"تقرير عسكري عن جنوب غرب بلاد فارس، يتضمن أقاليم خوزستان (عربستان)، لورستان، وجزءًا من فارس" [‎٢‎٠] (٤٦٦/٤٧)

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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
youtli of 17 or 18 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
issued for its assembly at Isfahan ; men were met daily
Persian Infantry. marching in from all quarters; they were, as a rule,
Touno-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. . .
The 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 30° cooler than Isfahan.
IV.
Isfahan to Bushire through the Kuhgehlu hills, Behhahdn and Bandar -Dihrtk
To rest and to make preparations for the journey to Bushire through the
Kuhgehlu hills via Bebbahan and Bandar-Dilam, a halt was made at Isfahan
from the 23rd to the 26th May. Great difficulty was found in entertaining
carriage, both on account of the reputed badness of the road, the scarcity or
provisions and its comparative insecurity. To the apathetic nature of the
Persian, to tread in an unknown path is most distasteful.
Mule carriage was entertained at the rate of 3| kran^ per mule per day,
through the instrumentality of Mr. Collignon of the firm of Hotz and
Company, merchants, Bushire, Isfahan and Tehran, who, after great per
suasion induced a large mule-owner, employed by his firm, to send seven witii
the party. Of the servants who accompanied the party from Dizful none now
remained ; the cold, long marches in the hills and off caravan roads, proved
disagreeable to them. < .
About one-half of Isfahan, the capital of Southern Persia, is in ruins, and
lefahan ^ ie 0 ^ er presents but few objects of interest.
is situated in the centre of a very fertile district, pro
ducing cereals and fruits, including the grape, in abundance. The poppy
very extensively cultivated {see details, Part IV, and Revised Gazetted 0 J
Fexsia).