‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎66v] (137/470)

100
minor transport of the country. They also supply its chief military trans
port when on the move, each regiment being followed by a train of them.
The cost of a good donkey is from 16 to 24) rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . The pad and its trappings
resemble those of the mule.
The shoe in universal use consists of a thin plate of iron about 1^ to 1|
g j ioe . n inches wide, hammered to the shape of the hoof, which
it nearly covers, and is fastened on by four or six large
headed nails; they last for about ten weeks.
The breed of cows amongst the Feilis and Bakhtiarfs is small; the breed
Oxen and cows. improves eastwards. Amongst the Kuhgehlu some good
oxen were seen; the largest and best are bred by the
Kashgai. This difference in size is accounted for by the better pasture found
in the hills of the latter.
Sir H. Rawlinson considers the Bakhtfans to be individually brave, but
Character. a crue ^ an d savage character. They pursue 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 mur
der, 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
Fatihah, or prayer for the dead, for otherwise they would have no other occu
pation. They are most dexterous and notorious thieves. Altogether they
may be considered the most wild and barbarous of all the inhabitants of Persia
(see jwge 93).
Judging from the ready alacrity with which the Lurs render obedience
to their lushmals or headmen and chiefs, the deference with which they
approach such, their quiet and respectful demeanour in durbar 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 observ
ed 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 bloodthirsty, 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 pro
pensities 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 law
lessness. It is the cause capable of producing but one effect; it gives no pro
tection to private property, and offers no encouragement to industry. Integrity
in Persia leads to ruin. & J
L nder 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 disregard
ot truth, the fraud with which he conducts ordinary business, his thorough
hypocrisy, and his avarice, at the shrine of which detestable vice all feel
ings or honour and friendship are sacrificed. Although the enemies of
eoch chief are to be found generally amongst those of his own household, yet
t le majonty of the tribesmen have hitherto been remarkably loyal to their
tribal representative (seepages 64, 163),