Coll 28/128 ‘Persia. Tour of 12thIndian Division Mobile Dispensary in Tribal areas.’ [‎17r] (33/145)

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chiefs. But for some obscure reason, th€ Hizbi Tudeh and Kargar
have attracted an appreciable number of supporters mnongnt the lower
strata and loafers, though, by virtue of t he nd rjs&ft-stente of factories
no bona fida Kargars should exist there. This dissatisfied rabble-
are always ready to stir up trouble at the slightest excuse or
provocation.
Sardabs.
Climate Cold in v/inter, very hot in summer, necessitating
W ate r Supply . The well water is not very palatable, and
most of ^he portable water is conveyed from the Maroun River, some
four miles away. Since the destruction of the water reservoirs by
the late Shah, infestations with the Guinea worm (Draconculos
Medinenses) has been unknown. An extensive irrigation system is
reaching its completion now.
Industry . The weaving of gevehs, abbas, and gelims are the
housewife industries. A small amount of tanning is also attempted.
Behbehan is the main market for the Kuh Galu and neighbouring Arab
tribes.
Medical Facilities . The sole medical authority in the
Behbehan area is a violently o..nti-foreign assistant surgeon who cannot
cope with even a fraction of the cases. The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company
doctors at Gach and Agha Jari, or an occasional military-doctor are the
sole auxiliary resort of the wealthy. Although the Behbehanis,
especially the Sayyed elements, are fanatical Shias, we were warmly
welcomed and in great demand, often in the andaroun quarters.
B. ^ala-i-Pi1 and Qala Aru ; Are the main strongholds of the Boir
Ahmad Garmsiri, and in common with other Kuhgalu strongholds and
villages are built of roughly hewn stone and coarse mortar. They are
rectangular in shape wi th a watchtower adorned with the skulls of the
trophies of the chase. Loopholes for sniping are found everywhere
even the living rooms, stables and lavatories are riddled with them.
Each fort has one or more wells which supply tte water in times of
seige. The stairway leading to the living apartments of the Khan is
always steep, narrow and awkward to facilitate defence.
All the Kuh Galu strongholds, except that of Lindeh, were
partially demolished by the Shah, and are still in bad shape. They
are all built on an elevation or mound marking former habitations.
Inside they have spacious courtyards, dungeons and stables, with a
emallor, secluded courtyard for the womenfolk'. During raids the
tribesmen have the privilege of driving their cattle and families into
the main courtyards for safety. A few of the larger castles are
surrounded by moats and primitive drawbridges.
About fourteen miles north of Aru, on the Aru mountains, there
stand well preserved houses, a hexagonal water tank, and a fire temple
(?) at the mouth of a yawning grotto, built by a forgotten fugitive
people who reached this inaccessible cavern by a series of stone
stairways which have since crumbled,
C. Qala-i-Basht .
Is the seat of the Bavi Tribe where Malik Mansoor and his
energetic mother, Khanum Bibi, reside. The other Bavi forts at
Dugumbadan, etc. , have fallen into ruin, while this, though partly
demolished, is a sizeable place, dominating the entire Basht Plain.
D. Qala-i-Tashan .
is built to overlook the greater part of the Tashan plain. It is
a one storied fort, ruled by the able wife of the Kadkhuda who is
invariably armed and in a temper with her spouse.