Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎90r] (179/678)

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THE PRESENT STATE OF THE PERSO-BALUCH BORDER.
You asked me to prepare a note on the above subject. The notes recorded last month by
Excellency the Viceroy and yourself give a complete summary of the situation in Makran
up to the time of Major Showers' second visit to Kej and the Persian border in 1902.
I understand that you want a note on what has transpired on the border since. We have not
much information on the subject.
The Baluchistan Administration Report for the year 1902-03 contains the following
passage:—
“ Makran has been undisturbed during the year for the first time for a long time past,
and the Nazim has had time to devote the whole of his attention to the adminis
tration which has been attended with very satisfactory results
. We have nothing to controvert this statement as regards our side of the border: but
affairs on the Persian side are far from satisfactory.
I _ would first refer very briefly to the case of Muhammad Umar Khan, Nausherwani.
In Major Showers' settlement with the Governor-General of Kerman a large balance was
struck against this man for his share in the raids into Kej in 1901. The Governor-General
issued a proclamation that all who befriended Umar Khan would be liable to punishment, and
ordered his arrest if he should again appear in Persian territory. He had, meanwhile, fled to
Afghanistan. In spite of this, Muhammad Umar g'ot back to Banjan in Ladis at the end of
1902, was helped by everybody, the local Persian authorities prohibiting a native officer of the
Chageh Levies fiom proceeding to arrest him, while he was in Persian territory. He eventually
got back to Afghan territory, and is still there a free man. This incident illustrates the weak
ness, to say nothing else, of the administration on the Persian side of the border.
In April last, the Levy Duffadar A Non-Commissioned Officer in the Indian Cavalry. at Ladgasht reported that one Mirza Muhammad, the
tax-collector of the Russian Government", had arrived at Ladgasht from Jalk, with a view
to realising duty from one Kiya A deputy or lieutenant of the governor in Ottoman Iraq, with additional responsibilities as a high-ranking provincial judge. Khan, Reki, on certain exports from Jalk. Kiya A deputy or lieutenant of the governor in Ottoman Iraq, with additional responsibilities as a high-ranking provincial judge. Khan had
left Ladgasht, so the Mirza sent a letter after him and returned. Importance was lent to the
visit by the fact that Mons. deHoedt, a Belgian Customs oflicer, was in the locality, on the
Persian side of the border at the time, there was a suspicion that the visit was instigated by
him, and that it was really with a view to examining the Mashkhel-Jalk frontier, about
which it was believed by Captain Webb Ware that there was some local misunderstanding.
We sanctioned the appointment of a native agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Ladgasht, and ruled that, while Persian
Customs officials should be civilly treated, if they occasionally cross the frontier, it should be
made perfectly clear lo all concerned that, on the British side of the frontier, Persian authority
is to be in no way recognised, and no dues are to be paid; moreover, the Persian officials were
to be given most distinctly to understand that they are not competent to cross the border for
purposes connected with their official duties. We have since heard that Mons. deHoedt (in Sep
tember) intended visiting Jalk, Bampusht, Diz, Panjgur, Pishin, and Gwettar; showing that
the Belgians are taking special interest in this part of the country.
One of the most important arrangements come to between Major Showers and the
Governor-General of Kerman was that the Nazim of Makran and the Deputy Governor of
Bampur should meet every year on the Perso-Baluch border for the settlement of pending cases.
They met for the first time in January 1903, and a good many cases were disposed of. While
the meeting was in progress, certain Persian subjects of Gwettar crossed over to Jewni to evade
paying revenue due. The Deputy Governor asked the assistance of the Nazim, and the latter
sent one or two of his men with Persian officials to Jewni, to help recover the revenue. This
was at first represented as a violation of British territory; but the above are the true facts.
Secretary noted that the Nazim's conduct was injudicious, and the incident seemed to show that
we wanted something more than a Khan's Naib on the frontier.
Another important arrangement oome to between Major Showers and the Governor-
General of Kerman was the continued garrisoning of border forts by Persian troops. The Persian
Government agreed to station troops at Irafshan, but during the past summer the Nazim
reported that the Governor-General of Kerman had withdrawn the garrison, and transferred
both fort and district to the old owner, Mir Azam Khan. The latter was intimately connected
with Muhammad Umar, Nausherwani, and is an objectionable character. The effect of the
transfer of the fort to him is that this border Alsatia will no longer be closed as a refuge to
lawless characters. The Government of India addressed the British Minister, Tehran, on the
subject on the 1st September 1903, and requested him to represent to the Persian Government
the advisability of retaining the Persian garrison at Irafshan in the interests of both Govern
ments and in accordance with the arrangements come to last year.
A report in the Baluchistan Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Diary for the week ending the 16th September 1903
says that Mir Shah Jehan has completely restored the Magas Fort, which was destroyed by
Major Showers and the Governor-General of Kerman when they were on the border. He is
said to have paid the Sartip Rs. 3,500 for permitting him to do so. If true, this is another
breach of the arrangement between the Governor-General and Major Showers, and enquiries
are being made about this.
At the present moment there is open rebellion at and around Jalk. The Deputy Governor
of. Bampur arrived in Dizak to collect revenue in August last. 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. Abdulla Khan
resisted payment, and some 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. Sir Nauroz Khan's men went to his assistance.
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