‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎70r] (144/470)

107
The Kuhgehl(j Lurs.
The hills occupied by the Kuhgehlu Lurs lie to the south of those
of the Bakhtians, from the valley of Mai-i-Dawud as far as Bashta,
village on the road between Behbahan and Shiraz. They hnre adjoin the
Mamasenm. Part of the tribe is under the government of Arabistan, but by
far the greater portion is under that of Pars.
Their language, customs, and religion do not differ in any material respect
from those of the Bakhtiaiis. They are divided into many tribes (20), the
chief of which are the Chahar Banichah (divided into Bah-i-Rahmet, Nuwi,
JUushmen-Ziari, Charumi), the Teibi, and the Bahmehi.
The Bahmehi numbers about 3,000 families. Kala Ali, near the source of
one of the branches of the Jerrahi, is the residence of its chief {seepage 10S).
The tribe can muster 2,000 excellent matchlockmen and a small but efficient
body of horsemen. They have the character of being great robbers {seepage 24 ).
The Teibis may probably muster about 2,000 families.
Their “ garmsirs ” and “ sarsirs ” are little more than a transition from
the foot to the summit of their mountains, and a traveller who travels through
their country along the road Isfahan-Behbahan in June encounters but few of
their camps {see part lf r , Road Report No. 4).
The Kuhgehlu tribe numbers from 15,000 to 20,000 families, and is cap
able of putting into the field about 10,000 well-armed
Strencth. / ,
men. Layard.
They are bound to their Persian governors by no ties of patriotism or
friendship; in fact, the reverse is the case. The same
0i ‘ l remark applies to the whole of the Arab and iliyat tribes
inhabiting the coast plains between the Karun and Bushire and the mountains
of Luristan stretching from Karmanshah to Shiraz. To a Persian the name
of Lur is synonymous with that of robber, and under it are included the Feili,
Bakhtiari, Kuhgehlu, Kashgai, Mamasenni, &c. These brave aud warlike
tribes, as already stated, have their own chiefs, by whom they are governed, and
who are responsible to their Persian Government for the annual tribute at which
they are assessed. So long as this tribute is paid, and the tribes do not harass
their Persian neighbours or engage in serious hostilities amongst themselves,
their internal government is not greatly interfered with {see page 137)..
The governor of these tribes, occupying the provinces of Arabistan,
Khuzistan, Luristan, and parts of Pars, is the Zil-ul-Sultan, whose seat of govern
ment is at Isfahan, the southern capital of Persia. Under him are deputy
governors, who reside at Shiraz, JDizful, and Burujird.
The Kuhgehlu {Baring, 1832).
The Kuhgehlu are divided into two great sections, viz., the Pusht-i-Kuh
and the Zer-i-Kuh. The former are subdivided as follows :—
PuSHT-I-KfjH.
Chief*.
Bawi
Bah-i-Rahmet |
Pehdasht
Chavum
Nowi
Dushmen Ziari
Sarhuddi ..
Garmsm ..
Teibi
Bahmei
Sai'huddi ..
Garmsin ..
Sarhuddi ..
Garmsm ..
The Bawi or Bowi number about
west of the Mamasenni.
,. Nejef Kuli Khan.
.. Feli Khan.
.. Hussein Khan.
... ... Muhammad Ali Khnn.
... Abbas Khan {seepage 302).
... ... Rustam Khan.
... ... Mir Ali Khan.
,,, ... Hussein Ali Khan.
... ... Muhammad Hussain Khan
... ... Jafer Khan.
4,000 families and occupy Basht, to the