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Inclosure 9 in No. 1.
Mr. Colvin to Government of India.
Srinagar, May 11, 1904. IN continuation of my letter, dated the 27th April, 1904, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India, translations of a letter and its inclosure, received by the Political Agent in Gilgit from the Mir of Hunza regarding the recent interchange of presents between Hunza and the Chinese authorities at Kashgar.
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I have given this order, and thus every year he comes he is well looked after. would be better if in future you send the gold earlier. You, Mansabdar, are doing your work well, and have given your heart to it. We also are pleased with you. When a person possesses peace of mind, he can then work in the inferests of his subjects, look after them diligently, and do good to them. In such circumstances the subjects, too, serve their Ruler with devotion and behave like good people. The result is that such an Empire never comes to grief. I, Taotai, am very pleased with you, Mansabdar, so I write this to you.
This letter is given to Mansabdar, Mir of Kanjut, Muhammad Nazim Khan, 30th year of Kuang-Hsü Khan, 19th of the 1st month-viz., Zilhijja, 1321 (8th March, 1904).
(Translation.)
Inclosure 10 in No. 1.
Mir of Hunza to Captain Gurdon.
(After compliments.)
1 Safar, 1322 (April 18, 1904), NAZAR ALI has returned from Kashgar with the presents that the Chinese authorities send me every year. I am sending the Tautai's letter on to you, and hope it will reach you.
2. As directed by Colonel Miles, Nazar Ali talked over the Raskam question with the Taotai, and explained that Raskam was from ancient times within the limits of Kanjut, that in the past years the Tactai had stated that the lands were given over to the Kanjutis, but that the Russians were making mischief, and that Raskam could not therefore be given either to Huuza people or to any other people, and that now the people of Sarikol were cultivating the lands for reasons not known. The Taotai, in reply, said that the Raskam lands were undoubtedly within the Kanjut limits, and that he would write on the subject to the Futai (Governor of New Dominions) at Urumchi, who, the Taotai hoped, would sauction the grant. All this conversation was reported by Nazar Ali to Colonel Miles with full details. The Taolai also said that he would write to the Amban at Tashkurghan and instruct him to prohibit cultivation in Raskam by foreign people.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 11 in No. 1.
Tuotai of Kashgar to Mir Muhammad Nazim Khan of Hunzo,
I HAVE seen the letter you sent me. You, Mansabdar (official), have sent here the gold fixed from old times for the 29th year of Kuang-Hsü Khau (Emperor of China). It weighed 1 seer and 5 miskals (4tolas). I, Taotai, have received it personally, and will forward it to Shingjang Shongfu (Governor of the New Dominions at Urumchi). The said Shougfu will send it on to Blogh Khan (Emperor of China). As usual, two pieces of tawar (Chinese silk of superior quality) have been sent you by hand of Nazar Ali and Gauhar Shal. They will deliver them to you. 1, Taotai, have, according to old usage, shown my favour to you and have sent to you, Mansabdar, 20 pieces of shahi (Bokhara silk), 10 bricks of black tea, 4 pairs of China cups, and 1 big yamboo (Chinese silver coin weighing 160 tolas). In addition, I am also sending 2 pieces of durdoon (Chinese silk inferior to tawar), and 200 pieces of white and blue kirbas (coarse cloth made in Kashgar). All these things have been made over to your men who came here, and they will hand them over to you. You should see these favours of mine and distribute the articles among the persons who are doing service to you, so that they also may see the favours. To Nazar Ali and Gauhar Shah I have shown my kindness by granting them 12 strings of puls (1 string
20 tangas
about rupees 3: S), China cups, kirbas, and black tea. I have also given them a written order to all my subordinate officials to look after them (Nazar Ali and Gauhar Shah) properly, treat them respectfully, and make their journey easy from karawal to karawal (karawal is a small post stationed at certain places to watch routes leading from one place to another). No hire will be taken from them for the carts and ponies supplied to them,
(Confidential.)
Inclosure 12 in No. 1.
Mr. Colvin to Government of India.
Srinagar, June 3, 1904. IN continuation of the correspondence ending with my telegram of the 22nd April, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India, copy of a letter of the 19th May, received from the Political Agent, Gilgit, in which he expresses his views on the amount of compensation to be given to the Mir of Hanza, if the relations of that Chief with China are to be severed, and also on the possible measures for providing for the redundant population of Hunza.
I concur with the Political Agent that, under the circumstances explained by him. The actual the compensation should be fixed at not less than 3,000 rupees per annum. pecuniary loss to the Mir, if the severance of the relations of his State with China is effected, would possibly be less than that sum, but it is a matter in which compensation should, I think, be liberally given.
Of the three possible measures proposed for relieving the excess population of Hunza, the one promising the quickest and most certain results is, in my opinion, the suggested increase in the strength of the existing levics. Captain Gordon has pointed out that, although relief is not so urgently required in Nagar as in Hunza, it would, nevertheless, be impolitic while dealing with the question to omit the former State from consideration. The increase in the number of levies in each State to 250 men is, in my opinion, in itself a desirable measure, for the Hunza and Nagar men make excellent levies, and may now, I think, be fully depended on, but it would be a somewhat costly measure, involving, according to the Political Agent, an extra annual expenditure of 14,000 rupees. Details of this amount have been asked for, and will be forwarded, if required, to the Government of India.
The advisability of rearming the levies has been revived by Captain Gurdon. My views on this question-which agree with those of my predecessor, Mr. Danc-are already known to the Government of India. Should an increase in the number of the levies be decided upon, I think there would be no undue risk in providing them at the same time with a better weapon than that they at present possess.
As regards the other two measures proposed by the Political Agent, they possess the undoubted advantage of taking people out of the country instead of putting money in. The principle obstacle to their success is the obstructive attitude adopted by the Chiefs towards the emigration of their subjects outside their States. The conditions on which the Durbar were willing three years ago, and are still willing, to allow colonization on the Matam Das lauds are very reasonable, and it is a pity that the proposal should be thwarted owing to the disfavour with which it is viewed by the Mir of Hunza. It would appear that the scheme is not alternative to the suggested increase of the levies or contingent on the decision of the Government of India as regards the latter. I am therefore urging the Political Agent to use his influence in inducing the Mir to change bis present attitude, and to refrain generally from discouraging his subjects from It will be seen from the Political Agent's seeking employment in Gilgit and elsewhere. recent diaries that he has already pressed the Mir to reconsider his views in the matter, and I hope shortly to hear that his arguments have taken effect.