TEHERAN 
240 
The aggregate of the population of Persia is divided into tribes, part 
of which live in fixed habitations, and others (the larger proportion 
indeed, and all the Arabs) live in tents. These tribes never emigrate 
from their own districts, but all have their winter and summer regions ; 
in the former pitching their tents in the plain, in the latter on the 
summits and declivities of their mountains. To these districts they 
adhere strictly, as the line of demarcation for the pasturage of their 
flocks has been observed from ages the most remote. Each has its 
records, and can trace its genealogy to the first generation. The most 
considerable and renowned are the Baktiar , that spread themselves 
over the province of Irauk; the Bailee, that live about the mountains 
of Shooster or Susa, and extend their frontiers to those of the Bah- 
tiars ; the Affshars, that live near the lake of Shahee ; the Lacs, that are 
near Casvin. 
* All the tribes pay tribute. When the King calls upon them for 
purposes of war, all (excepting the Arabs and the Bailee tribe) 
are obliged to send a proportion of men, who are always ready at 
his summons. 
The names of every one of such men, the names of their fathers, 
and other particulars of their family, are all registered in the Defter 
Khona at the seat of government; and at the feast of the Norooz, they 
attend the King to inquire whether their services for that year are re¬ 
quired : if required, they wait the encampment of his Majesty; if not, 
they are permitted to return, but in either case they receive a stated pay. 
This is one of the oldest customs in Persia, recorded in their histories 
from time immemorial. Each tribe has its chief, who is always a Khan , 
and one of their own race. He generally remains with his people, and 
has a Vakeel at the capital, who attends daily at the Der-a-KhonSh, and 
transacts all the business of his principal. He would be the Baron of 
feudal times, if he were not liable to lose his post at the will of the 
King. Mr. Bruce informed me that there still exists in Persia an an¬ 
cient custom, in cases of emergency, of requiring from every mill (the 
wheel of which is turned by water) a man and horse armed and accou- 
