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‘Gazetteer of Persia, Part III, including Fārs, Lūristān, Arabistān, Khūzistān, Yazd, Karmānshāh, Ardalān, Kurdistān’ [55r] (114/686)
The record is made up of 1 volume (336 folios). It was created in 1885. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
The breed of cows amongst the Feills and Bakhtiarfs is small; the
^ , breed improves eastwards. Among-st the Kuh-
geniu some good oxen were seen; the largest
and best are bred by the Kashkai. This difference in size is accounted
for by the better pasture found in the hills of the latter.
Sir H. Rawlinson considers the Bakhtiaiis to be individually brave*
Character a crue ^ anc ^ sava 2' e character. They pur
sue their blood-feuds with the most inveterate
and exterminating spirit* and they consider no oath or obligation in
any way binding when it interferes with their thirst of revenge;
indeed, the dreadful stories of domestic tragedy which are related* in
which whole families have fallen by each other’s hands, are enough
to freeze the blood with horror (a son* for instance* having slain his
father to obtain the chiefship; another brother having avenged the
murder, and so on, till only one individual was left). It is proverbial
in Persia that the Bakhtiaris have been obliged to forego altogether
the reading of the Fdtihah, or prayer for the dead, for otherwise they
would have no other occupation. They are most dexterous and notori
ous thieves. Altogether they may be considered the most wild and
barbarous of all the inhabitants of Persia.
Judging from the ready alacrity with which the Lurs render obedi
ence to their Tushmals* or headmen and chiefs, the deference with
which they approach such* their quiet and respectful demeanour in
darbar
A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family).
and in putting forward a statement or complaint* the general
decorum and seemliness observed in their encampments* their general
modest behaviour and simplicity when not incited to behave otherwise
by those whose authority they obey, it is conjectured that at heart
they are not a blood-thirsty, thieving, or rebellious race* but, on the
contrary, that their cruelty and blood-shedding is due to ambition,
unrestrained by fear of retributive judgment; their thievish propensi
ties to a like want of fear and to petty exactions ; and their rebellions
to oppression, government exactions, and mis-rule, or rather a total
neglect of all rule and of all justice; in fact, to Oriental despotism
has been due their lawlessness. It is the cause capable of producing
but one effect; it gives no protection to private property, and offers no
encouragement to industry. Integrity in Persia leads to ruin.
Under a firm and just government there is every reason to believe
that they would become tractable and loyal citizens.
Contact with the race that rules them causes their general character
to resemble that of the Persian* who is notorious for his total disre
gard of truth, the fraud with which he conducts ordinary business,
his thorough hypocrisy, and his avarice* at the shrine of which detest
able vice all feelings of honour and friendship are sacrificed. Although
the enemies of each chief are to be found generally amongst those of
his own household, yet the majority of the tribesmen have hitherto
been remarkably loyal to their tribal representative. The joyous
nature and manly freedom of the Bakhtiaris contrast strongly with the
sedate bearing of the Arabs, who inhabit the country to the south-west
and east of Sliustar. (Bell.)
87
About this item
- Content
The third of four volumes comprising a Gazetteer of Persia. The volume, which is marked Confidential, covers Fārs, Lūristān [Lorestān], Arabistān, Khūzistān [Khūzestān], Yazd, Karmānshāh [Kermānshāh], Ardalān, and Kurdistān. The frontispiece states that the volume was revised and updated in April 1885 in the Intelligence Branch of the Quartermaster General’s Department in India, under the orders of Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe Macgregor, Quartermaster-General in India. Publication took place in Calcutta [Kolkata] by the Superintendent of Government Printing, India, in 1885.
The following items precede the main body of the gazetteer:
- a note by Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Sever Bell, Deputy Quartermaster General, Intelligence Branch, requesting inaccuracies, omissions and suggestions for the gazetteer be reported to the Deputy Quartermaster General;
- a second note, dated 26 November 1885, describing the geographical scope of the four volumes comprising the Gazetteer of Persia , and also making reference to the system of transliteration used (Hunterian) and authorities consulted;
- a preface, containing a summary of the geographical boundaries of the Gazetteer, a description of the Persian coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , an abridged account of trade in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. for the year 1884, and a description of telegraphs in the regions described by the Gazetteer.
The gazetteer includes entries for human settlements (villages, towns and cities), geographic regions, tribes, significant geographic features (such as rivers, canals, mountains, valleys, passes), and halting places on established routes. Figures for latitude, longitude and elevation are indicated where known.
Entries for human settlements provide population figures, water sources, location relative to other landmarks, climate. Entries for larger towns and cities can also include tabulated meteorological statistics (maximum and minimum temperatures, wind direction, remarks on cloud cover and precipitation), topographical descriptions of fortifications, towers, and other significant constructions, historical summaries, agricultural, industrial and trade activities, government.
Entries for tribes indicate the size of the tribe (for example, numbers of men, or horsemen), and the places they inhabit. Entries for larger tribes give tabulated data indicating tribal subdivisions, numbers of families, encampments, summer and winter residences, and other remarks.
Information sources are provided at the end of each gazetteer entry, in the form of an author or source’s surname, italicised and bracketed.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (336 folios)
- Arrangement
The gazetteer’s entries are arranged in alphabetically ascending order.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 341; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: the volume has two printed pagination systems, the first of which uses Roman numerals and runs from I to XIII (ff 3-10), while the second uses Arabic numerals and runs from 1 to 653 (ff 12-338).
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘Gazetteer of Persia, Part III, including Fārs, Lūristān, Arabistān, Khūzistān, Yazd, Karmānshāh, Ardalān, Kurdistān’ [55r] (114/686), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/15/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100033249831.0x000073> [accessed 23 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/15/1
- Title
- ‘Gazetteer of Persia, Part III, including Fārs, Lūristān, Arabistān, Khūzistān, Yazd, Karmānshāh, Ardalān, Kurdistān’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:340v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence