‘REPORT ON THE MISSION TO SEISTAN, 1897’ [‎14r] (32/134)

Abdur Rahman, it is said, gave the 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. 4,000 Kabuli rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. and 1,-00
for his son as annual stipends, and asked Sharif Khan to remain with him at
Kabul which the 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. did, the Governorship meanwhile being bestowed on
the elder son Syed Khan, who had remained at Khal-i-Fath.
On the death of Sharif Khan at Kabul, the Amir sent for Syed Khan, who
was also treated 'with favour on arrival at the Kabul Court and was offered the
Governorship of some out-of-the-way place near Kafiristan : it being a policy of
Amir Abdur Rahman never to bestow any hereditary appointment in order to
possess himself of proprietary rights, and stifle local tribal influence which might
be an opposing factor in his own administration on the frontier.
Syed Khan acceded to the Amir’s request and accepted money from him
for the transport of his family to his new appointment, but on return to Khal-
i-Fath he simply transported the lot, bag and baggage, into Seistan, preferring to
remain near his own people rather than at the other side of Afghanistan in a
doubtful appointment.
It must he remembered Syed Khan’s sister had been married some years
previously to Ali Akbar Khan, who was before his father’s (Mir Alum Khan)
death Sartip of Seistan; consequently he claimed a refuge in Seistan from his
own brother-in-law.
Ali Akbar treated Syed Khan favourably and gave him some lands and
the administration of villages at Khwaja-Ahmad, making him adviser also to the
youn 0 * Deputy Sartip and bis mother before proceeding to Tabas to take over
the Governorship there. This trust was duly carried out till Birjand influence
ousted him —vide ante at page 10.
Syed Khan is a middle-aged, active man ; he was summoned to Tabas soon
after my arrival in Seistan to relieve 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. Purdil Khan, consequently I did
not see as much of him as 1 would have wished. What I did see I liked ; his
frank and pleasing manner and voluntary information on matters then affecting
British interests could not fail to appeal to me. He has some 200 footmen and
a few sowars; some of my men being of the same tribe, we had a welcome
when amongst them.
Muhammad Ali Khan, the young brother of Syed Khan, who had been in
Kabul with his father, awaited some time the return of his brother Syed Khan,
but hearing he had taken refuge in Seistan, Ali Khan fled also. He then
came to Peshawar vid Jalalabad, where it is reported he was kindly treated by
the Deputy Commissioner Mr. Merk, but being unable to secure any appoint
ment or political pension, he returned to Persia hopeless and proceeded to
Kerman.
On application to Persian authorities he was given the Governorship of
Ladis bv the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). -Firmai at Kerman and is now established there.
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. Khan Jehan Sanjarani, son of 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. Ibrahim Khan, late Gov
ernor of Chakansur, lives at Saidak in the 7th Nawar beyond the Rud-i-
Parian.
Ibrahim Khan held Chakansur when Amir Abdur Rahaman ascended the
Kabul throne, but on his death the Amir did not, as is his custom, allows
the father’s rights to the son Khan Jehan. Khan Jehan fled into Seistan and
was offered land which he at first refused; he came thence to Quetta and was
treated as a hostage for some time there by Sir R. Sandeman. He received a
kbillat from tbe Agent to the Governor-General, Baluchistan, but no political
pension being sanctioned for him by the British Sirkar, he returned to Seistan.
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. Ali Khan Sahroni of Pulgi (since deceased) at that time represented
to Alum Khan, Governor of Ghain, that the Taoki tribes, who had always
been under the auspices of the Sanjarani tribe in Seistan, were now without
a 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. since the death of 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. Khan Jehan’s father who had settled in
Afghan territory at Chakansur; that now, misfortune having driven his son into
Seistan, he might as well be considered 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. of the Seistan Taokis.j
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. Ali Khan being an influential chief at the time, the authorities
accepted his representations and Khan Jehan who was known to be a shrewd,
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