373 
ON THE DISSENSIONS IN PERSIA. 
separate independent states, and those of a 
most democratic form, than the despotic 
kingdom of an Asiatic sovereign. This kin 
dora has not been sufficiently long established, 
to allow the sovereign to divide, and brealj 
into different clans, these formidable bodies, 
who have, in the space of one hundred and 
thirty years, three times changed the dynasty. 
The Ghilegies, in the early part of the last 
century, under Mir Veis, revolted from Per- 
sia, conquered it, and held possession, till 
expelled by Nadir Shah, who again fully re- 
venged the injuries indicted on his country. 
After his death Mahmood Shah and Zernau 
Shah both reigned in Afghanistan, from the 
Soddozye branch of the Dooraney, and Boost 
Moharaed Khan, chief of the Baurikzyes, 
now promises to join the same station. The 
power is too equally balanced, for any chief 
ever to exercise more than a nominal autho- 
rity over any but bis own tribe. The towns, 
and some lesser tribes, who have not powder 
to resist the particular one of which the king 
may be the head, are all he can really com- 
mand. So full and admirable an account of 
these divisions has been given by Mr. Elphin- 
stone in his journey, that any thing I could 
say would only be a repetition of his observa- 
tions, with far less pretensions to correctness. 
My information was chiefly derived from 
some of the exiled chiefs, who were at the 
Persian court, and resided there nearly from 
the time Mr. Elphinstone had been in their 
country, and I only give the following list to 
shew the strength of the leading tribes. Be- 
sides there are many smaller ones, who alto- 
gether amount to a considerable number, and 
generally follow the fortunes of the ruling 
party, being equally oppressed by all, with 
little attachment or fidelity to any. Such a 
state can muster a most formidable power 
for foreign invasion, and the conquest of the 
neighbouring countries is much easier than 
the establishment of a firm government at 
home. 
Of 
Tartar 
origin. 
Eusofzyes 
Dooranies 
Deduct Baurikzyes 
Ghilgies 
Turcolanies 20,000 
Upper Momunds 10,000 
Kyberies 25,000 
Peshour tribes about,... 350,000 
There are a great number of smaller tribes, 
particularly on the mountains, whom it would 
be needless to mention. I was entirely 
guided in my enquiries by the Honorable 
Mr. Elphinstone’s account of the country, 
and found a perfect confirmation of his state- 
ments. The fixed inhabitants even become 
subject, within the limits of the tribes, to 
their chiefs, so but a small portion of the 
actual revenue reaches the royal treasury. 
The Afghans have been only known, as an 
independent state, since the beginning of the 
last century, and their empire then was form- 
ed by several provinces severed from India 
and Persia. They were again subdued by 
Nadir Shah, who, had he lived, would certain- 
ly have broken the union of the tribes. He 
had marehed some large bodies into Persia, 
and intended planting them on the Turkish 
frontiers, filling up their places wdth Persians. 
Assad Khan he had actually taken to Erivan, 
and orders had been issued for 100,000 families 
to be removed to Kurdistan, and the Kurds, 
and other ill.affected subjects of the Turkish 
frontier, to go to Afghanistan. On his death 
Assad Khan quitted Erivan, and forced his 
way, with great talent and courage, to his 
own country ; he had about 5,000 men. 
1,000,000 
750.000 r Shah Kamran Mohamed Shah, 
650.000 L Sha Shudjah. 
250.000 Dost Mohamed Khan’s. 
500.000 Tribe of Meer Vois and the 
conquerors of Persia. 
100.000 
50,000 
125,000 
1,750,000 But divided into a great number 
of small tribes, therefore subject 
to the government. 
The tribes of Persia have been for ages 
under a despotic government, and at times 
one of great power. The chiefs have been 
obliged to frequent the court, enter into its 
intrigues, and expend in the capital the funds 
which enabled them to preserve their ascen- 
dancy, and make the men under them effi- 
cient. 
The King also fomented the dissensions 
among the sons and relations of any very 
powerful chief, whose tribe has thus been 
divided into several branches, and the first 
opportunity taken of removing them to dis- 
tant parts of the country.” 
It is these internal dissensions which are 
in favor of the Russians ; in whatever country 
they may exist, that country is weakened 
by them. It was these arising from con- 
flicting interests and different castes, that in- 
vited a foreign power to conquer India, and 
which brought the people finally under our 
rule. This state of things in Persia favors the 
ambitious projects of Russia. 
” Regarding the invasion of India through 
Persia, I will only say a very few words — the 
Great Tribes of Afghanistan. 
Eimuks Families 80,000 about 400,000 souls. 
Hazarahs 70,000 350,000 
Usbecks tribes of. 
Balk 200,000 
150.000 
130.000 
50,000 
100.000 
