1838.] Lhe Slave Bazar. 231 
always said the “‘fathaa’’ or blessing from the Qordn, stretching out 
their hands and stroking down their beards before they sat down. 
Many of our visitors betrayed suspicions of our character, but still 
evinced no unwillingness to converse on all points, from the politics of 
their king to the state of their markets. Simple people, they believe a 
spy must measure their forts and walls, they have no idea of the value 
of conversation. With such ready returns on the part of our guests, it 
was not irksome for me to explain the usages of Europe; but let me 
advise a traveller to lay in a good stock of that kind of knowledge, be. 
fore he ventures to travel in eastern countries. One must have a 
smattering of trade, arts, science, religion, medicine, and, in fact, of 
every thing; and any answer is better than a negative, since ignorance, 
real or pretended, is construed into wilful concealment. 
I tookanearly opportunity of seeing theslave bazar of Bokhdra, which 
is held every Saturday morning. The Uzbeks manage all their affairs by 
means of slaves, who are chiefly brought from Persia by the Tarkmans. 
These poor wretchesare here exposed for sale, and occupy thirty or forty 
stalls, where they are examined like cattle, only with this difference, that 
they are able to give an account of themselves viva voce. On the 
morning which I visited the bazar, there were only six unfortunate 
beings, and J witnessed the manner in which they are disposed of. 
They are first interrogated regarding their parentage and capture, 
and if they are Muhammedans, that is, Sunnis. The question is put 
in that form, for the Uzbeks do not consider a Shiah to be a true 
believer, since with them, as with the primitive Christians, a secta-_ 
ry is more odious than an unbeliever. After the intended purchaser 
is satisfied of the slave’s being an infidel (kaffir), he examines his body, 
particularly noting if he be free from leprosy, so common in Téarkis- 
tan, and he then proceeds to bargain for his price. Three of the 
Persian boys were for sale at thirty tillas of gold a piece*, and it was 
surprising to see how contented the poor fellows sat under their lot. I 
heard one of them telling how he had been seized south of Meshid, 
while tending his flock ; another, who overheard a conversation among 
the bystanders regarding the scarcity of slaves that season, stated 
that a great number had been taken. His companion said with some 
feeling, You and I only think so, because of our own misfortune ; but 
these people must know better. There was one unfortunate girl, but 
she had been long in service, and was now being sold by her master 
because of his poverty. I felt that many a tear had been shed 
in the court where I surveyed the scene, but I was assured from every 
* 200 Rupees, 
