'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎40r] (84/706)

AZARBAIJAN
67
ho opposition was offered to the entry of Russian troops into the Province.
Rawlinson and Shiel maintain that 20,000 cavalry could be raised in Azar-
baijan, equal if not superior to the Persian Cossacks, and also 60,000 infantry.
The chief of Maku is said to dispose of an irregular body of foot and horse
numbering 7,000 men, all well armed with breech-loaders and fairly well sup
plied Ten days’ warning would be sufficient in all probability to collect
a body of 5,000 men. In October 1910 the chief of Maku attacked the Tur
kish barracks at Bulagh Bashi, on the grounds that the locality belonged
to Persia, but he was unsuccessful. He is entirely under the influence of
the Russians, who supply him with ammunition.
The Shahsavans (fp v.) are a powerful tribe, and having been more or less
constantly fighting since 1910 till to-day (1912) against both Persian and
Russian troops, ought to be experienced fighters. They number about 15,000.
The Kurdistan tribes are a source of weakness to the Persians, as they are
without cohesion, independent and ill-disciplined. A vast amount of
intrigue has been carried on among them during 1911-12 on the part of the
three rival nations Russia, Turkey, and Persia.
They number (in Persia) abut 15,000.
The Karadaghis might possibly muster 10,000 horsemen. __
Of regular troops Persia possess a very few in Azaroaijan (1J12). Shuja-
ud-Dauleh being a strong ruler was able to keep together a fairly strong force,
but out of this he could not spare more than about 1,000 men, to operate
against the revolted Shahsavans in 1912. The majority of the ‘‘Fidaies,”
who had fought against the Royalist troops, were disarmed when the Russians
occupied Tabr z in December 1911. . ,
In July 1912 Russia obtained the consent of Persia to raise a force o^
700 Cossacks in Tabriz, as part of the Persian Cossack Brigade, whose
headquarters and main body were at Tehran.
Administration.
Azarbaiian is governed bv a Governor-General, in former days usually
the Heir Apparent, who has his seat of government at Tabriz.
In 1910 the administrative Divisions of Azarbaijan were
Tabriz. Bunab. Ahar. _ Sarab.
Urumieh. Mianduab. Ardabil. Mianeh.
Dilman. Saujbulagh. Mishkin. Samkaleh.
Maku. Dehkharqan. As tar a. Khoi.
Maragheh. Marand. Khalkhal.
The Government districts are controlled by Governors (Hakims), the
groups of villages by Deputies (Naib-ul-Hukuma). These posts are held,
as a rule for one year and are sold by the Governor-General to the highest
bidder who in his turn, parcels out the districts, and sublets to minor
officials, who likewise are changed every year.
Finance. qq ie successful purchaser is, on leaving the
capital given a memorandum setting forth the revenue of the district,
the amount to be collected, the local expenses, and the balance to be re
mitted to the central authorities. No mention is made of the purchase money.
The local expenses are mainly—
Army expenditure, buildings, repairs.