"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [ظ‎‎٨‎٣] (٦١٦/١٧١)

56
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF
ravages quite diplomatically by appealing to the people of Baho, promising not to
take'more than the usual legitimate tax paid annually by each village. Some trust
ed him, but the majority fled to the hills and adjoining districts, while a good many
took refuge at Dasht Eiver in British territory. On the 26th November Ahmed
Khan visited the Assistant Superintendent in camp and asked permission to follow
his own subjects into British territory. Communications on this subject were ex-
changed between the Residency and the Honourable the Agent to the Governor-
General in Baluchistan, with the result that it was decided to resist his entry and
when he saw that permission to enter British territory would not be granted he
redoubled his predatory energies, and by the end of December he had looted cattle
to the approximate value of Rs. 15,000.
The valuation for live-stock accepted by Syed Khan was as follows
Rs.
Camels .,.>••••• i 50 each.
Cows and bullocks . . . . > • • . 25 „
Donkeys .... 20 „
Goats and Sheep ........ 2 „
An instance, which came under notice, may illustrate Ahmed Khan's methods
and treachery. While at Dashtiari Chil, the Assistant Superintendent was sur
prised to find that the inhabitants of a small but prosperous village of " Latis"
were contentedly carrying on their daily work as if nothing unusual were happening
in the district. On enquiry they informed him that Ahmed Khan had already
collected their tax and promised not to trouble them further. Shortly after Ahmed
Khan appeared again, and shattered their faith in him by demanding a second instal
ment of tax. The village then thought it expedient to move, with their remaining
belongings, to British territory, but unfortunately they encountered Ahmed Khan
on the ^Dasht road. He was accompanied by a small escort, and on the Latis
refusing to pay further extortions, a fight ensued, in which the villagers lost two
men who were shot, and all their remaining property was confiscated. In this
manner Ahmed Khan eventually managed to collect the necessary sum of
Rs. 10,000, but in the performance of his wild endeavour to please Syed Khan he
has made many bitter enemies amongst the inhabitants of Baho.
Mir Ashraf Khan is a weak man, but he has the advantage of being well liked
and respected by the people of Baho, whereas Ahmed Khan is feared and hated
throughout the district. I hear Baho subj ects are gathering round Mir Ashraf Khan
to assist him in regaining his former position. For the past three months there
has been a determined scheme on foot to murder Ahmed Khan, and considering
the havoc he has recently created in the district, I am surprised that this has not
already occurred. Comparing the two men, from our point of view, Ashraf Khan
is undoubtedly the better man. He is of a better family ; he treats his subjects with
great consideration ; he is very willing to assist us and always ready to do what he
is told; he has a good record and has no propensity for looting, and moreover, his
most valuable asset is, that he has the whole of the population of Baho behind
him.
If Ahmed Khan retains the Chieftainship of Baho, law and order can only be
maintained by the sword and the district will always be in a state of revolt.
The southern portion of Baho is a salty plain entirely unfitted for cultivation,
Products of Baho. but tlie soil improves a few miles north
of the telegraph line. The crops are chiefly
barley, jowari and dhall, and although the rainfall was good, practically nothing
was sown owing to the disturbed state of the country.
P. Z. COX, Major,
Officiating Political Resident in the Persian Gulf*