Letter No.1725 of 1869 from Colonel Robert Phayre, the Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sind, Jacobabad, to Sir William Lockyer Merewether, the Commissioner in Sind [‎16v] (19/68)

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durinoe tlie many years in which I have been acquainted with him, has
never failed to offer the best advice to His Highness the Khan, in all matters,
and to his firmness and loyalty towards the British Government, and influence
amongst the Chiefs and people of Beloochistan, I mainly ascribe the peace which
prevailed on the Sind Frontier during the worst period of the Indian rebellion,
and when the Khan, then a boy of 15. years, was being urged by Persian
and Affghan intrigue to side against the British power and create disorder
on its frontier.
10. 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. Moolla Mahomed, the Chief of Sara wan, and the head of the
llysanee Tribe of Brahooees, fled in 1865 from Beloochistan to Candahar, owing
to his implication in a plot, the object of which was the assassination of the
present Khan, and in which the late 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. Taj Mahomed was the Chief insti
gator; this latter Chief, the most powerful in Beloochistan had, on a former
occasion in 1862, more suscessfully led a rebellion against his master, in which
the latter was severely wounded by his cousin Share Dil Khan, who was elect
ed Khan, and his victim sought refuge close to the British border; the usurper
did not long retain his position after. For a time being made the tool of the
Chiefs who plundered Kelat, he was murdered in the Gundava Pass by some
men of the Zehree tribe, of which 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. Taj Mahomed was the Chief, and who
at the time was close by, being beyond a doubt again the prime mover.
11. The present Khan then again resumed his legitimate position, but it
may well be understood that he placed little confidence in his Chiefs, more
particularly in 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. Moolla Mahomed and Taj Mahomed. As before stated,
these two Chiefs again leagued against him, but this time he was beforehand
with them, and the Zehree Chief was seized and confined, whilst the Chief now
under notice fled to Candahar. These occurrences happened in the month
of February 1865, and from that date up to the time of the events now under
report, Beloochistan enjoyed a period of profound peace.
12. In August 1867 Taj Mahomed died at Kelat while in confinement,
and reports were spread of his having been assassinated at a feast, but these
were utterly false ; and other means were employed to cause the death of the
Chief my most minute enquiries have failed to eclucidatc. One thing is how
ever beyond a doubt, that a more desperate intrigue or a greater traitor did
not exist in any native Court in Asia, and so long as he remained at large.
His Highness the Khan's position could never have been sale.
13. As reported in the month of November last, 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. Moolla Maho
med returned from Candahar, with the view of again creating a rebellion ; but
his former companion was no longer ready to aid him, and in the mean time
His Highness the Khan had done everything in his power to strengthen his
position. I knew of this Chiefs intentions, and having a regard for him, which
I had gained from frequent intercourse on sporting excursions in ^ie Belooch
mountains, where I had on many occasions partaken of his hospitality, T warned