The Role of Kaşkay Province in the Social and Political Life of Iran
Traditional Administrative Organisation in Kaşkay Province There is not a rule among the Turkish tribes stating that the eldest son of the family will become the chief of the tribe. Any child that has the qualifications of the tribe can become a chief of the tribe. Melik Mansur Han had classified the following qualifications needed for becoming an Ilhan (provincial governor). Having acquaintances
Good riding ability
A strong posture and bodily structure (tall people are preferred).
A proud and arrogant face
The feature of justice
A good reputation among the tribes
Aristocracy (Leading a noble life)
Courage and beautiful calligraphy
The person with these qualifications could be appointed to this post when needed. But in practice, the chiefs of various tribes and groups that are included within the tribal union and some leading characters of the dynasty that dominate the union were the influential persons in the course of the election of the provincial governor. Generally, the governors son or brother was elected in his place. When there were some conflicts in the course of enthronement, the person who was preferred by the chiefs of the other tribes and who united these tribes under his command would be elected as the provincial governor. In other words, the other candidates would be excluded thereof. Sometimes these conflicts might lead to disintegration. The person who finally was defeated in this struggle would go to the tent of the winner and declare his connection and subjection. The problem of the coronation rarely caused bloodshed among these people. Since Kaşkay people were generally married to a single woman, there have not been any problem or conflict of stepchildren like in the other tribes of Iran and this facilitated the election of the provincial governors.
The provincial governors of Kaşkay province were considered as the provincial governors of Fruzabad and Farrasabad for long years. They had the title of İlhan-yi memleket-i Fars (governor of Persian country). This title gave them a great control (over the tribes in that region) in the centre of the southern Iran (Shiraz) and at the same time, they (provincial governors) had the status of a government bureaucrat. This situation had provided the stipulation of the recognition and the approval of these governors by the central government.
Under normal conditions, the general governor of the Persia would nominate a member of the family of dynasty that was elected by Kaşkay people. The shah would approve this nomination and then send the necessary firman thereof. However, they started to elect the persons that were not recommended by the tribal chiefs (those who were the supporters of the central government) in the periods of conflicts between Kaşkay people and the central government. Therefore, the central government even dared to dismiss the provincial governor in case of difference of opinions about the persons selected by the tribes. However, Kaşkay people preserved their own power despite these oppositions and they maintained their administration in parallel to their demands.
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