File 600/1905 Pt 2 'Aden Hinterland: Future Policy' [‎351v] (190/226)

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(f\ l’ r om this post we travel 10 miles* and then Nobat Dukam, 41 j miles*,
is reached. The Sailit Billeh leading to Nobat Dukaim is Haudhabi, though the
environments styled Al Hurrikat have lately passed into Ahdali hands.
In Haushabi territory and on the banks of the Sailat Billeh I would erect
a post of Haushabi soldiers paid and armed by Government and numbering
16 men. Nobat Dukaim is itself the appanage of the Abdali ^ Sultan. We
have 60 men of the 81st Pioneers garrisoning the place, and there is a rest-camp
for troops. The latter may be kept and huts constructed. The railway’s
northern terminus will be here. The Abdali post of 16 mixed Abdali and
Subehi garrison, the old post of Dukaim on an eminence over the river liban.
These require no stipend from Government. I see no reason to retain Indian
Troops here. They do not safeguard caravans. This is not their r61e. ^ They
practically hold the rest-camp, as is the case at Al Millah, and Suleik and
furnish escorts to officers and others to and from Dthala. There is a Com
missariat Zariba here. If the troops are not shortly to work on the road
Al'Millah-wards and keep their Head-Quarters here, I would suggest the feasibi
lity of abandoning the post. A few Abdali soldiers would guard the huts or
the camping ground. The Abdali Sultan is opening bi-weekly markets at this
post Several caravan routes meet here, and we already have a native population
living in kachha huts. The place will grow rapidly with the railway here, and
doubtless Parsee merchants from Aden will set up their shops. Bail way
employes will eventually reside here.
The Haushabi post to the north of the present camp on the Sailat Billeh
is in Haushabi territory will be manned by men, to conduct cravans upwards as
far as Has Habil Ash Shams, from where the escort will be changed, and so on
up to'Dthala. A part of Arab garrisons along the route will be responsible for
the safety of the road and will for this purpose carry out occasional patrols.
Their duties are, therefore, two-fold. With regard to the
Levies I would suggest a Havaldar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. should receive Bs. 15
file Bs. 12 each.
posts:—
1 At Ma*baja 1 Havaldar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. and 20 men ...
2 Bas Habil Ash Shams 1 Havaldar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. and 25 men
3 Post on Sailat Billeh 1 Havaldar Custodian; police sergeant; jail or prison guard. and 15 men
monthlv pay of the
and
the rank and
men
at the various
Bs.
•
255
• • «
315
• • •
195
Total men 63 ... 765
I give No. 2 more men because the country here is wild, No. 3 has a
reduction because the Abdali post is contiguous,
I have not included in these numbers the Amiri post at Hardaba of
20 men, nor the Abdali post at Nobat Dukaim of 15 because these latter are
paid by their respective rulers. One day Suleikh will be surrendered and men
will he required there also.
The choice of men will he made by me in consultation with the Chiefs
concerned. I have already received many applications and the measure is a
most popular one. The Arab likes to hear he is trusted.
All will be dismounted. Dress .—At present the only distinctive mark need
be a khaki turban.
I have not included the’cost of M. H. carbines for each Levyman and 10
rounds of ammunition per carbine as a first issue.
I ask for M. H. so as to make a distinction between Government servants
and others. This mark also will be much appreciated.
In this same connection I would propose to replace the present escort of 20
Aden Troops under a Jamadar by an equal number of Arabs—all picked men.
I have nothing against the Aden Troopers who have a distinct r61e in the Hinter-
* fbese distances are from Dthala.