'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎56] (87/466)

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388) . Ferhad Mirza, recently G overnor o£ Fars, brought these formerly unruly
people into subjection. The roads from Behbahan to Bushire and Sliira z Ca J
be traversed without an escort, if the traveller be provided with letters from
the Governors of Bushire or Shiraz, or from the Prince governing the province
of Fars, whose head-quarters are at Isfahan {see page 336).
The Mamasenni have always been friendly to the British and accustomed
to look to them for assistance and protection against the Persian Government
They are a fine race, with features very like the ancient Persian type. They
may be assumed to be able to put ],500 men into the field. They are Lurs
and speak the Lur dialect with local modifications. They are supposed to have
migrated originally from Seistan [see page 339).
Their subdivisions are {Baring 1682} —
Rustam ... ... ... Chief Allah Kuli Khan.
Bekshi ... ... ... „ Shaiif Khan.
Bowl ... ... ... „ Muhammed Ali Khan.
Fahlioun ... ... ... „ Mirza Hadi.
Dushmen Ziari ... ... ... „ Mnrad Kuli Khan.
Allem Saleh ... ... ... „ Ali Khan (son of Khusru Khan).
In addition, there are the following Khans, viz.,—
Baba Kban, Jan Muhammad Khan, Nasir Khan, Ashraf Khan and Gunii
Khan, son of Sharif Khan.—C.U.Ii.
The Rustami are the most powerful, and inhabit the valley of Sar-ab-i-
Siah and the adjacent hills ; also Diyar in the plains of Behram. They are
reckoned to be good horsemen.
The Bekeshi occupy the fort of Nurabad in the Sahra-i-Behram and
Tang-i-Shapdr.
The Dushmen Ziari occupy Shapur and Chenoshejan in Ardekan.
The Bowi encamp near KaFa Safid and, in the upper valley of Ab-Shur.
They are taxed to the extent of 7,000 to 8,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. per annum
{I)e Bo ie.)
Every Mamasenni village has in it a loop-holed defensive tower. Many
of them consist simply of reed huts round about the tower.
The Nasir-ul-Mulk now administers the Government of Behbahan and
Mamasenni districts.
Ali Kathir Arabs, &c.
The Ali Kathir Arabs encamp along the Dizful river above Band-i-Kir,
and on the plain between the Diztul and Karun; and the Anafigahs, on the
right bank of the Karun, below that place. The former possess many villages
and small mud forts, and are extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits. They
are divided into 19 or 20 tribes, each under its own chief, the chief of whom
represents the tribe as a whole. They number 14,000 to 15,000 families, and
can furnish a good body of irregular Arab cavalry. The original stock is
said to have come from Nedj (see page 201).
The Anafigah tribe is a dependency of Shustar; they are Iliyats, and
Anafigah Arabs. possess large flocks of sheep and camels. Iheir head
Shaikh can muster both horse and foot. Both have lost
their Arab propensities, and are now given to agriculture and a quiet pastoral
BanI Lam Arabs.
The plains to the south of the Kabir Kuh are occupied by the Bani Lam
Arabs, although formerly the plain of Masen Au between Badrai and the