File 1341/1921 Pt 1 'Khorassan Intelligence Summaries 1921-1922' [‎509v] (666/1080)

10
Karatagan was reached on the 23rd. The garrison numbered 1,200, including
400 Russians, 400 Naoghais, and 400 Semirechians and included the I5th (?)
Cavalry Regiment and 4 guns.
A deputation of officers consisting of Baranov, Tarakhanov, Vassili Stepanov,
and Gikvankov waited on Colonel Ahmad Khan to induce him to bring about good
relations between the Bolsheviks and Slier Muhammad Kor.
The Afghan party with the Bolshevik deputation left for Aulia Valley—where
Sher Muhammad Kor has his headquarters--on the 2nd Juiy. They were held up by
the rebel outposts whereupon Wali Ahmad Khan wrote to Sher Muhammad Khan
asking for an interview. The latter sent aii officer, Qurban Tarsun, to escort the
party to h Im where he had his headquarters, a day’s journey from where they were
first held up. They were met by a mounted escort and band and during the whole
journey to headquarters saw troops along the road.
They were the guests of Sher Muhammad Khan from the 7th to the 10th July
during which time they explained the object of their mission and appealed to the
rebei leader to make peace and not to continue unnecessary bloodshed. The latter
asked for three days to consider his reply but on the 11th he gave it It was to
the enect that he and his councillors, Kara bai, Nur Muhammad, Vassiii Kamhiht
Kara Khwaja, Karbai Masruh, and Haji Kamal refused to make peace. Thev
explained they had been dishonoured, their religion violated, and their means of
livelihood destroyed. Friendship with the Bolsheviks meant friendship with
deceit, blasphemy, and injustice. Rather than make a pact with such things thev
would give their lives away. For them to accept Bolshevik friendship would mean
for them a deprivation of arms, the neglect of their beloved and sacred religion
and other abuses and demerits which they refused to accept.
i anot ^fJ attem P t at reconciliation on the next day the 19th
at which Sher Muhammad Kor quoted the case of the Amir of Bokhara and thp
sent state of his Khanate where Bolshevik laws had replaced relSustws
rrh w e ,n f 7 ‘T e thelr husbands - He assured then, he did not propose
to lead that sort of life for it was not acceptable to him. ^ ^
Hn «. i„, with St.,,,, Russia ags^/thl lll“h*,"“
Sher Muhammad replied that British rule was just and never interfered with
religions which was quite contrary to Bolshevik methods of dominion Bokh J k
ofrhr^u^vs" 110 rtermf0rdeVaStatl0n ’ deCeit ’ badfaith ’ and overthrow
The discussions were continued on the 13th W WoU Am j i
rently only resulted in acrimony between the two disputants^ ^ Vhan bUt appa '
Sher Muhammad Kor enumerated his force as follows
His own command i o A nn i.
• * horsemen, 4
Nur Muhammad
Mohi-ud-din
Kara Khwaja
Haji Kama!
Akhbar Jan
Tala-ud-din
Shakar
Khan Khwaja
Yuldash
8,000
9,000
8.500
7.500
8,000
6,000
5,000
7,000
4,000
guns.
4
5
3
3
4
2
5
2
m.
m. guns.
killed before he would make
He swore that every one of the above would be
peace.
TheAfghanpartyleftKaratagf^nthe^TthJulyV'T uece ( f ful in their mission.
August. A review of 2,400 troops was held in Wuf