OLD PERSIAN ARMY. 
585 
The regular, or only standing body of cavalry, may be called 
that of the Goolams. The men are in general the sons of good 
families ; and, not unfrequently, the proteges, or certain useful 
agents of persons in power, whom they wish to provide for. 
These people are furnished with their horses and arms; and 
according to their taking proper advantages of any occasions 
held out to them, or that might be seized, to particularly serve 
his majesty, they have more splendid accoutrements presented 
to them. Their pay varies from ten to twelve, twenty, or even 
sixty tomauns per annum ; but their greatest sources of emolu¬ 
ment arise from being employed, like the Janissaries of the Porte, 
to carry presents, to collect revenues, &c.; and the profits thence 
are sometimes hardly to be calculated. His majesty keeps 
about 2000 of these men, one officer alone being their chief; 
and he, at present, is a Georgian, formerly a slave, and a great 
favourite with the Shah. A minor division of this body, is 
called the Goolam Tuffanchis, or musketeers. They act either 
on foot or on horseback, and are celebrated as almost unerring 
marksmen. Detachments from these people are often sent for 
two years at a time, into garrison, wherever his majesty deems 
such lasting service necessary. They receive fifteen tomauns 
per annum, and a certain portion of wheat. 
Independent of the Goolam, in time of war the king has an 
additional body of horse always in attendance on his person. 
These are armed in various ways, and many in coats of mail. 
But even during peace, he has them in small musters, brought 
in rotation to pass in review before the window of his palace. 
When all together, they consist of 10,000 men. Each receives 
his arms and horse from government; and should the former be 
4 F 
VOL. II. 
