1839] 



Russian Mission from Qrenbourg to Bokhara, 151 



The sultans ave the relations of the khan ; who always exercise 

 gome influence among the Kirghiz. They are likewise called, toura* 

 and this title always ensures them great respect from the lower orders. 

 But without merit, they will possess no power among the tribe, who 

 will not be commanded without some great personal quality. 



The khan has in fact the power of life and death among the Kirghiz, 

 who have no security against his tyranny, except public opinion, and 

 no where is it so powerful as among the pastoral tribes. The discon- 

 tented party quickly desert an unjust judge, and choose another for them- 

 selves. The khan is consequently obliged to follow the established 

 customs, and to conform to the law 7 s of the Koran. This conduct in- 

 creases his power. He, however, takes care to keep a mollah entirely de- 

 voted to his interests, and who will explain the laws according to his 

 wishes ; and as the sacred volume and its commentaries are susceptible 

 of many divers interpretations, the khan knows how to take advantage 

 of it to authorize proceedings he would never otherwise venture upon. 

 He also is careful to be surrounded by counsellors, usually, all Kirghiz 

 respected by the tribe, and he endeavours to render himself popular with 

 them by means of flattery and presents. However all these precautions 

 would be insufficient to overcome the natural inconstancy of his subjects, 

 if he did not also insure their favour by his activity, boldness, courage, 

 and also excite their awe by occasional acts of severe justice when indis- 

 pensably necessary. The power of the khan therefore depends upon 

 the general consent of the people. When he has once received that, 

 he may reign despotically, as long as he acts for the interests of the 

 people ; his power is limited by the public opinion on that head, it is 

 necessary it should be in his favour to enable him to govern. Woe to 

 him who would strive to brave it — the same power that established, 

 would not fail to overturn him. 



I saw the following instance of the cruelty of the Kirghiz : several of 

 the people that accompanied us, fancied that in a beggar whom we met, 

 they recognized a robber of their tribe— they took away his horse, tied 

 his arms, and wanted to cut off his head, though they had no right to 

 do so.. They only waited for the order to be given by a young sultan to 

 whom their chief had delegated his authority, and they had sent to 

 solicit it. Permission was, however, refused, and the beggar was set at 

 liberty ; but had great difficulty in escaping from the ill usage and 

 abuse with which he was assailed. 



I was witness to another case which shows their ferocity. The sultan 

 Haroun-ghazi who accompanied us, caused the march to be led by seve- 

 ral hundred Kirghiz — and they unknown to us, attacked the hamlet of 

 the sultan Manem-beg Djanghazi, one of the enemies of Haroun, and 

 * This must wean tcra or branch. 



