
stated he had not yet taken the money from them. He was reminded of his promise to pro
tect the banians so long as he remained at El-Bida, and informed tbat it would be a breach
of agreement if he made the Hindus refund the fine, and that he would be held responsible.
35. In December, Shaikh Jasim sent a force to raid El-Gahreeyat. The village was
plundered and four men killed.
36. At present Katr is in a somewhat disturbed state.
5.—EARS.
37. The Administration of the Province of Ears has continued to be in the hands of His
Royal Highness the Zil-es-Sultan, the titular Governor of Shiraz to whom the Sahib Diwan
is subordinate.
38. Dissensions between the Sahib Diwan and the Kowam-el-Mulk resulted in the for
mer tendering his resignation in April to the Zil-es-Sultan. The resignation was not accepted
by His Royal Highness, and the Sahib Diwan and the Kowam-el-Mulk subsequently became
outwardly reconciled.
39. His Ma jesty the Shah announced his intention of paying a visit to Ears, and officers
were sent to the various districts to collect provisions. Owing to the bad harvest this unusual
demand on the resources of the people caused much distress and gave rise to disturbances. In
August, however, news was received that His Majesty the Shah had postponed his contem
plated visit to Shiraz. This greatly relieved the public mind and caused a fall in the price of
grain.
40. Much distress prevailed this year in the Shiraz districts owing to the partial failure
of the wheat crop. The price of bread rose high and serious bread riots occurred in that town.
Some bakers were punished by the authorities, but the persons chiefly to blame were the
influential grain-holders who withheld their large stores in hope of profit.
41. Owing to the feebleness of the government of Ears, disturbances were rife throughout
the province during the past year.
42. In April the Shahzada Muhammad Husain Mirza, who had been appointed Deputy
^ ^. Governor of Bunder Abbass and Lingah, arrived at Bushire
en route to Bunder Abbas.
43. The Persian Government steamer Persepolis, carrying three guns and commanded by
Captain Wolkowitz, arrived from Bremen in May.
44. In June the Motemen-el-Mulk tendered his resignation of the Governorship of
Bushire, and Shahzada Nowzer Mirza was appointed in his place.
45. This appointment was subsequently cancelled, and Haji Muhammad Mehdi, Malek-ul-
Tujar, was made Governor of Bushire and its districts.
46. An embargo on the exportation of grain was imposed from the 11th September.
47. In December the laying of a new submarine cable between Jask and Bushire was
successfully completed under the superintendence of Colonel Champain, R. E., and Sir Henry
Mance.
48. In January disturbances occurred at Baraz Jun in connection with the collection of
revenue from the Khans of Dashtistan, necessitating the despatch of a foice from Shiraz.
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