'Despatch by Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles and Commanding British Mission Escort in Persia on Minor Operations in Southern Persia. From 7th November 1917 to 31st March 1918' [‎2v] (4/40)

2
Dated Shiraz (Southern Persia), the 31st March 1918.
From— -Colonel E. F. Orton, Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General,
South Persia Rifles (Offir. Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles, from
27th November 1917 to 19th January 19i8),
To— Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General,
South Persia Rifles.
Inspector-General, 1. Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles,
RCies >roeeeded Shiraz on the 10th November 1917 ; embarked at Bandar Abbas, 27th Novem-
to l India on° special ber l 917 5 disembarked at Bandar Abbas 19th January 1918 ; arrived at Shiraz
duty. 19th March 1918.
Winter tour of 2. At the request of Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. K. Gough, CJ.E., His Britan-
Mulk QaWam Ul ’ Majesty’s Consul, Shiraz, and of the Qawam-ul-Mulk, I proceeded on 25th
November 1917 from Shiraz to Kharameh by motor, with Lieutenant-Colonel
Gough.
We remained at Kharameh on 26th November, and returned to Shiraz on 27th
November.
Abadeh
tour.
road
Lieutenant-Colonel Gough discussed various political problems with the Qa-
wam-u'l-Mulk, and I arranged to provide a detachment South Persia Rifles,
under Captain Butters, South Persia Rifles, to accompany the Qawam-ul-Mulk in
his winter tour to the garmsir of his Arab tribes. This detachment consisted of one
troop, 2nd Cavalry, South Persia Rifles and one company, 4th Infantry, South
Persia Rifles from Shiraz. Some of the Arab kalantars were somewhat recalci
trant, and the Qawam was of opinion that the Soulat was intriguing among the
Arab tribes, to create disturbances and to undermine the Qawam’s position.
T he provision of these South Persia Rifles troops was considered by me to be
desirable, partly to strengthen the position of the Qawam, and partly as an out
ward and visible sign that the Qawam was working in co-operation with the British.
3. Lieutenant-Colonel V. P. B. Williams having taken over command of the
Pars Brigade, the opportunity was convenient to put right the dispositions and ad
ministrations arrangements along the Shiraz-Isfahan road.
Under the Swedish gendarmerie regime, the protection of roads was mainly
carried out by a large number of small posts scattered along the whole length of the
road. Lieutenant-Colonel Hunter, when Officer Commanding, Pars Brigade,
obstructed any efforts to amend this pernicious system.
On 29th November 1917, I left Shiraz with Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, and
the following tour was done by motor car
November 29th
Shiraz to Saadatabad ..
., 73 miles.
November 30th
.. To Dehbid ,. ,,
.. 53 miles.
December 1st ..
.. To Abadeh ,.
». 57 miles.
December 2nd ..
.. q Inspection at Abadeh .. J
December 3rd ..
y. . J to Aminabad and back /
., 107 miles.
December 4th ..
., To Dehbid .. .,
., 57 miles.
December 5th ..
.. To Si vand
.. 73 miles.
December 6th ..
.. To Shiraz
53 miles.
The following arrangements were put into force :—
(i) A number of unnecessary posts of tufangchis were abolished, and others
reduced. /The pay of certain headmen of tufangchis, and their
responsibilities, were increased. It was explained to these headmen
that their primary duty was to act as intelligence agents, to report
at once to the nearest South Persia Rifles garrison the. presence and
movements of bands of raiders.
Naib I.
Naib II.
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.
Sowars.
Sowars.
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.
Tufang
chis.
Tufang
chis.
Original tufangchi strengths
10
10
5
52
34
204
Strength as reduced
8
3
21
17
92
Total reduction
2
7
5
31
17
112
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