From the secretary to the government op india, foreign department to the resident in kashmir

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Wrote a letter to Mohamed Wali Khan, and arranged for Jemadar to go to Gilgit and on the road see the Mehtar Jan and do his best to, make him the altered condition of things and if possible, to induce his to come to Chitral and make friends with Nizam-ul-Mulk.

It is impossible seeing the Mehtar has been acknowledged and
tulated by the Government of India, that Mohamed Wali should be supported
any longer in Yasin. The boy is intriguing energetically, but it is hoped with out much success. He remains haughtily allot and has no communication of any sort with Nizam-ul-Mulk.

Nizam-ul-Mulk has written in dignified terms to Mohamed Wali, removing him from the Governorship of Yasin, but offering friendship if Mohamed Wali will come to Chitral and make proper submission.

The people of Chitral will not believe that. Nizam is really their Mehtar, while Mohamed Wali holds Yasin in defiance of his wishes.

It is most important that the Mehtar himself as well as his subjects should know he has all the powers of Mehtarship and must consequently set him self to work to reduce his territories into some thing like order, He is already, as a first step in this important direction, considering whom he shall appoint as Governor of the different districts.

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Extracts from Chitral Mission diary, dated Chitral, 6^th February 1893.

Wrote a letter was sent to Umra Khan to open negotiations about the Nursat boundaries. News has been received to-day that Mohamed Sharif Khan is in the ..................... and Sultan Kheyl country; all the people there are said to be emhusiastionry favorable to his cause. He has occupied four forts, and appears to be acting against Umra Khan with a good deal of energy.

Safdar Khan has written to Mohamed Sharif Khan that now is the time to make a determined effort to turn Umra Khan out of Dir, as he well take care that the Jandol forces are fully occupied on his frontier and Umra Khan will not be able to go east to face the danger threatening him from the Dir border.

The Chitralis are jubilant at the turn affairs seem to be taking against Umra Khan, while that indomitable man is said to be in a very irritable state of mind.

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Extracts from Chitral Mission diary, dated Chitral, 7^th February 1893.

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Afzul and the long arm of the Government of India which rewards or punishes at a great distance from India. Minawar the Hakim of Latkho, was exceedingly depressed throughout the interview, and exceedingly polite to Mr. Robertson on bidding him good bye. Everybody else seemed cheerful and happy.

Just before leaving, the Mehtar whispered he intended to send over his brother to see Mr. Robertson on very important business. Consequently at seven O clock Ghulam put in an appearance, accompanied by Bahadur Shah. The object of this visit was to talk about Warshagam. The conversation was prefaced by a message front the Mehtar, saying that he could not sufficiently express his thanks for all which had been done for him. In all matters he had determined to follow Mr. Robertson's advice, and even if the advice tendered were altogether distasteful to him self in still he would follow it loyally and faithfully. His delegates were then ask what was advisable concerning. Yasin Should the Mehtar send a headman with 120 followers to rule the country, or one of his younger brothers with 7,00 or 800 fighting men? Mr Robertson replied thanking the Mehtar for asking his opinion and for offering to defer to his wishes on a subject about which the Mehtar, as ruler of the whole of Chitral, could, of curse do as he chose. This consideration shown by the Mehtar was particularly gratifying to Mr. Robertson, since the latter, owing to the presence of British troops at Gupis, was much interested in the peaceable settlement of affairs in Yasin. He would not attempt to give his advice in such a question off-hand and without full consideration; but if the deputation would return to morrow about midday, if that time would not pit it to inconvenience, the would, to the best of his ability, having in the meantime thought over the Mehtar carefully, give the Mehtar his opinion. Ghulam agreed to this, and after uttering many compliments went way.

[DEMI - OFFICIAL]

No. 1208, dated Sialkot, the 29th March 1993.

From— Colonel D. W. K. Barr

To— Sir Mortimer Durand, K.C.I. E., C.S.I.

[DEMI - OFFICIAL]

NO. 482-R, dated Gilgit, the 25th February 1893.

From – Lieutenant-colonel A.G. Durand, C.B.,

To – Colonel D.W.K Barr,

I Forward you copy of a demi-official of Robertson's, minus a paragraph about postal arrangements.

My demi-official he refers to was about the hospital establishment in Chitral.

The outlook is unsatisfactory—very much so in some ways but I think we still have the game in our hands, and that, if we are not afraid of the responsibility, Chitral is and will remain ours.

There are only two courses—one is to recall the Mission, remove our Agent and hospital establishments and see chaos supreme in Chitral, only to be reduced to order by Russian or Afghan annexation, under whatever specious name it may be disguised; the second, to keep the Mission in the country, to strengthen, our hold on it by garrisoning certain points, and to insist on decent rule. The people arc with us, the Adamzadas against us, and I have not the faintest doubt that we should be successful in maintaining peace, and in establishing a firm hold over the country up to the Hindu Kush.

It must be remembered that to abandon Chitral to anarchy would at once be taken as a sign of weakness by our enemies all round. It would mean Indus Valley and other troubles. It is a case of grasping the nettle it may cost us a little money to keep some hundreds of men in Chitral but what will it cost us if the Russians get in, or even the Afghans.

I have heard to-day that Jemadar Rab Nawaz Khan has arrived in Punyal, accompanied by Mahomed Wali's mother and 80 followers. I nothing of Mahammad Wali's intentions yet, but by sending his people here he shows where he means to come if flight is necessary.

[Demi-Official]

No. 14, dated Chitral, the 12^th February 1893.

From - G.S. Robertson, Esq. C.S.L.,

To – Lieutenant-colonel A.G. Durand, C.B.,

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Chitral. It is first necessary to find out if Government will consent to hold Chitral, at least for some time to come, in much the same manner that it now hold Hunza and Nagar for, if it will not, no one could be sent: herewith safety.

In spite of the good news of Sher Afzul being in close arrest, and in spite of the bracing effect this intelligence had upon Nizam and his friends, the situation is still very little changed.

Nizam is hopelessly unpopular with all classes. The little intelligence he ever possessed he is stupefying with drink and charas. He is perpetually in Durbar, but accomplishes nothing. Men have been sent out in all directions to collect rifles, but none have yet come in. Nizam's orders are not obeyed. He is treated with the contempt, it must be confessed, he deserves.

The Mission is absolutely unpopular with the Adamzadas, although they wreath their faces in smiles and are hopeful about tips. I am trying to win over the most trouble some, but any success in that way must be merely tem­porary. They of course perceive that our remaining in Chitral is quite in­ compatible with their regaining that authority in the land they possessed before Aman-ul-Mulk's time. Even Ghulam Dastgir and Kohkan Beg dislike our being here. There are not five men amongst the upper classes who would cordially accept us.

Every one believes we have taken the country permanently, thanks to the sheer imbecility of Nizam-ul-Mulk. The great majority of the people are with us, for, as you may well imagine, they have no wish to se the Adamzadas tri...................................................................

There is a story going about believed to be ................................ (name concealed) said openly to the Mehtar. Are your ...................................... English have taken the country?" Nizam replied. It is ......................... do?" The other rejoined: "Why do you not come to terms with your ................. and turn them out!' On this Nizam remained silent, probably in a charas dream. For Nizam himself one can neither feel angry nor pitiful. He has not character enough to inspire any strong emotion, and is quite incapable of being a strong friend or .......enemy.

We treat him with very possible respect, and most carefully abstain from even appearing to interfere vim the arrangements of the country in any way I speak of him to his friends and enemies alike, precisely in the way I used to speak to them of their real Mehtar, Aman-ul-Mulk., But he will not assert himself. The Adamzadas say (not .to me of course) that he is such an "ass" that he cannot tell them to sit down when they go before him that if they are placed in an improper position .in the Durbar, he cannot recognize the fact and invite them to be seated according to their rank.

His one idea is to be treated, respectfully and do absolutely nothing except indulge himself in his own wretched Way.

We cannot enter into agreements with a man who will concede and anything and everything on the instant without thinking what he is doing or caring for the result. He was declared openly that whatever. I might ask him he would agree to, even if he disapproved of my request entirely.

We are by no means personally unpopular, even with those who wish to se us out of the country, while I think Nizam ......................... for me personally as it is possible or such a feeble ................... any one.

I do not think, in spite of what if said to the contrary, that he is in personal danger as long as we are here but he would not remain in single day after we marched away.

It seems to me we have only two alternatives. We must either rule the country ourselves through Nizam justly and generously and so attach the great mass of the people to our interest no very, difficult matter if would seem or we must go back, knowing that all our past work has been given in vain, and all the subsidies lavished uselessly, and with the certain conviction that the country will grow daily more and more hostile to our interest that Chitral will become an Afghan province in reality, but with the Amir able at all times to disclaim all responsibility for its doings and that it will become mixed up with the Amir's quarrels with Umra Khan or the Russians and be liable to reprisal for both armies.

If Government would agree to hold Yasin effectively, 300 men "at Ghizar, 150 at Thayardast, 100 at Yasin about 25 at Dahimal. and at Roshan, an increase of the Mission escort by 50 or 70 men might be sufficient but at first it would be more prudent to hold Mastuj with 100 rifles, and double that num her at Drasan or thereabouts. This would give time for proper forts to be built and levies raised, when the Chitral garrison might be greatly reduced.

We have continued hints from friendly disposed people that we should be 071 our guard even now, but more particularly in the spring, and that Afghan fanatics may possibly come up the valley sooner or later with hostile intentions. I do not know if there is any real danger of our ever being attacked; Hut I am too old a man to despise precautions. My lengthy report will shortly be ready; but I am delaying to finish it, so that all the opinions and all the suggestions made shall be as well and carefully considered as possible. Yet, at the same time I am most anxious that Government should know my views without any unnecessary delay.

From all accounts, Umra Khan's enemies are pressing him hard. News brought by a Hindu to-day from Dir is to the effect that Mahomed Sharif Khan is in possession of several forts, and is repairing one or two others on the road from the Sultan and Painda Kheyl countries to Dir. But all news unfavorable to Umra Khan has to be received with considerable reservation. For the Chitralis are to man hostile to his interests and readily believe what, they hope to be true.

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No. 768, dated Gilgit, the 3^rd-6^th June 1893.

From – Lieutenant-colonel A.G. Durand, C.B.,

To – Colonel D.W.K Barr,

I send herewith copy of an interesting ...........................

That in the rather sinister remarks as to the possibility of Nizam..... death made by his well known enemies the wish was is of course, not to be doubted. The natural and violent deaths of the last few months have accustomed the Chitralis with the idea of tempering their despotism by assassination; but I hardly thin I come if the Mission is withdrawn and Sher Afzul reappears is about as certain as anything's can be in Chitral politics.

That in the present state of the Amir's mind Sher Afzul may he ............. any moment is also likely. The honours paid by the Sipah Salar to Sher Afzul on receipt of his orders from Kabul nous donnentd penaer.

If Nizam were to die suddenly, there is nothing form but to ........... of the boys, Amir-ul-Mulk or Suja-ul-Mulk and to keep the ......... till he can take over the reins. Under the circumstances, it ............ best thing for us.

Mahomed Wali declined to come here with the Jemadar beingthereto by Raja Akbar Khan of Punyal. The latter bad been in here for some time ostensibly to see me and to shoot really to find out if there were any chance of my giving him Yasin. Finding there was none and hating with a deadly hatred he has advised Mahomed Wali to remain in Yasin refuse coming here.

Mahomed Wali sent his mother; a daughter of Aman-ul-Mulk's and a numerous deputation of Yasinis to protect his loyalty and to ask that he should be kept as Governor of Warshgam.

I have got rid of the deputation, host of whom are but half-hearted supporters of his. Have sent them back to their homes, promising to write to Robertson on the subject, and telling them that I must discuss it with Mahomed Wali to whom I have sent an invitation to come here.

I have also sent for Akhar Khan, and shall let him down quietly. Like all the Chiefs up here, he has nothing to do but intrigue, and lie enjoys it thoroughly. So long as his stupid little intrigues don't affect me I take no notice; but he has been rather "too busy riding" lately, and will have to be gently decanted if ho don't take care.

I hardly think now, after feeling the pulse of this deputation, that there will be trouble with Yasin. A good many headmen, as you know, are with Nizam the people look to us and I doubt their joining Mahomed Wali in resisting Nizam's appointed Governor. But we shall have to be very careful and it is possible we may have to advance to Ghizr to prevent fighting and the consequent great danger to the Mission. I should in this case-occupy Yasin also at once.

I hope, however, that the boy will'-not give himself away by any folly. I think I Lave the head Maulvi Pir, the Shah-I-Kalan, and Mahomed Wall's most influential adviser, the Eshan-I-Hazrat, with me at the moment. The former has, I believe, quarreled with Nizam, and is afraid of losing his houses in, Yasin and Ishkuman, so looks to me for help and will, I trust, influence Mahomed Wali. The latter is a great friend of the Jemadar's, so we ought to get our way.

The Jemadar is pretty cheerful still admires Afzul, who was, he says, endued with ail the qualities which make a great ruler a most astonishing judg­ment! He evidently had a very bad time in the Sher Afzul reign. When he was summoned to the latter's Durbar, he was given a place amongst the servants. He remains here until Mahomed Wali comes, and will either go to Chitral with the boy or without him.

[Demi-Official]

No. 15, dated Chitral, the 15^th February 1893.

From – G.S. Robertson, Esq., C.S.I.

To – Lieutenant - Colonel A.G. Durand C.B.

The one factor so difficult to estimate in the present situation .............. personal one, the amount of real success the Mission is attaining will at the within the rest two months.

I have taken a great deal of trouble with the rascally Lutko here ............. he are supposed to be as dangerous as they are undoubtedly influential are three in number, Shahzada Lais, the Mughli Pir, Minawar the Singale and Nayab the Zundre.
............. l............... .Chitrali .................. .................. ............

At present noting .................... the Mission by their speech at any

wrinkled old scoundrel, who takes the trouble to assure me of his personal affection for the Mehtar. The other two simply observe that I put Nizam in Chitral and am now keeping him there, and that they are consequently devoted to me. This is a view of the question greatly to be discouraged. The speakers, however, are almost certainly insincere, whatever they say.

Minawar at an interview yesterday, while talking about affairs in general, and his gratitude to me in particular, suddenly seized my hand firmly, and, looking me straight in the face, observed, "If the Mehtar dies we shall all come to your at once." This seemed to me a most unpleasant, almost sinister remark, for, even supposing there is no regular conspiracy to kill Nizam - and I do not think there is - yet, it shows how familiar the headmen are with the idea of his being killed. Minawar's remark could have had no other meaning than this, for Nizam is strong and healthy, quite unlikely to die shortly from natural causes.

All I can do in the way of protecting his is to tell every one, his friends and his foes, that I am his friend for two reasons firstly, because he is the ally and sincere well wisher of the Government of India, and so is officially my friend; and secondly, because I have known him so long that he is no the friend of my heart also. This is generally believed for Nizam's reception at Gilgit when he was a fugitive, his salutes and general entertainment are all put down to my warm personal feeling for the wretched fellow.

If I add to the general impression by words which suggest my entertaining a sentiment for the Mehtar which he is certainly incapable of inspiring me with, the suggestiofalsi must be putdown to an act of piety—an attempt to keep that life in Nizam's body which, his enemies are so anxious to drag out of it.

If the Mehtar were really killed, I do not know what I should do. Amir-ul-Mulk has gone off to Jandol. The other little Mehtar Jao, by the Asrnari wife of Aman-ul-Mulk, is a very small boy, eight years old. There is no one else. If Government would accept the responsibility of ruling the State for the elder of the little princes, and then hand it over to him when he was of an age to manage for himself, in that case there would be no difficulty of any kind. However, threatened men live long. I hope this will also be the case with Nizam, and that we shall not have to consider the probability of his being murdered.

A very curious thing ties just been told me. None of Nizam's money and valuables are kept in the fort. All we in the care of Wafadar Khan, who has hidden them somewhere in the hills property. This is unsatisfactory news for it indicates that Nizam's confidence in his position is still by no means assured.

He shows little sign of improvement. Some few rifles are being collected and brought in, but his chief efforts are being directed secretly to find out who are the possessors of the property looted and distributed by Sher Afzul and his followers.

Nizam is scorned for his inability to talk well, and for his general want of tact and incapacity.

He is said to sit in a dreamy manner in Durbar, sometimes not understanding or answering questions. This may be attributed, perhaps, to his night's potation and charas smoking.

I have found it necessary to send him Rs. 5,000 as a kind of loan to be paid back when he gets the subsidy money. He was entirely without money or pretended he had none and so could not reward people who have being faithful to him.

He was trying to start ........................ ....................... .............................. ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... .

Chitral rules in a curious way. He makes himself feared, or he tips liberally Aman-ul-Mulk and Afzul did both. This man cannot do the first, and dislikes doing the second. He was delighted at getting the money, and I hope he will expend it, and judiciously.

When Yasin is settled and the road is quite safe, I shall probably want some more money. I think this necessary expenditure might well come out of the Mehtar's subsidy for last year.

Mahomed Wali is playing the fool to the top of his bent, I particularly warned him to do nothing to increase the feeling of enmity the Mehtar has against him, yet, in spite of all I said, he has again irritated Nizam-ul-Mulk wilfully and foolishly.

Nizam sent some men to bring, from Yasin some "Doms" and personal servant. Mahomed Wali not only refused to let the people go, abused and ill-treated the messengers, and turned them out of Yasin country.

I hope the Jemadar will be able to bring the boy to reason; otherwise he will be constrained to seek refuge in Gilgit or elsewhere and then must not be allowed to return to Warshagam. In the latter case think it would be advisable to move troops to Ghizr as soon as the road is fit for such a movement. This would be for maintaining order, but I hope Government will them to be kept there permanently.

With a good political officer in Yasin, a man like Younghusband or Stewart, such a movement should be the reverse of unpopular. I only hope it may be accomplished, for the opportunity is a most excellent one, while its moral effect on Chitral politics would be very great.

I have information about the Amir's relations with Sher Afzul, which, if true, is highly significant. It is to the effect that when Sher Afzul fled to Bailan he was received with great distinction and honour, but told he must remain at that place until orders had been received from the Amir concerning him.

He remained at Bailan twelve days, when permission arrived for him to pursue his journey to Asmar and Kabul. At Asmar he was received by the Sipah Salar in person, some distance from the place, accompanied by a hundred sowars. He was then met by a cavalry regiment, and all the troops in the garrison turned out to present arms. A salute was also fired in his honour.

The Amir is not the man who delights to honour those he is angry with; so, if this news is true, it seems to indicate that His Highness is by no means so annoyed with Sher Afzul as he would lead people to suppose.

The point is that the Afghan Commander-in-Chief showed all these honours to Sher Afzul 'after he had received the orders from Kabul.