File 3280/1913 'Persia: Bushire-Shiraz road; Swedish gendarmerie; conditions on the Bushire-Shiraz road; tours of Shiraz consul' [‎68v] (141/332)

On the morning of the 16th, I visited the Tul-i-Kuhak fort, and then rode
on to Kumarij where the gendarmerie column arrived during the afternoon.
They halted here on the 17th, whilst Major Uggla and his officers conducted
a reconnaissance of the country as far as Konar Takhteh. At this place he -
met the Kalantar and the Agent of the Shaikh of Mohammerah, and explained
to them his conditions regarding the taking over of the road : that is to say,
firstly, the immediate cessation of rahdari; secondly, the surrender to the
gendarmerie of all towers and caravanserais; and thirdly, the payment to the
Khan of the allowances already arranged by the Governor-General. Major
Uggla returned with the impression that these terms would be accepted, but
that it would not be advisable to insist upon the immediate surrender of all
towers. These anticipations were fulfilled, and the gendarmerie occupied
the Konar Takhteh plain the next day without any fighting, leaving one or
two towers in the possession of the local tufangchis.
I myself returned to Kazerun on the 18th, as it seemed unnecessary for me
to accompany the gendarmerie any further. All was quiet at Kazerun when
I passed through that place, although a certain anxiety existed as regards the
whereabouts and future movements of Ali Muhammad and his band ; but the
situation was on the whole satisfactory, and in every respect favourable to the
gendarmerie.
It was, therefore, with the greatest astonishment that I learnt, on my
arrival at Shiraz on the 22nd, of the event which had just taken place at
* Sec enclosures to Serial Nos. 149,152 and 153, Knzerun, regarding which I have sub*
ante. mitted full telegraphic reports* to Youf
Excellency. As mentioned in those reports I attribute these recent
unfortunate occurrences, firstly, to the escape of Ali Muhammad, and
secondly, to the misconduct of the Persian gendarme officer and his men at
Kazerun. This man seems to have behaved in a most injudicious and
highhanded manner after the departure of the main column, disarming
harmless villagers, and permit ing looting and other abuses in the
Shapur and neighbouring villages. I have already had occasion to bring to
Major Uggla’s notice cases of misconduct on the part of the gendarme
officers and non-Commissioned Officers in charge of posts on the road, and have
urged upon him the necessity for the Swedish officers exercising a more
constant and vigilant control over their Persian subordinates. I regret to
have to say that in spite of the orders issued by Major Uggla (who is, I am
convinced, sincerely anxious to put a stop to all irregularities) many
abuses still continue, and I am the recipient of numerous complaints from
muleteers and others. This st c ate of affairs arises, I think, chiefly from the
inexperience of the Swedish officers in dealing with orientals and from the
disinclination of some of the younger officers to hear any complaints against
^heir men; and it will no doubt be rectified iu course of time.
A copy of this despatch is being fomarded to the Secretary to the Govern
ment of India in the Eoreign Department and to the PoliticalKesident in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Enclosure JSo. 2. .
List of block-houses constructed, or under construction, by the gendarmerie on the road
between Shiraz and Kazerun.
Between Chenar Rahdarand Khan-i-Zinian—
1. Pul-i-Seyum.
;2. Burj-i-Deh Shaikh (existing Burj repaired and strengthened).
3. Tul-i-Duzd.
4. Shoa-es-Sultaneh.
Between Kban-i-Zinian and Dashtarjin—
5. Karagatch bridge.
6. Foot of Sineh Safid pass,
7* Burj-i-Timuri, summit of Sineh Saad pass (repaired and strengthened).