'REPORTS ON MINOR OPERATONS IN SOUTH PERSIA UNDER Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E, C.M.G., from May to July 1918. GENERAL STAFF INDIA' [‎60r] (132/194)

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question gave much anxiety, but by one means or another supplies came in.
Money too was terribly scarce owing to the dislocation of trade. The enemy
cut off most of the irrigation channels, but wells had been dug, and their
number was now increased. The chief danger was a rising in the city, many
buildimrs of which commanded the cantonments, although at long range. A
rising would however have stopped the How of supplies. There were several
cases of cholera, many being fatal.
The enemy was holding the low hills at the western end of the Shiraz
valley, from which the villages lay at their mere} 7 They also held the garden
quarter up to about 1,200 yards from the fortified perimeter, on the range to
the north they had Sangars.
The untrustwortbiness of the South Persia Rifles was a cause of deep
anxiety, and arrangements were made for placing Indian troons among them.
A large number of Persian officers and men were gradually dismissed, and a
careful watch was maintained. The strain on the British officers of the South
Persia Rifles was intense.
27. Action of Ahmadabad, 16th June .—As the enemy had come within
easy striking distance, it was decided to send out the column to inflict heavy
punishment, and then to retire. This was effected with complete success,
the Kazerunis being driven out of the valley, and the (^ashqais, who came to
the rescue, suffering very heavily. Our casualties were relatively light. As
however the column returned to the perimeter after the action, it was considered
to be a defeat by the gullible Shirazis. The Saulat wrote in to his partisans
that only one groom had been killed by the British, whose losses had been
very heavy. In reality our losses w r ere 5 killed and 21 wounded. The enemy
losses w r ere estimated at 200 killed and 300 wmunded.
28. Garrisoning of the city —On the 17th June the position in the city
was very bad. Hostile demonstrations against the South Persia R fl.es and
Indians culminated in attacks Tne Mullas issued written orders that it waslaw 7 -
ful to attack anyone wffio had dealings with the British Bands of men and boys
paraded the streets shouting “ Said nr" > and everything pointed to a serious
rising.
At night, by agreement w T ith His Highness, the Madrassah Khan, Shsh
Chiragh, and other key positions were seized by South Persia Rifles’ detach
ments without fighting. A strong Caraoamerai near the Kazerun Gate was
also occupied by Indian troops, who subsequently took over the chief key
position.
The South Persia Rifles in Shiraz, at this time, were incensed against the
populace, who had begun to loot their houses and property. The results of this
action were extraordinary, the being reopened, and the hostile element
disappearing. A few arrests were also made. It nas evident that by Hie action
of Ahmadabad and the seizing of the key positions in Shiraz, the enemy had
definitely failed to effect their purpose. We w r ere warned of desperate attacks
to be made by night, but they never materialized.
29. Break-up of the enemy .—On the 19th June the telegraph line was
finally cut. On the 21st June the Consul issued a proclamation to the Qashqais
that the British had no quarrel with the Qashqais, but only with Saulat. The
Earman Earma also wrote letters to the various kalantars. Muhammad Ali
Khan, Kashkuli, a brave fighting chief w ith 60 ) followers, and the bitter enemy
of Saulat, had also come in, and had agreed to join the Earman Earma. Einally,
after many intrigues, Ali Khan, wffio w r as holding the road to the north with 500
sowars, made terms, and joined the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ehtesham, Muhammad Ali Khan,
and the Qavvam, the latter taking the leading part in the negotiations. On the
2nd July the negotiations were concluded and embodied in two agreements:
(A) Between the Qavvam and Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ehtesham and his brother to the effect
that the Qavvam would help the tw r o brothers in every way and obtain assurances
from the British not to molest them but to deal through the llkhani’, (B)
between Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ehtesham and Ali Khan who swore to work together and to
carry out their duties as llkhani and Ilbegi, respectively, with the Q.avvam as
arbitrator and helper. As already mentioned, the Earman Earma was afraid
to commit himself to the appointment of the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ehtesham as Ilihani, but