Hazara Nation

Year 1891-1892 (5)

News. D.No. 362 F. No. 5194, dated Quetta, the 26th August 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I., C.B., R.E.,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 Takki Khan, 20th August 1892.
5. Mauladad Khan, Hakim of Farrah, had collected a large number of tribal levies for the Urzagan expedition. These levies, however, while on the road to Urzagan, dispersed and returned to their homes.

10. The Governor has returned to Chureh where he is encamped. It is reported that he is making preparations to coerce the Ghizu Hazaras. It appears from the statements of recent arrivals that the affairs in Kamsan and its districts have not yet been settled

Translation of a copy of a letter from His Highness the Amir, addressed to General Sardar Abdulla Khan, Governor of Kandahar, and Brigadier Muhammad Sadik Khan*
. You are aware that I had issued orders for the collection of a regular and tribal force from all parts of my dominions. The disloyal Muhammad Sharif (son of the Wali of Maimena) had also been ordered to collect 3,000 sowars and 2,000 foot from Maimena. The tribal force was under Muhammad Sharif, and the regulars under the command of Rahmat Khan. The combined force was to march to Yek-i-ulang. Brigadier Rahmat Khan at the head of the regular troops and Muhammad Sharif with the tribal levies left Maimena on the 13th Zilhaj (8th July). The following day the traitor, Muhammad Sharif, marched with his force to Pul-i-Chiragh; and, as he himself as will as all those under him were of low birth, evil disposition, and untrue to their salt and faith, they formed a conspiracy and broke out into revolt. They accordingly proceeded against Maimena. General Ghaus-ud-din Khan, who had fortunately received intimation of the plot, succeeded in securing the arsenal and making fast the gates of the town. He then ordered the Khassadars and regular troops under him to go out and engage the rebels, accompanied himself by the Chahar Yari Cavalry Regiment and the artillery. In the first engagement he succeeded in dispersing and putting to flight the rebels. In the second and third engagements also he was victorious. In the fourth conflict, he inflicted a crushing defeat on the rebels, killing and wounding to the number of 3,500. The rest of the rebels had no choice, but to make good their escape. The traitor, Muhammad Sharif, fled with a handful of followers in the direction of Rig, where he tried to procure some food. Meanwhile the Afghans of Murghab, having heard of the affair, collected 600 or 700 strong and, together with the regular troops, attacked Sharif, who was compelled to fly, without having obtained any food, towards Rignawad. This place is a desert and is destitute of water, and it is improbable that Muhammad Sharif will ever leave it alive. General Ghaus-ud-din Khan then succeeded in restoring peace and order, and in reassuring the inhabitants. Thank God that the country has now been cleared of the existence of ill-disposed persons, and that peace and tranquillity reign anew. As it appeared desirable to inform you of the circumstance, I have written to you to make you aware that the evil-disposed people of Maimena have received a well merited punishment. If God pleases, the infidel and traitor Hazaras will also soon be extirpated, and by the blessingaith, the turbulent and rebellious will be disgraced and annihilated. The Commander-in-Chief, Ghulam Haidar Khan, at the head of the victorious army of Turkistan and a large tribal force, has left Mazar-i-Sharif for Yek-i-ulang, and at Dara-i-Suf heard the news of the revolt of Muhammad Sharif He (Ghulam Haidar) resolved to march against him at Maimena, but when he reached Akkirkh, he heard the news of the victory gained by General Ghaus-ud-din Khan. After a halt of three days at Akkirkh, and having assured himself that peace was restored, he marched for Yek-i-ulang where he is now encamped. The Chiefs and notables of the latter place, who had been permitted by me to leave Kabul, have now entered their own country, and are rendering service to Government. Amir Beg of Yek-i-ulang, who had heard of the revolt at Maimena, collected a force, and proceeded to Anar Robat. Colonel Muhammad Umar Khan with the regular troops attacked the rebels, and utterly defeated them, killing a large number of them. The Colonel has returned with his force to Bamian I have thought it proper to inform you of this victory also.



News. D.No. 376 F. No. 5302, dated Quetta, the 2nd September 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I., C.B., R.E.,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 Takki Khan,
27th August 1892.

2. The Governor has summoned four tehsildars and four writers from amongst the Kizilbashis of Kandahar, with a view to appointing one tehsildar and one writer in each of the four districts of Nuri, Khojakeh, Chureh and Khalj. These tehsildars are to reassure and induce the Hazara refugees to return and settle down in their respective districts. This policy, on the part of the Governor, appears to be ill advised, for the appointment of two officials in each district will not be a heavy charge upon the inhabitants. The immediate advantage of the system will be that the presence of two Government officials in each district will probably obviate any future rising on the part of the inhabitants, or at any rate, should any revolt be meditated, these officials could give timely notice of it to the Governor.

3. The Governor is reported to have moved towards Ghizu; at present he is encamped near the Kotal-i-Koshkul. This pass is very difficult to cross in the event of its being held by an enemy. If the Governor should succeed in passing through the Kotal (without opposition) it will be easy for him to enter Ghizu. It is not certain, however, what attitude the people of Ghizu will adopt towards the Governor.

4. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan's force is encamped at Shaweh. The Sardar himself is reported to be suffering from dysentery and palpitation of the heart; while his troops are prostrated with fever. The Hazara rebels had entrenched themselves in a pass about two miles distant from Abdul Kudus Khan's camp. Sardar Fakir Muhammad Khan, the Hakim of Kalat, at the head of the tribal levies, attacked this entrenched position. The Hazaras, however, left the entrenchment's without offering any opposition, and betook themselves to another pass. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan ordered Sardar Fakir Muhammad Khan to return to camp without occupying the pass. The latter has taken exception to the orders given him by Abdul Kudus Khan, and asserts that, had he been allowed to advance, he would have achieved a victory over the rebels. Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan appears to have thought that the entrance of the troops into the pass would have been attended with considerable danger. Above all he had no orders from His Highness the Amir authorising him to advance into Urzagan.

5. It is given out by the Darbar officials here that orders have been received from the Amir this week, directing the combined troops to move against Urzagan. Written instructions as to the plan of operations have been furnished to all Commanding Officers concerned



News. D.No. 388 F. No.5450, dated Quetta, the 9th September 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I.,C.B., R.E., 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 Takki Khan, 3rd September 1892.

A letter has been received this week from the Governor of Kandahar, together with twenty-one heads of Hazaras of Ghizu. A salute of eleven guns was fired at Kandahar in honour of the victory. The purport of the letter received from the Governor is as follows:-

"With a view to possessing myself of Ghizu, I posted my troops in the village of Aka Muhammad near Kotal-i-Kashkul. The Ghizu Hazaras having heard of my intention, and seeing that resistance was impossible, evacuatey Kotal-i-Kashkul which they had fortified, and fled to Ghizu. Thence they betook themselves to the hills. I moved with my force into Ghizu, and then ordered a portion of the regular troops with two guns and a few levies to attack the refugee Hazaras in the hills.

An engagement ensued in the evening, and continued for several hours. Three hundred men, women and children of the Hazaras were taken prisoners, while a great number were killed by the troops and the Ghazis.

I have also ordered an expedition against some other Hazaras who had made good their escape from Ghizu.

Several Hazara Chiefs, however, came in and asked to be forgiven. I accordingly pardoned them and presented them with khilats. Arrangements have also been made for the accommodation and comfort of the family of Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan" (the later having left his family behind at Ghizu on the outbreak of the rebellion at that place).

The Governor concludes by saying that this victory will undoubtedly lead to the complete subjugation of the whole Hazara country.

2. The shop-keepers and traders in Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan's camp have sent word to their agents at Kandahar not to send on any more merchandise as they say that the Sardar's force is on the eve of departure.



News. D.No. 397 F. No.5656,dated Quetta, the 16th September 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I., C.B.,R.E., 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 Takki Khan, 10th September 1892.

3. The Governor has returned with his force from Ghizu to Chureh. Cholera is raging in his camp. It is said that 1,700 cases occurred on his march from Ghizu to Khalili, a place in the Chureh district. The tribal levies are reported to have spread all over the Tirin district. A strange event is reported to have occurred, and the story is current among the inhabitants of Kandahar, having originated from arrivals from the Governor's camp.

The story is as follows:- Muhammad Nur Khan, Alikozai, commandant of the tribal levies, had captured a Hazara woman at Khalj. He took the woman to a ravine in order to be with her in private. His followers awaited his return for some time, but seeing that he did not appear, they went to look for him and found to their surprise Muhammad Nur lying on the ground, killed apparently by his own sword. The Hazara woman was nowhere to be found.

They accordingly concluded that Muhammad Nur Khan had been killed by the woman. On the following day another Hazara woman was found in the possession of a cavalry sowar. The followers of Muhammad Nur reported to the Governor that the woman, who had murdered Muhammad Nur, was with a certain sowar. The Governor ordered the woman to be arrested. She, however, denied that she was the murderess. Despite this the Governor and the Khans with him decided that the woman should be burnt alive to avenge the murder. A fire was accordingly lighted, and the woman, bound hand and foot, was cast into the flames. The woman had scarcely been burnt when a storm arose, and it became too dark to distinguish one object from another. After a while the storm subsided, but about 300 of the soldiers were all at once struck down by cholera and died shortly afterwards. The troops at once marched from that place for Chureh, and numerous cases occurred on the road. The terror amongst the troops was so great that the dead were left unburied. The occurrence has produced such consternation in the camp that the tribal levies have dispersed throughout the Tirin district.

The Governor is now encamped in the Chureh district.

4. All the doctors available in Kandahar were collected and sent nolens uolens to the Governor's camp. Medicines are also being despatched daily. The cavalry sowars, who had escorted the 70 loads of ammunition for the Governor's camp, have returned to Kandahar. They have, in compliance with the Governor's orders, deposited the ammunition in Kila-i-rakh in the Tirin district. These sowars confirm the report of the outbreak of cholera in the Governor's camp. The Governor had received orders from His Highness the Amir to attack Urzagan, but he has been obliged to defer all action owing to the presence of the epidemic in his camp

5. It is rumoured here that Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan has made preparations for an onslaught upon Urzagan, but the whereabouts of the Sardar and how far he has advanced are not known here.



Diaries.D.No. 415 F. No. 6024, dated Quetta, the 29th September 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, D.C.S.I., C.B., R.E., Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.39,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 23rd September 1892.

1. A messenger arrived from the Governor's camp, bringing news of the Governor's entry into Urzagan. A salute of 21 guns was fired in honour of the occasion. No particulars of the victory were forthcoming in the Governor's letter, as he merely wrote to announce his entry into Urzagan. It has, however, transpired from the statement of the messenger that Generals Mir Atta Khan and Sher Ahmed Khan have attacked Urzagan from the direction of Sultan Ahmed and Sirzawali, and several fierce engagements had ensued. Most of the Urzagan Hazaras had proceeded to oppose General Mir Atta Khan's force, and had left the position of Kotal-i-Gulkhar, in the direction of which the Governor was encamped, almost unoccupied, as they did not expect any attack from this side on the part of the Governor. The latter, however, received information of this, and hastened to march against Urzagan. The garrison at Kotal-i-Gulkhar being too weak to offer any opposition to the Governor, some of them took to flight and the others surrendered.

It is further stated that General Mir Atta Khan has also defeated the Hazaras, and has entered Urzagan with General Sher Ahmed Khan. The Hazaras have almost all of them removed their families to places of hiding in the mountains. Negotiations are being carried on with the refugee Hazaras through the Amir's officers, and efforts are being made to induce them to return to their homes.

Should the above news prove to be authentic, the subjugation of Urzagan is now an accomplished fact. Those Hazaras who have betaken themselves to their mountain fastnesses, must now eventually tender their submission.

Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan is still encamped with his force at Shaweh. His not having moved towards Urzagan indicates the Chillakur, Shaweh and Bubash districts have not yet been completely subdued.

2. One hundred prisoners, men and women, Balochis from Chageh and the Seistan boarder, have been brought in chains to Kandahar in order to be sent to Kabul.

4. The inhabitants of Zamindawar are greatly inconvenienced by the demands made upon them in connection with the supply of provisions for the Urzagan Expedition.



News .D.No.433F. No. 6232 Dated Quetta the 8th October 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I, C.B.,R.E,. Agent to the Governor General in Balochistan.
To The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News Letter No, 40.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Mohammad Taki Khan, Dated 30th September, 1892.

4. Letters have been received from the Governor's letters which are received by post, there has been no communication between Urzagan and Kandahar this week. This is due to the fact that no traveller is allowed to proceed between these two places without a passport. The road also is not considered to be safe, as the Hazaras continue to plunder travellers.

The inhabitants of Kandahar and its vicinity are still held liable for the payment of the tribal levies, and are also compelled to provide substitutes for any men who may desert from Urzagan. It is not believed in Kandahar that Generals Mir Atta Khan and Sher Muhammad Khan have entered Urzagan.

5. It is reported that Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan was affected in mind by his late illness, and that His Highness the Amir has sent a doctor and palanquin to bring him to Kabul. The Sardar has accordingly been sent from his camp to Kabul accompanied by his family. The troops under his command have marched towards Bobash, having Urzagan for their objective. Nothing has, however, been heard of the entry of this force into Urzagan.

The people of Kandahar maintain that the Hazaras are still in great force near Bobash and are prepared to oppose any troops that may be sent against them. For this reason they believe that the Hazaras are not yet subdued. They further say that the Hazaras have sent their families to places of safety in the mountains, and are themselves engaged in opposing the troops under Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan and General Mir Atta Khan.



News.D.No.442 F. No. 6436, dated Quetta, the 14th October 1892.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.41,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 7th October 1892.

1. Arrivals from Urzagan this week state that the troops under Generals Mir Atta Khan and Sher Muhammad Khan have entered Urzagan from the direction of Dayeh and Faulad, and that the force under the Commander-in-Chief, Ghulam Haidar Khan, has also reached Urzagan from Turkistan. They say further that Colonel Farhad Khan has arrived at Urzagan with his troops from Sangi Masha. The troops under command of Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan, however, are said to be still encamped at Bubash, having as yet made no movement in the direction of Urzagan. The combined force is now encamped at Urzagan, but all the Hazaras of that place are reported to have fled with their families to Dehkandi and Dehzangi. There are no Hazaras left in Urzagan. Those of them who were too old and feeble to effect their escape hid themselves in the mountains and are now coming in. They receive kindly treatment at the hands of Sardar Abdulla Khan, who presents them with khilats.

The Commander-in-Chief, Ghulam Haidar Khan, is preparing to attack those Hazaras who escaped to Dehkandi and Dehzangi. The sole inhabitants of Urzagan consist of the army of occupation.

Two surveyors in the service of His Highness the Amir are now engaged in making a survey of the country round Urzagan. It is believed that a large fort is to be built in the centre of the Urzagan district.

Those who have seen the fort under construction say that it will be as large as the city of Kandahar. Though this may be an exaggeration, it will no doubt be a fort of considerable size. Twenty masons have been requisitioned from Kandahar, and have been sent to work on the fort.

2. Under orders from His Highness the Amir, a sum of eight lakhs of Kandahari rupees has been despatched from Kandahar to Urzagan for the payments of the troops there.

3. The inhabitants of Mirzan, Dahla and Khakrez have been ordered to transport to Urzagan all the grain stored in the granaries in these districts.

5. Dewan Sadanand had received from Kabul a list showing a sum of eleven lakhs of rupees as outstanding on account of arrears of revenue for the past ten years.

The recovery of these amounts was postponed owing to the outbreak of the Hazara rebellion. The Dewan now intimates his intention of recovering the sums in question. The amounts shown in the list cannot be classed as legitimate revenue arrears, but consist of arrears arising from uncultivated and barren lands, or on account of pay given to the Maliks. Should this money be recovered from the cultivator, he will be put to very serious loss.



News. D.No.457 F. No. 6595, dated Quetta, the 22nd October 1892.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.42.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 14th October 1892.

5. The Governor of Kandahar has left Urzagan en route to Kandahar, and has reached Tirin. He is expected here next week. Nothing is yet known about the disbandment of the tribal levies sent from Kandahar to join the expedition. According to recent arrivals from Urzagan, it appears that Ghulam Haidar Khan, Commander-in-Chief in Turkistan, has treated the Governor of Kandahar with the utmost disrespect. He assumed command of all the troops who accompanied the Governor to Urzagan, and forbade them to salute the Governor when he passed. He also told the tribal levies that they were in no way under the Governor's orders, and that he was himself the only person who had any concern with them. The Commander-in-Chief is reported to be making all arrangements connected with the Hazarajat, independently of, and without any reference to, others.

6. It is rumoured here that most of the Hazaras have fled towards the Herat and Badghis borders. This information has not yet been confirmed. I mention it merely as the rumour is persistent and widespread.

7. The news of Sardar Habib-ulla Khan's arrival at Ghazni is common talk here. Some Shahi sowars, who have just come from Kabul, state that the Sardar has reached Ghazni with a force consisting of three regiments of infantry, two regiments of cavalry and three batteries of artillery, in addition to a large quantity of equipment and military stores. Whether the Sardar will remain at Ghazni, proceed to Urzagan, or come to Kandahar is not known here, but the question of his movements forms the subject of much discussion.



News. D.No.466 F. No. 6701, dated Quetta, the 28th October 1892.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter, No.43,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 21st October 1892.

3. Under orders from the Governor of Kandahar, his son, Muhammad Usman Khan, has issued a notification, directing that any Hazara seen crossing the frontier should be apprehended and brought to Kandahar. The notification contains notably the names of certain Hazara Mirs, such as Mir Muhammad Azim, adding that the capture of such Mirs will be cause of special congratulation.

4. A party of 150 Hazara men, women and children, has been sent to Kandahar as prisoners. A large number of bullocks and donkeys, plundered from the Hazaras, has also been sent to Kandahar as the Governor's booty. The butchers are compelled to purchase the bullocks.

5. The tribal levies have commenced to return to Kandahar from Urzagan, and arrive in small parties daily.

6. In a letter written from Tirin on the 17th of October, the Governor said that he would start for Kandahar in two or three days. The Darbar officials however state that the affairs of the Mian Nishin Hazaras of the Dahala district have not yet been settled, and that this will necessitate the Governor's visiting Mian Nishin, after which he will come to Kandahar.

7. Ghulam Haidar Khan, Commander-in-Chief in Turkistan, assumed command of the troops who accompanied the Governor of Kandahar to Urzagan. He also utilised the tribal levies, furnished from Kandahar, in the construction of the fort at that place, and thus prevented their return to Kandahar. The Governor reported the matter to His Highness the Amir, who has forbidden Ghulam Haidar Khan to interfere with either the regulars or the levies under the Governor of Kandahar, and they are now returning with him.

8. The news of Sardar Habibulla Khan's arrival at Ghazni has been contradicted, and it is now stated that his advance guard only has left Kabul for Ghazni.



News.D.No. 474 F. No.6876, dated Quetta, the 4th November 1892.
From-The Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No. 44,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 28th October 1892.

About 400 Hazara prisoners, comprising men, women and children, have been brought to Kandahar from the Governor's camp this week under escort of tribal levies. Before their arrival, chains were sent out, so that they might enter the city in fetters. The tribal levies under whose escort they came received orders to beat and abuse them as they entered the city, and to take them through the bazar. Most of these prisoners belong to the Gizu and Kamsan districts, and a few of them come from Urzagan. The latter were induced to come in under assurances of kind treatment, but, when they surrendered, were captured and sent here as prisoners.

The higher classes of the tribal levies, as well as the military officers who accompanied the Governor to Urzagan, have each sent 4 or 5 Hazara women to their houses as slaves.

3. According to the tribal levies, the Urzagan rebellion is not yet at an end.

The Hazaras of Dehkandi and Dehzangi, they say, are collecting in force in the mountain fastnesses, where they are taking up strong positions. The Commander-in-Chief, Ghulam Haidar Khan, is endeavouring to bring them to terms.

Urzagan itself is now deserted. Work on the fort and cantonments under construction there is being rapidly pushed on.

Cholera still prevails in Ghulam Haidar Khan's camp.

It is rumoured here that after the Governor's departure, an engagement took place between the Hazaras occupying the Shali valley and the troops under Ghulam Haidar Khan. No authentic news, however, has been received on the subject.

The zamindars and camel-owners are still put to inconvenience and loss by being compelled to convey supplies to Urzagan. They do not expect to be relieved of this duty for a long time.



News. D.No.490 F. No. 7043, dated Quetta, the 12th November 1892.
From-The Officiating Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No. 45,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 4th November 1892.

7. Of the Hazaras who have been brought in as prisoners, the natives of Chureh, Gizu and Kemsan were simply arrested by Faiz Muhammad (known as the Spin Jemadar) on the charge of being spies of the British Government. Most of these Hazaras have probably worked as labourers on the construction of roads in Quetta and Pishin, or some of them may have served with British officers in Baluchistan, and Faiz Muhammad has probably seen them there: this is the only reason why these poor men have been arrested.



News. D.No.502 F. No. 7389,dated Quetta, the 25th November 1892.
From-The Officiating Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.46,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 11th November 1892.

3. Mir Mirza Muhammad Azim Beg, Hazara, was brought prisoner with his two sons and four of his relations from Herat to Kandahar. The prisoners were despatched to Kabul from Kandahar.



Diaries. D.No. 514 F. No. 7478, dated Quetta, the 1st December 1892.
From-The Officiating Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No 47,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 18th November 1892.

5. The Governor announces that General Mir Atta Khan will move from Urzagan to Gizu with four regiments of infantry, and that Brigadier Muhammad Sadik Khan will come to Kandahar with a force, consisting of two regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery.

6. The tribal levies sent to Urzagan from the Kalat-i-Tokhi district, who were under the orders of Sardar Abdul Kudus Khan, have been detained there to assist in the work on the fort under construction.

8. The inhabitants of the Pusht-i-Rud district have been called upon to supply 4,000 camels to transport supplies to Urzagan.

This has caused the entire cessation of the import of wool to Kandahar from Pusht-i-Rud.



News.D.No. 528 F. No.7751, dated Quetta, the 10th December 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, C.B., K.C.S.I., Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.49.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 2nd December 1892.

2. General Mir Atta Khan, under orders from His Highness the Amir, has marched to Gizu with two regiments of infantry and 2 guns. This force will be left at Gizu, while the General will proceed to Kabul to pay his respects to His Highness the Amir. Brigadier Zabardast Khan has left Urzagan for Kabul with four regiments of infantry. General Sher Muhammad Khan is encamped in Urzagan with two regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery. Colonel Farhad Khan has been ordered to Mir Adina, south of Urzagan, with a regiment of infantry, numbering 1,000 men and 2 guns. Sardar Fakir Muhammad Khan, Hakim of Kalat-i-Tokhi, has returned to his district with the tribal levies under him. The latter have been dismissed and permitted to proceed to their homes. Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan has returned to Kandahar with the remainder of the tribal force.

6. The headmen of the Chureh, Gizu and Kamsan Hazaras, who came in with the Governor from Urzagan, have been sent to Kabul under orders from His Highness the Amir.

The remainder of the Hazara prisoners are being distributed among the respectable Duranis of Kandahar as slaves.



News. D.No. 537 F. No.7873, dated Quetta, the 16th December 1892.
From-Major-General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I,C.B.,R.E, Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.50.
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 9th December 1892.

6. Heavy snow has fallen during the week in the districts of Hazarajat including Urzagan. The people, who have to convey supplies on their own cattle to the force stationed there, are put to the utmost inconvenience.



News. D.No. 545 F. No.8170, dated Quetta, the 24th December 1892.
From-Major General Sir James Browne, K.C.S.I., C.B.,R.E., Agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
News-letter No.51,
By Khan Bahadur Mirza Muhammad Takki Khan, 16th December 1892.

2. The authorities are seizing all the camels procurable in the Kandahar districts. Camels are purchased by Government from such owners as are willing to sell, and hired from those who are not. The supply of camels is required in connection with transport for the troops in Hazarajat. The camels forcedly utilised for this purpose have either died or been rendered unfit for further work.

4. Two hands employed in the Kandahar Government powder factory were accused of having supplied the Hazaras with gun-powder four years ago. Their guilt, however, was not established. Despite this, they have been hanged by order of the Amir.

6. General Sher Muhammad Khan has issued orders forbidding the Urzagan Hazaras to afford an asylum to Hazaras now returning from the hills owing to want of food or severity of weather. Any one failing to obey the order will be severely punished.

Several of the Urzagan Hazaras are now flocking in from the hills where they are perishing from starvation and cold. They are reduced to such extremities that they are selling their wives and children at Rs. 10 per head or even less.