News. D.No.20-F. R.No.729-F.No. 185, dated Quetta, the 10th January 1891.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No 1,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 4th January 1891.
(Uruzgan)
Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan has returned with his force from the Uruzgan and Tamazan country, having left a Resaldar with some cavalry sowars in charge at the latter place. The Resaldar, whose name is Ghulam Hassan Khan, has written to the Governor here to the effect that, after the departure of Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan, the Tamazan Hazaras rose in rebellion, and that he was wounded in a fight with them and is now besieged in one of their forts. He asks the Governor to send a force to relieve him. The Governor has accordingly despatched two companies of Khassadars, two hundred strong , from Kandahar to Tamazan.
The Resaldar's letter also states that the Hazaras of Deh Kandi too are meditating joining the Urzagan Hazaras and that the two tribes are in constant communication.
Should this report of the Resaldar turn out to be true, affairs in the Hazarajat would appear to be in a serious condition, and no settlement would be possible before the commencement of the warm season.
It is stated by travellers coming from Hazarajat that Sardar Abddul Kuddus Khan's forces have harried (robbed) the people along his line of march terribly both in going and coming.
News. D.No.62 F. R.No. 2423 F. No.819, dated camp Sibi, the 10th February 1891.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.4.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 25th January 1891.
(Tamazan Hazaras surrenders)
2. The Governor has received a letter from Ressaldar Ghulam Hussan Khan, who is stationed among the Tamazan Hazaras, stating that the Chiefs of the Tamazan Hazaras have come in, expressing their regret for the hostile attitude they had adopted, and asking forgiveness for their misconduct.
The Ressaldar adds that, as he has now confidence in their professions, he thinks there is no need to send Khassadars to his assistance. The Ressaldar seems to have sent this letter before the arrival at Tamazan of the Two companies of Khassadars sent from Kandahar.
3. The Urzagan Hazaras are said to be busily engaged in making preparations for opposition, and in strengthening their hold on the roads they commonly believe that His Highness the Amir's object is not only to subdue them and collect revenue from them, but that the Urzagan country being a natural place of strength, His Highness therefore wishes to construct forts and cantonments there, and this they think will interfere with their means of subsistence.
For this reason, they will do all in their power to resist the attempt to subdue them.
News D.No.68 F. R.No. 2552 F. No.851, dated Camp Sibi, the 13th February 1891.
From- The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To- The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 1st February 1891.
The Governor has received a letter from the Tamazan Hazaras, complaining against their ruler, Ghulam Hassan Khan, and begging him (the Governor) to appoint someone else in his place. Although the Tamazan Hazara country is included in this Dehkandi district, and is consequently within the Kabul jurisdiction, yet the Governor has sent Sartip Muhammad Mirza Khan, an officer of Khassadars, with Sayed Najaf Shah, to take charge of Tamazan, and has sent an order of dismissal to Ghulam Hassan Khan, telling him either to return to Kandahar, or to proceed to Kabul, as he likes best.
News D.No.77-F. R.No. 2988-F.No. 144-F.C., dated Camp Karachi, the 20th February 1891.
From-Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I. Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.6,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 8th February 1891.
(Unwillingness of Governor to make peace with Hazaras)
2. One of the Tamazan Hazaras has come to the Governor to beg forgiveness for the misdeeds of the Hazaras against Resaldar Ghulam Hassan Khan, and states that several of the Tamazan Hazara Maliks will follow him to Kandahar if assured of safety, and bring with them horses as presents, which is a custom of the Hazara tribes. The Governor has ordered the man to be placed in custody, but it is not known with what object. The Darbar officials think the Governor's action is due to an unwillingness to have peace made with the Hazaras, and a settlement arrived at in such an easy fashion.
News. D. No. 110 F. R.No. 169 F. No.1747, dated Quetta, the 24th March 1891.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter, No.11.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 15th March 1891.
3. The Maliks and notables of the Tamazan Hazaras have come to Kandahar to pay their respects to the Governor, and the latter is showing them great favour and courtesy. Sartip Muhammad Mirza Khan has reported to the Governor that he (the Sartip) with his Khassadars and guns has arrived at the Tamazan fort, and that the Tamazan people are submissive and obedient.
The Governor has told the Tamazan Maliks to return to Tamazan with Ghulam Hassan Khan, the ruler of that place.
Ghulam Hassan Khan is receiving instructions from the Governor as to the collection of supplies for the force which is to march against the Urzagan country under Sardar Abdul Kuddus Khan, as soon as the winter is over.
News. D.No.189 F. R.No. 8461 F. No. 3466, dated Quetta, the 2nd June 1891.
From-The Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.20,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 18th May 1891.
(March towards Uruzgan)
2. The advanced party of Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan, which is under orders to proceed to the Urzagan district, will construct a bridge across the Helmand. As the party has no materials for bridging, and wishes to effect the construction of a bridge without expense to Government, the people of the district are being called upon to execute the work. The inhabitants of the Gizu district have accordingly come to Kandahar to complain to the Governor. The Governor paid no attention. They state that Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan has marched with his force from Bamian towards Tamazan, and that the people of Urzagan intend to resist him and have made preparations to fight. They believe, however, that Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan will succeed in occupying the district, because the Chiefs of Urzagan are at variance.
News. D.No. 245 F. R.No. 10627 F. No. 4587, dated Quetta the 16th July 1891.
From-Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C.Offg. Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter,No.27,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 6th July 1891.
(Attack on Uruzgan with 40 Maund Charas (drug) and 20 Maund Opium)
2. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan has addressed the Governor saying that, under orders from His Highness the Amir, he is marching against the Urzagan Hazaras and will shortly reach Churah in the Tirin district. He asks the Governor to arrange for the collection of supplies for 10,000 men in the Tirin district as soon as possible. The Sardar adds that 260 Kharwars of grain, as well as Ghi, sheep and other articles in proportion will be required for his troops daily. In conclusion, he requests that 10,000 sets of horse-shoes, forty maunds of "Charas" twenty maunds of opium and a quantity of medicine be sent to Churah at once. The Governor is arranging to comply with the Sardar's request. He has directed the Hakims of Tirin and Dahrud to collect and store the Government grain without delay, and also to call upon the ryots to pay their revenue in grain, in kind in lieu of cash. He has further notified through the Kotwal in Kandahar that no dues shall be levied on grain and other food supplies sent for sale to the Urzagan camp. Mir Haidar Khan, the Tahsildar of Customs, has informed the people that, despite the above notification on the part of the Governor, he will not remit a single penny of the dues leviable on grain and food supplies.
News. D.No.254 F. R.No. 11018 F. No. 4813, dated Quetta, the 24th July 1891.
From- Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C.Offg. Governor- General's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.28,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 13th July 1891.
5. Travellers coming from the Hazara country report that the Urzagan Hazaras are determined to resist the force sent against them. One of their Chiefs known as Pisr-i-Alizai Khan lived on the Urzagan border. He entered into negotiations with Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan. His tribesmen received intimation of the fact and turned him out of the place killing two of his servants. If this news is true, it would appear that the Urzagan Hazaras mean fighting.
There is said to be a shrine called Shah-i-Tus in the Urzagan country in which the people place great faith.
In cases of emergency, the Hazaras collect round this shrine and distribute *Alms to the poor. If the fire of an invisible gun is heard they take it to be a good omen and one that foretells victory. This gives them confidence. It is reported that they lately heard an invisible gun.
*Alm: Could be ALAM a religious Shia flag in Black or green color refer to Imam Hussain's
(Prophet Muhammad's grand son) military fought against Yazeed in Karballa Iraq in 14 Hijri.
News. D.No. 265 F. R.No.11536 F. No.5131, dated Quetta, the 3rd August 1891.
From- Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C.Offg. Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To- The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.30,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 27th July 1891.
(Sheikh Ali Hazara Salve distributes among Pashtoon tribes of Kabul)
1. In compliance with orders received from his highness the Amir, 1,300 prisoners from the Sheikh Ali Hazara tribe have been sent from Kabul to Kandahar and distributed as slaves among the Barakzai, Alikozai, and Nurzai tribes who have accepted them. The Amir's order was to the effect that 1,300 prisoners, who were composed of 350 families, should be distributed as follows:-
200 families among the Barakzai tribe; and
50 families to the Popalzai, Alikozai and Nurzai tribes respectively.
The distribution which has been made in Kandahar, however, is not in accordance with these instructions.
In Kandahar, for instance, a man is given to an Afghan as a slave, while his wife and children are given to a second and third party.
The people think that the Amir's action in this matter is based on political motives, viz., that as the Urzagan expedition is at hand, the Kandahar people, in view of being rewarded with slaves, will of their own accord volunteer to proceed against the Hazaras if their assistance is required.
2.The shop-keepers who went to Chureh for the purpose of supplying grain, &e., to the troops under Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan, returned after staying there some days. They say that there was no sign of the arrival of the force, and that they do not think it will reach Chureh for a month or more.
They add that the Hazaras are making preparations to resist the force. They are making entrenchment's, collecting large quantities of supplies, and sending their wives and families to hill-fastness.
It is further reported that several Deh Kundi and other Hazaras, living in the neighbourhood, have joined the Uruzgan Hazaras.
News. D.No.276 F. No. 5292, Dated Quetta the 12th August 1891.
From-Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C. Offg. governor-general's Agent in Balochistan.
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No 31.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 3rd August 1891.
(March against Uruzgan)
1. Five hundred camel-loads of barley and Ghi (butter) have been sent on Government camels from Kandahar to Chureh.
These camels are to be utilised for the conveyance of 'Bhoosa' from Tirin and the vicinity for the supply of the Uruzgan expeditionary force.
The Uruzgan force will also be supplied grain from the Tirin district, while food supplies are being collected in the Wahala and Nish districts. The Government officials at Kandahar express considerable surprise at this arrangement, saying that supplies on so large a scale do not appear to be necessary for a force numbering 10,000 men in all. They speculate differently on the subject. Some say that a second force is to come to Tirin, while others think that the present force is to be left in the Tirin district as a permanent garrison.
Travellers coming from Tirin report that Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan's force has already reached Tamazan.
News. D.No. 283 F. No. 5419, dated Quetta, the 20th August 1891.
From-Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C.Officiating Agent to the Governor- General in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No 32.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 10th August 1891.
(Amir's last chance to Uruzgan Hazara)
Meanwhile a notification was received from His Highness the Amir. This was read out in open Darbar. It stated that an ultimatum had been sent to the Urzagan Hazaras, offering them one last chance of submission. The purport was quoted in the notification. It was couched in conciliatory terms. The Hazaras were invited to come in to Abdul Kudus Khan, and desist from offering him any resistance. The Amir added that the chief motive which actuated His Highness in having undertaken to subjugate the Urzagan Hazaras was the extension of British and Russian territory on either side of Afghanistan. His Highness urged that, if the Urzagan Hazaras were not reduced to submission these foreign Governments would argue that, if the Afghan Government were unable to subjugate a single tribe of Hazaras, they could offer but a trifling resistance to such powerful Governments as the British and Russian. Four copies of the notification were received for circulation in the Tirin, Dahrand, Wahala and Nish districts lying in the vicinity of the Urzagan country.
3. The Kandahar people think that the Amir's object in informing them of the purport of the ultimatum sent to the Urzagan Hazaras is that the Kandahar local sowars may be prepared to join the expedition in case of emergency.
News. D.No. 299.F. No.5578, dated Quetta, the 26th August 1891.
From-Colonel J.Bieeulph, S.C.Offg. Governor-general's Agent in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No 33,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 17th August 1891
(Forced Volunteers in war against Uruzgan through JIHAD/FITWA)
1. The Governor has received orders from the Amir, directing him to collect a local force for despatch to Urzagan. His Highness says that some Shahi sowars have been ordered from Kabul to assist in the collection of this force, and that in the meantime the Khans, Maliks and Chiefs of all the tribes should be informed of the orders to enable them to arrange for the collection of their respective sowars.
The method to be adopted in the collection of this force is as follows:-
- Wealthy people who can command the services of ten persons are to provide one man.
- People of moderate means are to furnish five men per cent, and poor people, one man in forty.
The Governor summoned all the Durani Khans and Maliks and informed them of the Amir's orders. He urged upon them the necessity for affording assistance in the furtherance of the Urzagan expedition. The Khans, who have no alternative but to obey His Highness's orders, have agreed to furnish men in the proportions ordered, and have agreed amongst themselves to Fix the pay of the men sent to Urzagan at 20 Kandahari rupees per man per month to be paid by themselves in proportion to the number of men they provide respectively. At present His Highness's orders apply only to the northern, eastern and western districts of Kandahar via Daman, Jeldak, Dahrand, Tirin, Wahala, Khakrez and Nesh. Several copies of the order have been sent to the districts concerned for circulation. The Khans of the several tribes have also been furnished with copies of the order.
The common folk, who regard the census as a source of fresh trouble, think that this order is one of its immediate results. The authorities with a view to induce the people to come forward willingly and join in the expedition, assert that it is for the purpose of a religious war, adding that the Urzagan Hazaras are not "Sunis," and as they have risen in rebellion against the ruler of Islam, it is the bounded duty of every true believer to take up arms against them.
The Governor has given out that, with the same view, a local force from the Siyah Band district and regular troops from Kabul, Turkistan and Herat have proceeded to Urzagan.
It is generally stated here that the Urzagan Hazaras are determined to resist the force sent against them. They have fortified all the approaches to their country, entrenched their position, and collected a large force which they send out to plunder the Amir's subjects.
The Hazaras of the Sipai tribe are said to have had an engagement with Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan's troops, in which several men were killed and wounded on both sides.
The Hazara ryots inhabiting the country along the line of march of Kudus Khan's force are reported to have suffered heavily, most of them having been unable to satisfy the demands of the troops for supplies have fled and joined the Urzagan Hazaras.
News. D.No. 313 F. No. 5801, dated Quetta, the 7th September 1891.
From-Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C.Officiating Agent to the Governor- General in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News- letter No. 34,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 14th August 1891
(Expedition of Uruzgan)
4. The Kandahar people work upon the Governor to re-open cases already disposed of by his predecessor. He entertains most of their applications, and passes orders on them in suppression by his predecessor.
5. The Maliks and officials, who were summoned from the several districts and called upon to furnish tribal sowars for the Urzagan expedition, have arrived, but the Shahi sowars, who received orders to organise the collection of this force, have not yet arrived from Kabul.
6. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan is reported to have reached Tamazan with a force, consisting of two regiments of infantry, four guns, 600 local sowars, 400 Uzbeg sowars and some elephants. A person, who has come from Tirin, states that the Sardar is awaiting the arrival of a second force which is under orders to join him from Kabul.
News. D.No.319 F. No. 5909, dated Quetta, the 11th September 1891.
From Colonel J. Biddulph, S.C., Offg. Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News- letter No.35,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, August 1891.
(- DO - )
Twelve Shahi sowars have arrived from Kabul for the purpose of organising the force of local sowars for despatch to Urzagan. Two sowars have been detailed to each tribe for this work. Two sowars have been deputed to Zamindawar and Pusht-i-Rud in the Helmand district, with instructions to collect the local sowars at those places.
6. Two regiments of infantry are reported to have arrived at Chureh, and Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan is said to have moved with his force in the direction of Hazaraya and Fulad to the east of Urzagan.
7. The Maliks of the Gizu and Chureh districts came to Kandahar in compliance with the Governor's summons. They were sent back to their districts the same day. While in Kandahar they said that the Urzagan Hazaras were determined to resist the force sent against them, and that they had attacked the Mulla Khels, killing and wounding several of them.
They added that several Skirmishes had taken place between the Dehzangi Hazaras and the detachment under orders for Chureh, with the result that the latter had been greatly harassed.
Little reliance however can be placed on such reports.
8. The Governor has received a letter from Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan, announcing the surrender of the Hazaras of Daya and Fulad prior to his force entering their country. He says that he has opened negotiations with the Hazaras of Sultan Amad and Busha, and hopes that they will come to terms. He asks the Governor to expedite the collection and despatch of the force of local sowars to Chureh, so as to join the regular force there and move towards Urzagan from different directions, and prevent the Urzagan Hazaras from joining the other Hazaras to whose districts he intends to proceed. The Governor has ordered a salute of eleven guns to be fired in honour of the surrender of the Hazaras of Daya and Fulad by way of a public announcement of the victory.
This has inspired the Duranis of Kandahar with a hope that the Urzagan country will be speedily and easily subjugated. The Durani Khans however express it as their opinion that the Amir's chief object in conquering the Urzagan country is to have it fortified and peopled with his own folk, and to send all his valuables there with a view to taking refuge in the country in time of need.
News. D.No.325 F. No.6062, dated Quetta, the 17th September 1891.
From-Colonel J.Biddulph, S.C.Officiating Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.36,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 7th September 1891.
(War against Daya and Paulad Hazaras)
Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan has addressed the Governor in the following terms:-
"On my arrival at the border of the Daya and Faulad country, the Maliks and Motabirs (respected elders) of the district came in to tender their submission. The Hazaras of Daya and Fulad, on hearing this, attacked and plundered the houses of their Maliks, and came out to give battle to the regular force. They first encountered the local force of the Mulla Khel tribe. The engagement lasted the whole day. Next morning I proceeded against the Hazaras with two companies of infantry, two troops of cavalry and two guns, attacked and routed them with considerable slaughter, plundering their houses and property. I hope soon to gain a complete victory over the Hazaras of Daya and Fulad. When this has been achieved, I will march against the Sarzauli, Sultan Ahmad and Ajristan Hazaras."
The Sardar continues to impress upon the Governor the necessity for collecting and despatching the tribal force from Kandahar as soon as possible to join him. The Governor accordingly summoned the Kandahari Khans and censured them severely for their lack of energy in regard to the collection of this force. He has now appointed officials of his own for the purpose, and directed Ishakakasi Dost Muhammad to Chureh with 100 sowars and a company of Khassadars to assume command of the force of tribal sowars to be sent there from Kandahar. Tribal sowars are now arriving at Kandahar in batches of 40 and 50 daily, and are being despatched to Tirin on the same day that they arrive at Kandahar. Their arms, however, are useless. Travellers coming from the direction of Chureh say that the Uruzgan Hazaras have gathered in great force, and are determined to resist the force sent against them.
2. Muhammad Yakub Khan, Achakzai, brought several Achakzai Maliks to Kandahar to pay their respects to the Governor. The Governor without showing them any kindness or attempting to conciliate them, called upon them to furnish tribal sowars for the Urzagan expedition. The Maliks saw no alternative but to consent to the Governor's demand at the time.
News. D.No 331 F. No. 6149, dated Quetta, the 22nd September 1891.
From-Colonel J.Bidduloh, Offg.Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To- The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News- letter No.37,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 14th September 1891.
(March towards Chureh)
2. The Governor has issued orders directing the collection of all the camels belonging to the Nurzai and Achakzai flock-owners for the purpose of transporting supplies to Urzagan.
4. The tribal sowars furnished by the Durani Khans of the Kandahar district for the Urzagan expedition have all been taken from other tribes called "Opreh," and have been hired for the purpose.
The Governor has asked the Durani Khans to accompany the tribal force in person. They complain bitterly at this, urging that they receive no allowance from Government, and have not sufficient means for the journey. The total number of tribal sowars collected from the villages in the vicinity of Kandahar does not aggregate more than one thousand.
5. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan has marched towards Chureh from the neighbourhood of the Daya and Fulad district. He has written to the Governor saying that he will reach Chureh in a week, and that his object in going there is to inspect the force stationed at that place. This has led the people to conclude that the Sardar was unsuccessful in his project of marching to Urzagan via Daya and Fulad, or that he failed to obtain supplies along the line of march, and has been thus compelled to proceed to Chureh. The officer commanding the infantry regiment at Chureh has written to the Governor, saying that his regiment has run short of ammunition. Ammunition has been despatched accordingly.
Colonel Nur Ahmad Khan, commanding the artillery at Kandahar, has received orders to proceed to Chureh with two guns.
It appears that the Urzagan expeditionary field force is very badly equipped.
Diaries. D.No. 342 F. No. 6298, dated Quetta, the 30th September 1891.
From-Colonel J.Biddulph, Offg. Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No. 38,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Mirza Muhammad Taki Khan, 21st September 1891.
(Uruzgan refuses to listen assurance conveyed by Sayads)
2. The Governor has called upon the Durani Khans, who are collecting local sowars, to furnish security engaging to abstain from receiving bribes from the people. He has further ordered all the Durani Khans in receipt of pensions from Government to proceed to Urzagan in person, failing which their pensions will be discontinued.
3. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan has arrived at Chureh and deputed two Sayads to proceed to Urzagan with a sealed Koran. The Sayads had instructions to assure the Hazaras that the Sardar wished nothing more than a nominal submission, and that his sole object was to be permitted to travel the Urzagan district, with his force without opposition, in which case he would undertake never to harass or molest the Hazaras in any way.
The Hazaras refused to listen to the assurances conveyed by the Sayads, saying that the Amir formerly held out a similar promise to the Sheikh Ali Hazaras, but did not scruple to depart from it, when opportunity offered, and to put them to the sword, giving their families to the Afghans as slaves. They added that they could never rely on the assurances of the Afghans, that the Sayads would be put to death if they entered Hazara country again, and that they were determined to fight to the knife.
Abdul Kudus Khan is awaiting reinforcements from Herat. The Herat force has started and is reported to have reached Tamazan.
Sickness is said to be prevalent in Abdul Kudus Khan's force.
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2009
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