32 



Notes on Persia, 



[July 



They have since been good subjects, and opposed the great Kalmook 

 emigration, which, however, they were not able to prevent ; the 60,000 

 families of whom forced the line and retired into China. The line was 

 subsequently reinforced with 12,000* regular troops and artillery ; 

 settlers arrived from Russia, and it is at present one of the most fertile 

 provinces supplying Ashterkhan, and other places, with a vast quan- 

 tity of grain and provisions. The finest horses, and most numerous 

 studs, are also kept here. This extension brought Russia in contact 

 with the Kirgis Tartars, generally called Cossacks, the most powerful 

 of all the tribes of Khorasm. After several years war, peace was con- 

 cluded in the latter part of the reign of Catherine the 2d, and the tribes 

 were allowed to pasture their cattle in the mountains forming the Rus- 

 sian boundary, on acknowledging the sovereignty of that power, which 

 is content with a nominal rule, and the right of confirming the election 

 of the Khan. They voluntarily furnished 5,000 horse during the 

 French invasion, and, in the days of their power (they have not now 

 half that number), counted 200,000 tents. To the west and north of 

 the lake of Aral are the Kara Kalpaks, or black cap, Tartars, by whom 

 the greater part of the Russian subjects are carried off and sold as 

 slaves in Khiva ; they profess themselves under the rule of Russia. 

 To the south of these are the Aral Tartars, extending to Khiva ; and 

 the Persian Turkomans, who are not numerous and always live in fear 

 of their more powerful neighbours. The whole of these are wander- 

 ing tribes, but they cultivate a small part of their lands, which in many 

 places are far from being barren deserts. 



To the east of the Aral lake are several small states of the Usbecks, 

 who pride themselves on being the descendants of Gengis and Timurj 

 some of these are within the Chinese territory, which, notwithstanding 

 its reported weakness, is gradually extending in this direction. The 

 most powerful is Kashgar, from whence there is a direct communica- 

 tion with Cashmeer and Bengal, across the great Hindu Cush and 

 Tibet. I have seen a Russian Armenian subject who had made several 

 journeys to both places. 



Kokhan, or more properly Koo-Khan (the Lord of the mountains), 

 has several considerable towns, and a great number of villages, with 

 fixed inhabitants, along theSirDerria river and its branches. The 

 chief of this country exercises a great influence over all the mountain 

 tribes of the Ala Taug. The Chinese are pressing on his independence, 

 and he w r ill probably soon be subject to that empire. 



Badakshan is frequently, but improperly, included among the Tartar 

 states, and has sometimes made nominal submission to Bokhara and 

 CabuL The nature of their country, which is extremely mountainous 



* Now more considerable, said to be near 30,000 men.- 



