'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎317r] (638/706)

TEHRAN
621
The Nasirl College, another military school, was founded by His High
ness the Nalb-es-Saltaneh, third son of the late Shah, when he was Corn-
man der-in-Chief, to show his interest in military matters. There was no
practical work ever done, and the college ceased to exist on the retirement
of its founder at the death of Nasir-ud-Dln Shah.
Tehran is the headquarters of the Cossack Brigade.
In October 1911 there were about 820 of the “ reformed ” army in the
capital, and about 1,000 Bakhtiari.
The latter were supposed to draw pay from the Government, but to
remain under the orders of their own chiefs. In 1912 the Persian Army
had to all intents and purposes ceased to exist.
Police and Gendarmerie .—In May 1911 there were said to be 1,200 police
in Tehran, some armed with Lebel carbines and some with Werndl carbines.
There were also 300 gendarmes armed with Lebel carbines, half of whom
were mounted.
In 1911, arrangements were made to raise and train a force of gendarmerie,
headquarters at Tehran, for service throughout the country. Swedish offi
cers for this task arrived in Teharn on August 15th. The treasury gen
darmerie were merged into the new T force ; and a school of instruction
started at Tehran. By December 1912 there were about 1,000 trained
gendarmes in Tehran.
In March 1913 3 Swedish officers arrived to take over the organization
of the civil police ; but owing to certain difficulties they were unable to com
mence work before the 10th of April.
Advantages as Capital .—But it is on political grounds that Tehran is the
best site for a capital in Persia. It is 500 miles from the north-west fron
tier, if Russia invades from that side ; and if Russia invaded from the
Caspian, the line of the Elburz gives an excellent line of defence.
If on the other hand Russia invaded from the north-east, the Shah
could meet the invasion better from Tehran than from Isfahan. But it is
owing to its central position, commanding routes to the most valuable prov
inces of the kingdom, that Tehran is so admirably situated. It is half
way between Meshed and Tabriz and so is able to command the provinces
of which they are the centres, and is in easy supporting distance of the
northern maritime provinces. Lastly, it stands as a sort of advanced
outpost to the older capitals of Shiraz and Isfahan whither, in case of
disaster in the north, the court might fall back.
Foreign Representatives .—Turkey has an ambassador at Tehran ; the
following powers, viz., Great Britain, Russia, France, Germany, Austria-
Hungary, Italy, Holland, Belgium and the United States have resident
ministers. The foreign legations have their summer residences on the slopes
of the Elburz Range. The British at Gulahak (q.v.) ; the Russians at
Zarghandeh ; and the Turks and Germans at Tajrish. Others rent places
yearly in neighbouring villages.
Communications .—The Indo-European Telegraph line runs from the
Russian frontier at Julfa to Tehran via Tabriz, Mianeh Zinjan and Kazvin,
while the lines of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, Indian Gov
ernment, run to Bushire via Isfahan and Shiraz and to Baluchistan, where
they join the Indian system via Yazd, Kirman and Bam,