File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎503r] (653/1080)

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greater part of the Bolshevik army is composed of Muslims.
When this letter reaches you, read it. Its contents will grieve our enemies and please our
friends. On receiving it start at once and join us. We will tell you all other news when you
V arrive. Salutations. J
Dated, 19th Zekad (26th Jaly).
Seals are affixed of : —
ASHOR BAI, SON OF KHOJEND BAI.
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. MUHAMMED QURBAN BAI.
KHAL VERDI, SON OF KAHKU BAI.
GHUL MUHAMMED.
GOKLAN BAHADUR.
VERDI, SON OF KAHKU BAI.
SHEIKH KHOJAIN, SON OF KHAL.
MUMTAZ,
QULI KAMAR, SON OF TAJ MURAD,
Apologia of Muhammad Taqi Khan..
The following are extracts from a pamphlet written and distributed by the above : f 1
‘ £ I have been in the Army for fifteen years and during that time have spared neither
exertion nor endeavour in the performance of my duty. I have ever been a loyal and faithful
servant of the Crown and without recourse to nepotism or other unfair support have risen
to the rank of Sarhang, having commenced my career as a second naib,
‘ ‘ My present rank, awarded to me in February of the present year, has -but now been
confirmed. The slowness of my promotion is beyond belief, having regard to the rapid
advancement of my juniors. Nevertheless, I am happy, even proud, to,think that my
promotion to various ranks has never been the result of intrigue, partizanship, or other
irregular method, but has always been the reward of my merits which the authorities have
been forced to recognize,
“ I am a Muhaj'r (emigrant). After the war of Hijri 1243 my ancestors left the
Caucasus, being unable to tolerate life under a foreign rule, and established themselves in
Persia where they became well known.
“ I was born in Hijri 1309 (1892) and studied in the Luqmania School, Tabriz, proceed
ing later to the Military School at Tehran where I studied for five years. I had yet a year to
complete my course and therefore unwillingly complied with a summons to take up a com
mission of second naib in the Gendarmerie.
“ After two years I was promoted to Sultan but my occupation lapsed owing To the
failure of the military forces to exist without funds.
At this time I was second in command of a battalion in Kazvin. In six months I received
only two months’ pay, half of which I distributed amongst my men who were dying of starva
tion. I keep their receipts with me to this day. Where is my pay for that four months ?
Who has retained it for himself 1
My subsequent service included an appointment as instructor and interpreter at Yussaf-
abad and, later I was sent as a company commander and interpreter to Hamadan, At that
time the Hamadan road was unsafe and even the American, Colonel Marmil, was unable to
subdue the robbers that infested it. The Russians found their trade interfered with and
threatened to bring in their own troops to destroy the robbers,
I remained in this appointment a year. On several occasions I performed the duties of
a sentry throughout the whole night, so dissatisfied was 1 with the men on guard. The Swedish
officers who treated all ranks with great fairness recommended me to the General for promo
tion which was not awarded me on account of my youth. I was made to go through a year’s
course to qualify for promotion and received a gold medal for my services in Hamadan! There
was still a month to go for the completion of this course when I was ordered on service to Yazd
where we were engaged against Baalvar. I was wounded in my first fight but refused to
leave the field until I had handed over to my .successor. After recovering from my wound