‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎20v] (45/470)

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intention to make Derkun the stage (see page 268). The Hajji was an
excellent specimen of a Persian colonel, chosen on account of local interest;
a most amiable gentleman, a most hospitable and fatherly host, but nevertheless
unfit to command even a battalion of his own villagers. His second son, a
youth of 17 or IS years, was an officer in the same regiment; serving in no
inferior position and under little restraint he will acquire few military habits.
He was the idol of adulation of all his father’s retainers. The regiment is one
of those placed under the orders of the Zil-ul-Sultan, and orders had been
- . T « issued for its assembly at Isfahan ; men were met dailv
Persian Infantry. , • .
marching in from all quarters; they were, as a rule,
young men, about twenty years old, of good physique; each man carried a
percussion musket; the majority were fairly well dressed but several were
clothed in rags. The uniform worn consisted of a long blue coat, with a
stand-up collar, of cloth or cotton, gathered in at the waist, and fastened
down the front by brass buttons, upon which were impressed the Persian arms
(Lion and Sun); and blue trousers of cloth or cotton with a red stripe.
The uniform of officers and men is the same in shape and colour, but differs in
quality.
f l he infantry were seen at Isfahan undergoing their preliminary drills,
which consisted, for the most part, in marching round and round the drill
ground, the Maidan-i-Shah, in battalions, the companies at half intervals.
No accoutrements were worn.
Few officers were seen on parade.
The district of Chadagan, elevated 6,500', to 7,000', is well watered, fertile,
enjoys an excellent climate, and is well calculated to become the site of a
sanitarium. Chadagan was 60° cooler than Isfahan.
IV.
Isfahan to Lushire through the Kuhgehlu hills, Behbahdn and Bandar-Dildm.
^ lo rest and to make preparations for the journey to Bushire through the
K tiwgehlu hibs via Behbahan and Bandar-Diiam, a halt was made at Isfahan
fiom the 2.oid to the 2uth May. Great difficulty was found in entertaining
carnage, both on account oi the reputed badness of the road, the scarcity of
provisions and its comparative insecurity. To the apathetic nature of the
iersian, to tread in an unknown path is most distasteful.
Mule caniage was entertained at the rate of krans per mule per day,
through the instrumentality of Mr. Collignon of the lirm of Hotz and
ompany, meichants, Bushire, Isfahan and Tehran, who, after great per
suasion induced a large mule-owner, employed by his firm, to send seven with
tlie party. Of the servants who accompanied the party from Dizful none now
lemained ; the cold, long marches in the hills and off caravan roads, proved
disagreeable to them. r
About one-half of Isfahan, the capital of Southern Persia, is in ruins, and
Isfahan. the other half presents but few objects of interest. It
. , p ^. s s ^ ua ^ e d i 11 the centre of a very fertile district, pro
ducing cereals and fruits, including the grape, in abundance. The poppy is
very extensively cultivated (see details, Bart LV, and Revised Gazetteer of
Benia). J