‘Gazetteer of Kermanshah.’ [‎220v] (445/504)

850
ZOHAB—
District or bultjk of Zhob.
The largest district of the province of Kermansnah and formerly a
pashalik under Turkish rule.
This district is really under the authority of Mansoor-ul-Mulk, Amir
Toman 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , hut Kalleh Sabzi and Kasr-i-Shinn are excluded from his rule and
form a separate Governorship, which is now in the hands of Shir Khan
Samsam-ul-Mamalek.
The Bajlans occupy the territory which extend from Kasr-i-Sbirin
(north) to the frontier. South of Kasr-i-Shirin, extending up to Luristan,
are the garmsirs of the Kalhurs, and nearer to Kasr-i-Shirin the garmsirs of
the Sinjabis.
The plain of Zohab is practically deserted in summer. There are hut few
Tillages, some of them, such as Bishkan, inhabited by Bajlans, and others,
such as Zohab, inhabited by Jaffs.
North of the plain of Zohab is the plain of Sarkalleh, which is the
garmsir of the two branches of Jaffs who are under the Gurans. Rich speaks
of a village named Sarkelleh, 9 miles east of Zohab, but the plain has no
village in it now. North of this plain are the plains of Hoorin and Sheikhan,
inhabited by Sharafbainis. These plains extend up to the frontier.
The plain of Zohab is very well irrigated ; the greater part of it up to
Sar-i*p>l is turned into rice fields. The plain of Sarkalleh is no more under
cultivation. The plains of Hoorin and Sheikhan are very well irrigated,
and yield a large supp y of grain and rice.
The whole district is in constant fear of invasion by the Jaffs. Against
the Jaffs Kader Aga Bajlam has a post of 50 horsemen at Bishkant
a kal leading from the north of the plain of Zohab to the plain of Sarkalleh,
Aziz Leg Sharafbaini receives monetary subsidies from the Government of
Kermanshahto maintain 100 horsemen, and Aziz Khan Bajlan is posted at
Karatu with 100 horsemen.
The Bajlans und r Persian rule barely number 200 families.
Their chiefs a'e Aziz Khan at Kuretu and Kader Aga at B shkan. Kader
Aga and Aziz Kh in are constantly at feud one with the other. Kader Aga’s
son was killed iu March last. To prevent the frequent recurrence of fights
and effusion of blood the present Governor of Kermansbah has removed Kader
Aga from Bishkan to Knr tu, thus separating the two rival families. The
Bajlans are Sunnis.
^ ShavafLaini.—ThQ Sharafbainis, whose chief is Aziz Beg (his residence
being at Hoorin), number some 1,000 families. They speak the Jaff dialect
and are Sunnis. They are probably a branch of the great Jaff tribe. They
say that they came from Mosul to Persia during the reign of the Suffavi
monarchs.
Sinjahi. Under Shir Khan, Samsam-ul-Mamalek. Their garmsirs are
^ ween Kasr Shiiin and the Turkish frontier, their yeilaks north of
Mah.das )t plain. The real Sinj ibis number barely 500 families, but with
other nomads who have joined them at a later period and with the sedentary
population of their villages, their number is said to reach something like 4,000
families, t hey are of the Aliullahi persuasion. They supply 200 horsemen
t> the Government. J J
Their keshlaks are at Agadahg Kattar and Bagcheh, near Shahrban.