'Report on the Persian Army compiled in the Intelligence Branch of the Quarter Master General's Department in India by Lieutenant J.A. Douglas 2nd Bengal Lancers' [‎112r] (13/22)

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fitted for mounted infantry purposes.
“ I advisedly say mounted infantry, fof I feel certain from what I have seen
of the flower of the Persian cavalry that as they are, without further superior
training, they would not stand the shock of battle on equal terms in a* charge
on or from, say, our Indian cavalry. They are still the Parthians of old, and on
horseback trust almost entirely to the rifle and little to the sword, except against
a fleeing foe.
The irregular cavalry, who provide their own arms, are largely equipped
with the Martini-Peabody rifle, which found its way into Persia in great numbers
during and after the late Turko-Russian war, the result principally of Kurdish
pillage during the Asia Minor .campaign, and purchases from the Russian
soldiers by the numerous Persians who accompanied the army to Kars as
setlers and camp followers. This rifle is said to be the popular arm in Azer
baijan, Gilan, Irak, Kurdistan, and Luristan, and traders manage to do a good
business now in it and its ammunition passing both from lurkish territory.”
With regard to the strength of the irregular levies, it is specially difficult to
get any reliable information. Mr. Herbert estimates the total number at 21,271
men and horses. The Hon’ble G. Curzon gives as the nominal strength
16,350 and the effective strength 12,427, and these latter figures agree with
previous reports. Captain DeLaessoe, writing in 1883, states that these irregu
lar levies might under certain circumstances bring up the Persian cavalry to
50,000 n)en or more.
The official list for 1890 shows the artillery organized in two “tomans”
(nominal 10,000)—•
Toman 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. /.—The Azerbaijani, sub-divided into twelve corps or detachments,
recruited in the Northern and Caspian Provinces, and generally
serving there and at Teheran: total strength all ranks 3,057, of
whom about one half are ordinarily embodied, the rest being at their
homes on the usual “ half-pay.”
Toman 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. II .—The Iraki, sub-divided into sixteen detachments recruited
throughout the rest of Persia, and serving there one-half at a time.
This toman 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. has also a Cadet company of officers’ sons numbering about
Of the real numbers, however, little is known, and the effective strength
appears to be about 1,800, though the actual number serving is probably very
much less.
The horse artillery battery of the Russian Cossack brigade has been already
mentioned.’ They are armed with 9-centimetre Russian guns on the Krupp
model, a present to the Shah from the Russian Emperor.
Mule batteries .—There are a few mule batteries armed with Austrian
(Uchatius) guns. General Gordon reports that in the two seen by him at
Teheran, the guns and ammunition were carried on fine strong mules, which look
ed well kept and fit for anything.
The remaining batteries are armed apparently with antiquated smooth-bores
of various patterns and calibre. What other guns there are are seldom taken out
of the arsenals [see Arms).
Artillery horses .—Three hundred horses are supposed to be in the artillery
stables at Teheran, but the real number is considerably less. A full complement
for two field batteries is maintained at Tabriz, for one field battery at Isfahan,
and sufficient for a few guns at Kirmanshah, Mashed, and other places.
Under this heading are included (<7) the so-called Militia, (b) Camel Artillery
(Zamburakchis), (c) Austrian Corps—
Artillery.
Militia .—The militia consists of an irregular force of “Tufangchis”
or matchlock men, “ Shamkhalchis,” and “ Jezailchis ” raised and
supported by local districts and cities for the protection of life and
property within their own borders.