File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎199r] (412/494)

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Consulate. It is not known what incident the Kadhkhuda referred to hut he ]
was probably incited to adopt this attitude by some of the Kharis who will no
doubt deny all knowledge of the matter if faced with it. In any case the
Bishop’s venture was not a success and money for the institution did not seem
to be forthcoming as he had hoped. The Bishop informed me th t reports
were very conflicting about the present dispute which is engaging the Khans
attention but he heard that Murteza Kuli Khan had collected 1,000 men and
proposed to defend his rights against Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Zafar. Dr. Roland, the Trench
Consular Agent, is travelling in Bakhtiari and has, it is said, adopted native
dress. He is dispensing medicine and treating the tribesmen free cf charge.
Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Zafar and Amir Jang are still guests of the Governor-General here and
the Khans are very reticent about the situation in Bakhtiari and disinclined to
discuss it.
Shiraz.
Considerable anxiety is being felt regarding the first thirteen days of
Muharram, for there are ominous signs of an intention to riot by the democrats,
bazaaris, fanatics, anti-British and anti-Governor-General and the rascals of
the town. Qawam-ul-Mulk has sent for 300 of his sol ars to come into town,
and on the 29th he summoned and interviewed 40 of the headmen of the
various quarters, leaders of processions, etc., and -warned them besides sending
messages to the Rozeh Khwans not to touch on politics in their recitals. His
Royal Highness the Governor-General (who is timorous by nature and
seriously alarmed) has lent 100 rifles from the South Persia Rifles for the
unarmed “ Nizam ” and issued orders for both this forces and the Governor-
General’s sowars not to separate, but to keep together during the mourning
meetings : while he has gone so far as to beg the Inspector-General to put off
the accelerated disbandment of the South Persia Rifles till after 13th
Muharram, to be ready at a moment’s notice to take military command of
order in the town, and to be hand on the telephone throughout the period, j
Owing to a small hostile demonstration against some Muhammadan Indian
clerks in the Financial Adviser’s office on the 30th August outside the Shah
Cbiragh shrine (when it is said that some of the Consulate sowars were also
badly received) orders have been issued putting the town out of bounds for all
Indian Officers and ranks.
There is a strong movement among both the rabid politicians and hangers-
on of the bazaars and Mullahs against His Royal Highness Nusrat-us-
Sultaneh: and anti-British feeling is at a high pitch. The newspapers
“ Gulistan,” “ Asr-i-Azadi ” and “Istakhr” lose no opportunity of attacking
the British and the South Persia Rifles; and the “Gulistan” of the 28th
August, following the lines of Isfahan papers, seized on that part of Marquess
Curzon’s speech referring to the likelihood of disturbances on the roads ensuing
from the disbandment of the South Persia Rifles to accuse the British of
intending to instigate raids, and insinuated that the recent visit of His Majesty’s
Consul to the Kashkuli Khans had that object in view, saying that the people
would know what to expect.
Enemies of Mirza Habibullah Khan, the Finance Agent, among his
own subordinates communicated to the newspaper editors and to Sheikh
Murteza the Mujtahid the visit of His Majesty’s Consul to the Finance
Office. Finding therein an opportunity of pursuing their malice against Mirza
Habibullah Khan, some of the editors called on him and demanded to be
informed of the subject of his discussion with His Majesty’s Consul. His
reply was that it concerned a matter previously discussed between the Governor-
General, himself and His Majesty’s Consul (referring doubtless to the arrears
of taxes in Dashtistan) w hich he could not disclose without the permission of
the Governor-General. They then went to the Governor-General, who denied I
knowledge of the subject of discussion. The newspapers “ Gulistan, ” '
“ Asr-i-Azadi *' and “Istakr” then published strong criticism of Mirza
Habibullah Khan for having received a Foreign representative at the Finance
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , and half a dozen shopkeepers w ere encouraged to complain to Sheikh
Murteza, who made a protest to the Governor-General.