File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎121v] (247/804)

Unless, therefore, all these roads are closed, which would'cause great loss
to merchants and much inconvenience and extra expense to our colony and
the general public at Shiraz, the hostile Khans are in a position to dictate
to the Governor, until they are brought to their senses.
I submit that this can only be done by some outside agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . Time has
shown that they will not mend their ways of their own free will. They have
had plenty of time to do so since last August, when they were reported to be
anxious tc make amends, but they have made no overtures to the Governor.
Thev have not even offered to pay a portion of the revenue due from them to
the Persian Government, but when asked to do so by the Governor under
orders from the Governor'General have refused in the most truculent and
insolent manner.
As it has been decided that no operations are to be taken by British
troops here, the only possible way of bringing these three Khans to their senses
is, in mv opinion, by means of an expedition by the Darya Begi, and for this
reason 1 have recommended this course, which I hope will have been approved
before this letter arrives.
A copy of this letter is being sent to His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran.
JUnclosure No. 1.
Dated the 18th (received 22nd) March 1917.
From —Zair Kbidar Baghaki, Ahram,
To—His Excellency Darya Begi 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. , Governor of the Gulf Ports, Dashti and
> Dashtistan, Bushire.
After settling the affairs, I turned attention to chastising the Baraki
delinquents, and with that end in view I proceeded to Baraki on the 4th
Jamadi I (26th February) and arrangements were made for the welfare of the
people and inhabitants.
Two days ago you wrote a letter to the Kadkhudas of Khabidu and Bunju,
threatening to seize and attach (their boats) forcibly. It seems to me that the
trouble among- them will only revive. They have written me letters in
contradictory sense. I could not suggest what reply they should send to Your
Excellency’s bogus letter, and I wrote to them an evasive reply.
I am sure that you are well aware of the savage disposition of the
T mgistar.is; while this letter of Your Excellency’s is not on a par with your
knowledge of affairs.
It is obvious that if the Tangistanis were not afraid of the bark of my
rifle, they would take to cannibalism. Your Excellency has been to Tangistan
se 'eral times with the Government forces, set fire to a few houses, and not
returned half w T ay to your camp before they were more mischievous and bolder
than ever. J have tried to kill them off, and little by little forced them to
give up their barbarous practices.
Now that they are falling hack into their wild ways and I am trying to
stop them, you out of pure obstinacy and spite are obstructing the establish
ment of order. What is the good of creating disturbances ? What right have
you to interfere in my affairs and molest people?. If you are at enmity with
me, only, why should you trouble poor subjects ? I promise not to demand any
protection fees from the people of Tangistan on condition that you will not
hold the Tangistanis responsible for the safety of inoffensive people. If I
with my 100 followers, and you with that great force which you have in view,
commence hostilities with each other, what mischief you will make and ruin a
few poverty-stricken fellows whose condition should stir to pity the most
obdurate heart.
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