46 



Notes on Persia, §c* 



[July 



It is necessary, perhaps, to state, that this paper was written some 

 time ago, and that I am not in communication with any person now in 

 Persia, consequently cannot give the particulars of the comparatively 

 easy accession of the present king, under most unpromising circum- 

 stances. For this he appears to have been principally indebted to the 

 aid of his late Vizier, and the few English officers in Azerdbijan. Once 

 master of Tehran and the treasure, all was simple, and he had ample 

 means for paying and keeping up an army. The Prince of Shiraz had 

 no pretensions to talent, or courage, and was, from his infamous con- 

 duct, an object of detestation to his subjects, whom he had abandoned to 

 the worst of his favourites. How he has mastered the other provinces 

 has not yet transpired; but I am far from thinking the troubles yet at 

 an end. It is, however, necessary for him to put the allegiance of the 

 chiefs to the test, and the intended movement on Herat is probably 

 intended for that purpose, it being a most popular enterprize in Persia 

 generally. 



Having been only acquainted with him as a boy, I cannot say what 

 his character may now be. At sixteen years of age, he was indolent, but 

 far from deficient in talent ; mild, and kind to those about him, but not 

 considered as possessing energy. Three years military service 

 under his father may have much altered his habits. 



Regarding the troops permanently under British officers, and exclu- 

 sively raised in Azerdbijan, I can speak of them only in terms of the 

 most unqualified praise. Hardy, brave, submissive and easily attached 

 to their officers, I heard no complaint by those who commanded, and 

 have none to prefer myself; their successes, which were much more 

 frequent than is generally known, they owed to their own energy and 

 courage ; their defeats to the want of the necessary qualities in those 

 commanding. When the necessity for bearing hardships was evident, 

 none could do so with greater patience, and even cheerfulness. With 

 bread and water they were perfectly satisfied, though accustomed to 

 live well at home. The troops, who chiefly bore the brunt of the war 

 with Russia, were— 



2 Battalions of Tabreez. I Battalion of Mehrande. 



2 do. Shekakey. 1 Regiment of Lancers. 



2 do. Kara Daug. 8 Troops of Horse Artillery. 



1 do. Khoey. 2 Companies of Foot do. 



1 do. Rhumia. 



The regiments of Erivan and Mechshewan are now Russian sub- 

 jects ; some have served with Russia against Turkey. The irregular 

 troops were from the tribes, and may have been nearly 20,000 men. 

 The whole province may have contained about 1,000,000 souls, and 

 paid 800,000 tomans (12s. each) in taxes. 



