FEUDALISM IN PERSIA — DE MORGAN. 601 



tected by nature, enabled it to preserve its independence both in 

 ancient ^ times and in our day. 



By the Kings of Persia, who have never placed any heavy burden 

 on them, these people are considered as frontier guardians and have 

 been favored with light taxation, the right to maintain an independ- 

 ent army, and have been granted many other privileges of less im- 

 jjortance. At times they are called upon to furnish auxiliary troops 

 for the King, and, as was formerly done by the vassals of France, 

 they serve by the side of the sovereign or of their marshals, com- 

 manding their own forces, or at least are given command; for the 

 vahli leaves his domains as little as possible, either because he dreads 

 finding a competitor on his return or through fear of being more or 

 less graciously detained as a hostage at court, to be released only at 

 the cost of ruinous gifts. 



The vahli of Pusht-i-Kuh can put in the field from 1,500 to 2,000 

 men, infantry and cavalry. These soldiers arm, mount, and uniform 

 themselves; but while on a campaign they are allowed rations, money, 

 or partial exemption from taxes. The Government is not concerned 

 with these details, but the vahli meets war expenses from his own 

 resources, even when he carries on a campaign by order of the king. 

 A reduction of tribute indemnifies him in part for his expenditures. 



1 Imew the aged vahli, Hussein Kuli Khan, very well; he was a 

 big, powerful man, resembling portraits on certain drachmas of the 

 Arsacid King Mithridates II. He was very hospitable, although he 

 had the reputation of being very firm and often harsh, which, how- 

 ever, brought him the esteem and respect of all.- 



His court was made up of an administrative officer; two or three 

 ambassadors,^ men of intelligence whom he sent on special missions; 

 one or two letter writers; a mullah (expounder of the law and 

 dogmas of Islam) whom otherwise he never saw; his brother, chief 

 of his cavalry, carrying the title of colonel; a certain number of 

 Khans at the head of his infantry; and a Jew who never left him 

 and whose only duty was to keep busy making date brandy which this 

 excellent vahli Mussulman drank in prodigious quantity. 



^The Chaldean emperors without doubt made some campaigns in these mountains, and 

 I think that the tablet of Naram-Sin (Musee du Louvre, excavations of Susa) represents 

 an expedition of that prince in the country which to-day forms part of Pusht-i-Kuh. 



2 In the East only those are respected who inspire fear. Kindness is always considered 

 as a weakness and is taken advantage of at once unless some exhibition of firmness recalls 

 the sense of duty. Many governors have been driven out because they were too mild. 



' One of these ambassadors, Kaid Khani Khan, a very intelligent young man, chief of 

 a tribe which he had organized himself, who died only a short time ago, had on one occa- 

 sion been sent in an embassy to the chief of the Beni-Lams. He finished his mission ; 

 then taking the road for his return, met a patrol of Turkish soldiers, who found nothing 

 better to do than to make " tchapou " — that is, to take away his arms, ammunition, and 

 baggage. This ambassador under the privileges of diplomacy had some thoughts quite 

 special, but otherwise this incident created no impression other than to make the vahli 

 laugh to tears. 



