Ahmad Khan Qashqai (General Staff, 1924)

Ahmad Khan (Qashqai), Sardar Ihtisham

Born about 1877. Former title, Zaigham-ud-Douleh. Second son of late Darab Khan, Ilbegi of Qashqai (died 1891), but by a daughter of Murad Beg Bahluli, one of the Amaleh and a servant of the Ilbegi. Six months senior to his half-brother, Soulat-ud-Douleh, Sardar Ashair (q.v.) but on account of his mother being f inferior parentage he has never enjoyed the same esteem in the tribes. Left by his father estates at Garmeh in the Sarhad, and in the Garmsir, Nim-deh-Nishun, Barikhun, Tang-i-Wardi. Replaced his brother, Soulat-ud-Douleh as Ilkhani April 20^th, 1907 to June 2^nd 1907 after their respective supporters had fought a small battle at Kudian, when several Khans of note were killed. Appointed Governor of Behbehan June 1908, but attacked and captured on way. Governor of Yazd for a time in 1911-12. On the breakdown of his brother’s combination with the Governor-General, Nizam-ud-Sultaneh, in the autumn of 1911, was re-appointed Ilkhani October 14^th, 1911―December 7^th, 1912, when Soulat-ud-Douleh again displaced him. He was a third time appointed Ilkhani July 5^th, 1918, when Soulat-ud-Douleh was attacking the Indian troops and S.P.R. in Shiraz, and succeeded in then drawing away from his half-brother most of the clans. He remained Ilkhani till after the departure of Farman Farma, but gradually through rapacity and poor administration lost his following, and on December 17^th, 1920, the new Governor-General Musadiq-us-Sultaneh with local intrigue behind him, brought back Soulat-ud-Douleh in a nominal settlement, by which Nasrullah Khan, 2^nd son of Sardar Ihtisham, was to be Ilbegi. But the last named was soon chased out of the tribe. Since 1920 Sardar Ihtisham has been resident in Shiraz, trying to get the Government to restore his estates, by Soulat-ud-Douleh, and he keeps a few tents around Marvdasht. Married daughter of Ahmad Khan Shishbuluki: 3 sons, Amir Hussain Khan (q.v.), Nasrullah Khan, Amir Quli Khan. In 1922 in India for medical treatment. In tribal combinations the Kashkuli and half of the Darehshuri clans have generally sided with him. Irresolute and a poor administrator, but a friendly person.

Additions and Corrections to Who's Who in Persia (Volume IV), General Staff, India, Delhi: Government Central Press, 1924, p. 6.