'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎560v] (1122/1386)

2
The Amir continues to visit the Kizilbash community at Kabul with
marks of his displeasure.
His Highness has been making overtures to the independent Jagis and
Waziris. The Governor of Khost lately made an attempt to collect tribute
from the people in the Gumal. In reply their headmen stated that they consi
dered themselves as the Amir’s subjects, but were paying tribute to the British.
On plea of seeking advice from the British officials they managed to effect their
escape. The news-agent expresses some doubt as to the entire truth of this
statement.
The Faolad and Dayah Hazaras are in revolt, and arrangements are
being made by the Governor of Bamian for the despatch of troops against
them.
The notorious ex-Naib Ko tic al after undergoing severe tortures has been
released on bail in order that he may arrange for paying up the remainder
of the fine against him.
•
An arbitrary and puerile order issued by the Amir was very nearly
the cause of a mutiny amongst the troops at Kabul. His Highness proposed
severely fining and dismissing from the Army about 6,000 men for the
crime of smoking ‘ charras ‛ but was compelled to revoke the order and take
means for pacifying them.
The new British Agent left Peshawar on the 6th of June to take up his
appointment at Kabul. It is to be hoped the Amir will treat him with less
enmity and suspicion than he showed towards Colonel Ata-ulla Khan
towards the end of his stay.
In the Bajaur country hostilities are reported to have broken out again
between Umra Khan and the Khan of Nawagai, assisted by the Shamozai.
The Swatis also are reported to be ready to join the latter. Umra Khan has
defeated similar combinations before now, and will probably hold his own.
On the 21st May all the British troops were ordered back from the Samana.
The tribes are quite submissive and have agreed to our terms, i.e., to recognize
the crest of the Samana as the British boundary. No Urakzai villages are to be
allowed on it, and all land south of it is to pay revenue.
With regard to the Black Mountain a fully representative jirga of the
Akazais came in on the 24th, and two days afterwards the jirgas of the Has-
sanzai and Akazai were interviewed.
They professed inability to carry out the first condition, the surrender of
Hashim Ali, and this condition was then altered to their pledging themselves
to maintain his banishment or surrender if he should return, British troops
remaining in their country until they give us proof that they are strong
enough to carry out these conditions unaided. The remaining conditions re
mained as before. The Mada Khel, who held back in the beginning, have also
fully accepted these terms.
Simla,
12th June 1891.
A. T. H. NEWNHAM, Lieut,
10th Bombay Light Infantry,
Attach^, Intelligence Branch.