Mohammad Naser Khan Qashqai
Born
about 1904. The eldest son of Soulat ed Douleh, Sardar Asha’er. Only one of the
four brothers who is married. Does not smoke or drink and is a model family
man. Tall, broadly built, staring eyes, slight small-pox marks on face,
commanding presence. Accepted but not entirely undisputed leader of the Qashqai
which he rules firmly but honestly and well. Fast talker and a good raconteur. Fond of town society and when
living in civilised surroundings is very reasonable and amenable. When living
with the tribes he seems to lose his balance (where matters outside the
parochial affairs of the tribe are concerned) and to be easily misled. This
instability possibly results from his varied early experiences including
imprisonment in Tehran with his father who died in captivity. Until the summer
of 1945, when he eventually screwed up courage to go to Tehran, he seems to
have been genuinely in fear of re-imprisonment. His anxiety to consolidate his
position leads him, at the prompting of others, to see in himself a future
Governor-General of Fars, Prime Minister and even Shah of Persia. He has no
confidence in the durability of his pact with Qavam ul Mulk but states that he
will not himself make the first move to break it: he is sure that Qavam will do
that for him. Speaks a little English and understands much. His anti-British
past probably arose more from force of circumstances and various antipathies
than from his own deliberate choice. Claims to have become pro-British by
conviction. Expresses hatred and distrust of the Persian Government and says
the Army only moves to widen its range of extortion. Does not disclose what attitude
he would adopt towards an attempt to force disarmament on the Qashqai but if
the attempt were made while he was with tribes he would, as he is excitable and
easily takes fright, undoubtedly resist. If while he was in town he was asked
to accept some form of voluntary disarmament he might be persuaded to agree:
much would depend on the political situation at the time, the terms offered and
the support given him by his brothers and leading kalantars.
Lieut. G. F. Magee, The Tribes of Fars, Simla: Government
of India Press, 1948, p. 17.
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