'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART II: L to Z' [‎57r] (118/988)

LUB—LUR
676
ment, and attaching some small value to the occasional gifts and the com
plimentary titles which the Governor is able to bestow on them. The chiefs
of different tribes are constantly meeting in conference or communicating
with each other by letters, to settle the mutual relations obtaining between
their respective tribes ; and each acts in the character of a sovereign.
There are no bonds of union or common action between them, except such
as are created by the temporary pacts and agreements of their chiefs made
under pressure of the dangers and requirements of the hour. The chief places
his superior mental equipment at the service of the tribe. He schemes
against the enemies of the tribe and forms aRianees against them, with
regaid to its safety and the chief necessity of its existence, e.g., grazing.
The tribesmen on their part hand over all questions of internal discipline
to their chiefs and back his. arrangements by force of arms. The chiefs
collectively are styled either Kha»dmn (plural of Khan) or Hazarat
(plural of Huzur) ; while in the singular the term Bats or Buzurg is in use.
The Lur word Baf is sometimes heard ; while the prefix Mir or Mia indi
cates a connection, with a chief’s family. Below the chief’s come the
heads of a family or village called Kadkhudi,. Tjpon these men, under
the authority of their chiefs, devolves the duty of collecting the taxes, both
local and imperial, and they are further responsible to their chiefs for the
good order and loyalty of those under them, rhey may resort to any
means they think proper in raising the tribute, and may imprison 01
maltreat those under them: but they are accountable for its collection as
well as for the services in war time to the chief of their people, fihe chief
himself accounts with the Government and is left to raise the tribute
through his Kadkhudds. There are, however, notable exceptions, which
are more of less recurring, of a disregard of these obligations ; such as
in the cases of several of the Bala Girieh tribes. The most pro
minent offenders of this section of late years, and at the present time, are
the Dirakwand, who appear to have broken away altogether from their
allegiance to the central authority ; and who have distinguished themselves
by the committal of many outrages on travellers, even of high position.
The most recent case is that of Colonel Douglas, Military Attache at fehian,
who, when, travelling in November 1901- with Captain Lorimer, the British
Vice-Consul at Ahwaz under the direct escort of the Dirakwand chiefs, had
their camp rushed and their tents looted. Both officers were badly wounded
in the meUe which ensued ; and in this condition, and stripped of all then-
effects, they were turned adrift to find their way back as best they could
to Khurramabad. The powerlessness of the Persian Government aga>r.«t
those lawless tribes is well-instanced by the fact that no efficient steps,
beyond a parade of a dummy army, were undertaken for their punishment.
It may be assumed, therefore, that the authority of the Persian Govern'.r
outside the narrowest limits is merely nominal, and entirely dependent
on the good will of the chiefs. The only attempt at any local militaiy foice
was centred in what is called the Amarai regiment. In earlier times the
Tihran and Dilfan tribes each supplied a regiment, but some 40 or oO years
ago they were amalgamated and the Amrai regiment was formed composed
as follows :—
400 men from the Tihrnn tribe.
300 men from the Dilfan tribe.
100 men from the Tulabi tribe.
3 B 2