30 



Notes on Persia, 



[July 



would be plundered by the other Tartars, whether of Khiva or Bokhara, 

 if they had not previously entered into engagements with them. The 

 subjoined list gives the names of the different tribes, who form the prin- 

 cipal and most formidable part of the Persian Cavalry, their principal 

 force. The Infantry are either from the fixed villages or the e;reat 

 tribes of Lack, Loor and Boktearee (supposed to be the remains of the 

 ancient Persians). This system renders the assembly of an army a 

 matter of no difficulty, but keeping such a force in order, or even 

 together for any length of time, requires a Prince of great firmness and 

 talent, as in times of confusion the influence of these tribes is greatest, 

 and a civil war is easily brought on and difficult to be subdued. Persia 

 has always been a country not difficult to conquer in times of civil 

 dissension, but, from the same cause, impracticable to retain. When 

 the country is well roused, no army can long resist the incessant 

 attacks of a force, always present, and never to be encountered. The 

 nature of the country singularly favours this system of war; half of it is 

 only fit for the abode of pastoral tribes, who care little for a change of 

 residence; if it does not take place in winter, or at the time their flocks 

 are bringing forth, when a march is destructive to their property. 

 From the long and inveterate feuds which have existed between many 

 of these communities, it is not difficult to form a party ; but they soon 

 get tired of any foreign power, and return to their own people. "With 

 one of a different religion, no dependence can be placed on their 

 alliance. 



The kings of Persia have always had the greatest difficulty in keep- 

 ing them in subjection. Shah Ismail and Shah Abbas attempted to 

 form a royal tribe, called the Shah Pussunds, or Shasewunds, by taking 

 volunteers from all and giving them the best lands. The measure was 

 not successful, and they quickly became the most unruly body in the 

 kingdom. Nadir Shah being an Afshar, that tribe rose to great power 

 under his family ; to them succeeded the Zunds, of which Kerim Khan 

 was the chief, and now the Kadgars. The present family have much 

 reduced the power of the tribes, by raising regular troops and a corps 

 of Artillery. This, with the party they are able to form, has been 

 sufficient to restrain all but those of the province of Khorasan ; had 

 Abbas Mirza lived that too would have been perfectly subdued. In 

 Azerbijan, formerly the most turbulent province, no tribe dares disobey 

 the orders of government ; but oppression has followed, and, in the late 

 wars with Russia, they took no part in the struggle, and joined General 

 Paskewitch's forces after the fall of Tabreez. 



Travellers are much deceived, in forming their opinions of the re- 

 sources of Persia, by judging of its population and fertility from what 

 they see in merely passing through it. A considerable part of the 

 country is desert, and all the great roads pass direct to their respective 



