'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎25r] (54/188)

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the British Government, and various attempts were made from time to
time by Persia to reopen the question. In 1882 the Persians falsely
complained that the Afghans had drawn off the water at Bandar, and that in
consequence their land was lying waste and the population was dwindling ;
and in 1884 the Amir of Afghanistan complained that the Persians refused to
evacuate land north of the flaizar, which led to a request from the Shah that
this clause might be reconsidered; bat the Viceroy of India has always
sirongly deprecated any change, and indeed stated that the Government of
India will not be answerable for the conduct of the Amir of Afghanistan if
the award be not maintained in its strict geography al accuracy. On the
death of Mir Alam Khan in 1891, his second son, Ismail Khan, was
appointed Governor of Birjand, the hereditary seat of the chiefs of Kain ;
and his eldest son, Ali Akl ar Khan, was made Governor of Seistan. The
cause of this preference for the younger son is said by some to be a quarrel
which Ali Akbar Khan had with his father; others affirm that Ali Akbar
was given the more difficult task of ruling Seistan because he is more a man
of the sword than his brother; while others again hint that Ismail Khan
was more politic in disbursing the large sums of money so essential to
obtaining high office in Persia. Their difference in age is, however, very
trifling. The only other son of Mir Alam Khan now alive is a boy of 10
years of age, called Muhammad Ibrahim Khan. Ali Akbar Khan has one son
of about the same age called Mir Masum Khan. Ismail Khan has no sons.
Ali Akbar Khan, however, did not acquiesce in this arrangement, but
immediately after the death of his father went off to urge his claim at
Tehran. Here, by judicious use of palm oil, it was arranged that he
should have the Governorship of Tabas as well as Seistan, and that he
might be allowed to depute his son, Mir Mahsum Khan, as Deputy Gover
nor of Seistan.
This boy, Mir Mahsum Khan, was Ali Khan’s only legitimate son. His
eldest son’s name is Muhammad Raza Khan (his mother was a concubine).
Mir Mahsum’s official title is “ Sartip ” and Muhammad Raza’s “ Sarhang.”
Mir Mahsum’s mother was a daughter of Sharif Khan, who played such
an important part in Seistan history, and a sister of Syad Khan.
Amir Ali Akbar Khan left his wife and brother-in-law as sort of
guardians of his son as he was too young to govern by himself, whilst
he went off to live at Tabas.
In the winter of 1898-99, the Amir tried to oust Mir Mahsum and put
in his elder brother Muhammad Raza as Deputy Governor; this led to a
fight between the rival factions, and Mir Mahsum remained master of the
situation. Later in 1899, however, the Amir recalled his son Mir Mahsum
and sent him to Tabas and took over the government of Seistan himself.
In April 1900, the Amir was deprived of his Governorship of Tabas,
and in August of that year the Sartip returned to Seistan.
As matters stand now, both the Amir and his sons, who both have
the rank of Sartip, reside in Seistan, and the Amir only rules Seistan. In the
beginning of the year the Sartip visited India, much to the annoyance of the
Russian representative, Mr. Muller. The question of the Seistan-Afghan
frontier still remains unsettled.
The Amir Hasmat-ul mulk was again given the Governorship of Tabas,
but still resides at Nasratabad. Mir Mahsum Khan, his legitimate son, was
for years the Sartip, his elder brother, Muhammad Raza, only having the title
of Sarhawg; but this year, 1902, was promoted Sartip.