'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎182r] (368/706)

KIRMlNSHlH
351
When the Shah passed by here on his way to Karbala in 1871, a huge peti
tion, complaining of the oppression of the Governor, was presented to
him, but was not answered. In 1885 this province formed part of the
immense territory under the governorship of Zil-us-Sultan.
After Kirmanshah was taken away from the Zill-us-Sultan, it was given
for some years to the highest bidder, with the result that the people have
been greatly oppressed.
Since the last few years the town seems to have entered upon a new era
of prosperity, which will no doubt increase in the near future.
It has suffered severely from plague, cholera and famine. The plague
which ravaged the town in 1830 is said to have decreased the population
to 12,000 souls.
1903 .—In 1903 the Governor of the province was His Highness
’Abdul Husain Mirza, better known as Farman Farma. He was pre
ceded by ’Ala-ud-Dauleh, who by his energy did a great deal for the tran
quillity of the province and for the embellishment and cleanliness of the
town. At that time one could travel all over the province of Kirmanshah
among the tribes, without fear of being robbed or attacked ; so great
was the dread of the Governor’s name amongst these usually troublesome
tribes.
Up till 1902 the British Government was represented by an Agent in
Kirmanshah and latterly this was Haji ’Abd-ur-Rahlm, Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. -ud-Dauleh.
He was banker, merchant and land-owner and had an annual income of
about £10,000. All his wealth he inherited from his father and brother.
The father was an extraordinarily powerful and capable man, and prac
tically governed Kirmanshah. The Governor had generally to dance to
his piping. His position with the late Shah, the Zil-us-Sultan, and the
authorities in Tehran was unassailable.
In March 1904 a British Con ml was appointed to Kirmanshah, as a set
off against the Russian Consul. He was to be “ Consul for Kirmanshah,
Malayar, Hamadan and Kurdistan”.
1910 .—In July 1910 a great wave of anti-Russian feeling wai raised in Kir
manshah by the fact that a Russian Cossack shot a Persian, and the Russian
Consular escort was unable to leave the Consulate for some days. About
the same time the Kalhurs under Baud Khan threatened the town.
In March 1911 two attempts were made to break into the British Con
sulate, and the local authorities were obliged to post troops.
On July 31st, 1911, Salar-ud-Dauleh, brother of the ecc-Shah, Muham
mad ’AH entered Kirmanshah in the name of the ex-Shah, with 2,000 men,
being joined so it is said by 4,000 local levies. He also occupied Hamadan
and on September 11th defeating Amir Mufakham, Bakhtiari, captured
Sultanabad, and advanced to within 50 miles of Tehran. On Septembei
28th, 1911, Yprim, Chief of Police, and Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Bahadur, Bakhtiari, defeated
the Salar at Zarand and captured 13 guns ; and again at Burujird, on Nov
ember 18th, they defeated him severely, but he rallied and on December
13th he occupied Kirmanshah, the Governor taking bast in the British
Consulate.
1912 .—On February 8 th Government troops re-occupied Kirmanshah, and
the prince fled, but a fortnight later h e re-captured the town with the aid