Persia-ancient and modern

Preface

. The recent visit of the Shah, coupled with the concession to Baron Beuter, has caused public attention to be directed to Persia. Its position in relation to our Indian Empire and Bussia makes it additionally essential for intelligent persons to understand clearly its history, resources, features, and political importance. In the great dearth of general historical and descriptive works on the country, this volume has been compiled to meet — however imperfectly — the demand for information respecting the land of the Shah. Books of Persian travels there are in plenty, from that of Chardin to those of Mounsey and Brittlebank ; but most of these are difficult to obtain. Sir John Malcolm's valuable History terminates in 1814, and no work of that character has since been published. VI

PREFACE.

. It has been the design of the Author to give sufficient historical details from the best authorities, to enable the reader to gain a fair general view of ancient * and modern Persian history, supplemented by chapters on the religion, literature, commerce, arts, sciences, army, education, language, sport, etc., of the country. In the chapter on travelling he has endeavoured carefully to describe the routes to the country, its climate, roads, modes of con veyance, and other details necessary to be known by the traveller, in order that those who intend to go there nnty be easily enabled to benefit by the experience of others. With regard to the orthography of names of persons and places, such diversity exists t — even among experts — that it * About two hundred and fifty -four monarchs have reigned over Persia.

Lord Brougham notices the frequent change of dynasty there, observing that in France there were only three dynasties from Charlemagne to Louis XVI., in England but six in the same period. In Persia during those ten centuries there were thirteen (Political Philosophy, I. 1816). It is interesting to remember that the area of ancient Persia at the time of its prosperity (from B.C. 506 to 479) was 2,000,000 of square miles, or more than half modern Europe. It was thus eight times as large as the Babylonian Empirj at its greatest extent, and probably four times as large as the Assyrian (Rawlinson's Fine Great Monarchies, III. 84). Modern Persia has an area of about 500,000 square miles, and is therefore two and a half times larger than France. t Take, for example, the name of the present Shah, thus variously spelt Nasir-ud-deen (Binning); Nasreddeen (Mounsey); Nasr-ul-Din, Nausser. ood.deen, Nasser-ud-deen (Townsend's Manual of Dates) ; Nasser-ed-deen (R. Grant Watson) ; Nasiru 'd din (Eastwick) ; Nasr Eddin (Russian Official

PREFACE.

. VII is difficult to discover the correct spelling. The endeavour has been to avoid a display of pedantry on the one hand and freedom on the other. A copious list of authorities is given, to enable those who wish to study the subject further,* and for this purpose also references are given in the foot-notes scattered throughout the volume. JOHN PIG60T. Burlington Fine Arts Club, March, 1874. Gazette); Nassr-ed-Din (French paper, Dibats); Nusser-ood-deen (Times leader) ; Nasr-ood-Deen (Ussher) ; Nasr-ed-Deen (Quarterly Review) ; and Nassr-ed-Din (Illustrated Review, etc.). At the Author's request, Mirza Petros-Khan, the Persian Imperial Commissioner at the Vienna Exhibition, wrote down the Shah's name, adding yet another form to the list, Naser-el- Din Schah ! * The best books on travel pubhshed in this century are those of Messrs. Fowler, Binning, Lady Sheil, Mounsey, and Brittlebank.

LIST OF WORKS OF REFERENCE. Travels of Sir J. Chardin into Persia and the East Indies, vol. I. (the only one he published). To which is added the Coronation of this present king, Solyman III. London, 1686. Illustrated by curious plates of the cities, palaces, etc.* Continuation of the above. By E. Lloyd, in two small vols. London, 1724. History of Persia. By Captain John Stevens. London, 1715. An Historical Account of the British Trade over the Caspian Sea, with a Journal of Travels from London through Russia into Persia. To which are added the Revolutions of Persia during the present century, with the par ticular History of the great Usurper, Nadir Kouli. London, 1753. Sir W. Jones's Poems. Consisting chiefly of Translations from the Asiatic languages. 1772 ; 2nd edition, 1777. Sir W. Jones's History of the Life of Nadir Shah.

London, 1773. French edition. Persian Miscellanies : an Essay to facilitate the Reading of Persian MSS. With Engraved Specimens. By Sir W. Ouseley, Kt. 1795. f * Chardin's Travels will be found in vol. II. of Harris's collection ; and extracts from them in vol. IX. of Pinkerton's collection (Lowndes). t Secretary to his brother, Sir Gore Ouseley, the ambassador. WORKS OF REFERENCE. IX Epitome of the Ancient History of Persia, extracted and translated from the Jehan Era, a Persian MS. By Sir W. Ouseley. London, 1799. Works of Sir W. Jones. 8 vols. 1799—1801. The Bakhtyar Nameh, or History of Prince Bakhtyar and the Viziers : a series of Persian Tales. By Sir W. Ouseley. London, 1801. Observations on some Medals and Gems, bearing Inscriptions in the Pahlavi or ancient Persick character. By Sir W. Ouseley. 1801.

A Tour to Sheeraz by the route of Kazroun and Feerozabad, to which is added a History of Persia from the death of Kureem Khan to the subversion of the Zend Dynasty. By R. Scott Waring. Bombay, 1801 (reprinted in London, 1807). Decline and Fall of Roman Empire. By Edward Gibbon. 9 vols. 1809. A Journey through Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor to Constantinople, in 1808, 1809. In which is included some Account of His Majesty's Mission, under Sir H. Jones, to the Court of the King of Persia. By James Morier. London, 1812. A Second Journey to ditto, 1810 — 16, with Account of the Proceedings of the Embassy under Sir Gore Oaseley. By J. Morier. London, 1816. A Geographical Memoir of the Persian Empire, interspersed with Accounts of Manners and Customs. By John Macdonald Ksftineir. London, 1813. Travels in Various Countries of tbe East, more particularly in Persia.

By Sir W. Oaseley. 3 vols. London, 1819—22. Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, etc., from 1817—20. By Sir Robert Ker Porter. 2 vols. London, 1821, 1822. Narrative of a Journey into Khorassan, in 1821, 1822. By Jame3 Baillie Fraser. London, 1825. Travels and Adventures on the Shore of the Caspian Sea, with some Account of the Trade, Commerce, and Resources of these Countries. By James Baillie Fraser. London, 1826. The Modern Traveller. Edited by Josiah Conder. London, 1824 — 31. WORKS OF REFERENCE. X Sketches of Persia from the Journal of a Traveller in the East (Sir John Malcolm).* London, 1827. The Adventures of Haji Baba, of Ispahan, in England. By James Morier.f London, 1828. History of Persia. By Sir John Malcolm. 2 vols. 8vo. Murray, 1829. (The first edition of this work was pubbshed in two 4to vols. in 1815.)

Customs and Manners of the Women of Persia, and their Domestic Super stitions. Translated from the Original Persian MS. by J. Atkinson. Oriental Translation Fund. 1832. Historical and Descriptive Account of Persia. By James Baillie Fraser. Edinburgh, 1834. Correspondence relating to Persia and Affghanistan, 1834 — 39. Presented to both Houses of Parliament. Narrative of the Residence of the Persian Princes in London, 1835 — 6. By James Baillie Fraser. 2 vols. London, 1838. Winter's Journey from Constantinople to Teheran, with Travels through various parts of Persia. By James B. Fraser. 2 vols. 1838. Three Years in Persia, with Travelling Adventures in Koordistan. By James Fowler. London, Colburn, 1841. Specimens of the Popular Poetry of Persia, as found in the Adventures and Improvisations of Kurro»lou, the Bandit Minstrel of Northern Persia. and in the Songs of the People inhabiting the Shores of the Caspian Sea.

Orally collected and translated by A. Chodzko. Oriental Translation Fund. 1842. * Reprinted by Murray, 1861. f Reprinted by Ward & Lock, 1856. Mr. Binning says of this book, " Morier's inimitable Haji Baba is a perfect portraiture of an Ispahanee and of a Persian in general," and it "is by far the best book of tbe kind that ever was written." WORKS OF REFERENCE. XI History of Hyder Naik, otherwise styled Nawaub Hyder Ali. By Meer Hussein Ali Khan Kirmani. Translated from an Original Persian MS. by Colonel W. Miles. Oriental Translation Fund. 1842. The Dabistan, or School of Manners. Translated from the Persian, with notes, etc., by D. Shea and A. Troyer. Oriental Translation Fund. 1844. A Residence of Eight Tears in Persia. By Rev. Judkin Perkins. And over, United States, 1843. Biographical Notices of Persian Poets, with Critical and Explanatory Remarks.

By Sir Gore Ouseley. Prefixed to which is a Memoir of the Author by Rev. J. Reynolds. Oriental Translation Fund, 1846. The Court of Persia. By John Kitto, D.D. London, 1849. The People of Persia. By John Kitto, D.D. London, 1850.* Nineveh and Perseopolis. By W. S. W. Vaux. Hall & Co., 1851. Glimpses of Life and Manners in Persia. By Lady Sheil. Murray, 1856. Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, etc. By J. P. Ferrier. Translated by Capt. W. Jesse, and edited by H. D. Seymour, M.P. London, Murray, 1856. . Journal of Two Years' Travel in Persia, etc. By Robert B. M. Binning (Madras Civil Service). 2 vols. Allen, 1857. Encyclopædia Britannica. 8th edition, 1858. Travels of Ludivico di Varthema in Syria, Arabia, Persia, etc. Translated by J. Winter Jones, and edited, with notes and an introduction, by Rev. George Percy Badger.

Hakluyt Society, 1863. * Dr. Kitto' s useful little volumes were published by the Religious Tract Society, and have been placed in its monthly series at the low price of six ponce each. WORKS OF REFERENCE. Journal of a Diplomate's Three Years' Residence in Persia. By Edward B. Eastwick, F.R.S., F.S.A., of the Middle Temple. 2 vols. Smith, Elder -■Co., 1864. Journey from London to Perseopolis. By John Ussher, F.R.G.S. Hurst & Blackett, 1865. History of Persia from the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century to the Year 1858 ; with a review of the Principal Events that led to the Estab lishment of the Kajar Dynasty. By R. Grant Watson. Smith, Elder & Co., 1866. Histoire des Perses. Par le Comte Gobineau. 2 vols. Paris, 1869. Rawlinson's Five Great Monarchies. 3 vols. Murray, 1871. Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World.

By Sir E. Creasy. A Journey through the Caucasus and the Interior of Persia. By Augustus H. Mounsey, F.R.G.S. (Second Secretary to her Majesty's Embassy at Vienna). Smith, Elder & Co., 1872. The Kingdom of the Shah : a Descriptive and Historical Sketch of Persia. By R. Braithwaite. London, Lewis, 1873. Persia during the Famine. By William Brittlebank. Pickering, 1873. Special Catalog der Ansstellung des Persischen Reiches.* Vienna, 1873. A General Sketch of the History of Persia. By Clements R. Markham, C.B., F.B.S. Longmans, 1874. * This work was given the author by the Persian Commissioner, at the Vienna Exhibition. To it he is indebted for much valuable information. PAGE 1 41 CONTENTS.

Chapter I

History : Cyrus — Zoroaster — Xerxes — Alexander the Great — Persia under the Parthians — The Magian Faith — Battles with the Romans — The Sassanian Dynasty — Chosroes— Silk — Heraclius in Persia — Career of Mohammed — Battle of Cadesia — Persia under the Caliphs — The Mongols — Tamerlane

Chapter II

History: Seffavean Dynasty — Shiah Schism — Shah Abbas the Great — Nadir Shah — His Invasion of India — State of that country — Kureem Khan — Aga Mohammed — Haji Ibrahim — Kajar Dynasty — Expedition into Georgia — Assassination of Aga — Fetteh Ali — Malcolm's Embassy — Death of Haji Ibrahim — War with Russia

Chapter III

Uistory : French Ambassador sent to Persia — Embassies from India and England — Abul Hussein Khan's visit to France and England — War declared with Russia — Massacre of Russian Mission— Death of Abbas Mirza — Decease of Fetteh Ali — Mohammed Shah — Residence of Persian Princes in London — Affghanistan Campaign — Siege of Herat — Disputes with England— The Bab and his followers— Accession of Nasser-ed-Din — His Prime Minister, Teki Khan —Death of the Bab — Execution of Teki Khan — CONTENTS. XIV PAGK Another Affghanistan Campaign — Fall of Herat — War with England — Death of the Heir Apparent — Sir H. Rawlinson at the Persian Court — Reform in Administration — Famine — European Tour of the Shah — Concession to Baron Reuter — Return of the Shah— First RaUway 80

Chapter IV

Religion : Zoroaster — Magian Faith under the Sassanian Dynasty — Guebres — Address to the Shah — Results of the Mohammedan Conquest — Doctrines of Mohammed — Shiahs and Sunnies — Ali Shrines — Kerbela — Shrine of the Imam Riza at Meshed ... ... 12*1

Chapter V

Religion : Festival in Honour of Ali — Dramatic "Representation ofthe Deaths of Hassan and Hussein — Sufee Doctrines — Dervishes — Babis — Attempt on the Life of the Shah — Jews — Introduction of Christianity — Nestorians — Armenians — Translation of the Scriptures — Missionaries in Persia— Henry Martyn — His Tomb — Martyn's Translation of the New Testament — Dr. Wolff — Revs. Robt. Bruce and Gordon — Horrors of Famine ... ... 152

Chapter VI

Literature: Printing — Newspaper — Early Persian Literature — Mirkhond — Ansari and his Friends — Their Meeting with Ferdusi — The Shah-Nameh — Flight of Ferdusi — Character of his Poetry — Sir John Malcolm's Opinion on the Subject ... ... ... 17(7

Chapter VII

Literature *. Poets cf the 11th and 12th Centuries — Saadi— His Travels — Tomb near Shiraz — The Gulistan — Character of Saadi's Poems — Nizami — Hafiz — His Poetry and Religious Opinions — Death of Hafiz — His Tomb — Kurroglou, the Bandit Minstrel — Mr. Chodzko's Remarks — Persian and Arabian Origin of European Tales — Libraries ... ... ... ... lyi CONTENTS. XV PAGE 217 233 242 257

Chapter VIII

Commerce and Products : Letter of Queen Elizabeth to the Shah — Sir Anthony and Sir Robert Shirley — John Elton — Jonas Hanway — Black Sea Route — Russian and Southern Routes — Exports and Imports — Persian Merchants — Silk — Carpets — Sword-blades — Pictures — Papier mache' — Enamelling — Illuminated MSS 205

Chapter IX

Arts and Sciences : Seals — Coins — Failure ofthe Attempt to Improve the Coinage — Porcelain — Music — Medicine — Ophthalmia — Bleeding performed by Barbers — Astronomy and Astrology — Fal, or lot — Mathematics — Solar Time — Months — Days of Week — Country Time — Agriculture and Horticulture — Fruits — Flowers

Chapter X

The Army : Rise of a Standing Army — Major Christie — Major Hart — Colonel Sheil — His Opinions upon the Native Soldiers — Sir H. Bethune — Feudal Tenure — Reasons for the Inefficiency of the Army — Numbers of Regiments — Administration — Pay of Troops

Chapter XI

Education and Language Colleges at Shiraz — Subjects Taught — College at Ispahan — Schools — Mirzas — Flowery Style — Education of Princes of the Blood — Persian Knowledge respecting Europe — Arab Story — Sir J. Malcolm on Reform itt Oriental Countries — Language — Arabic and Parsi — Grammar — Dialects

Chapter XII

Travelling : Various Routes to Persia — Travelling in the Caucasus — Climate — Commencement of Spring — Summer Quarters — Healthiness of Ispahan — Travellers' Outfit — Dress — Cost of Mules and Servants — Expenses of Living and Travelling — Roads — Caravansaries — Travelling Post — Caravans — Hospitality — Persian Treatment of Foreigners — Souvenirs ... CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII. Pagb

Sport : Fauna of Persia — Hunting the Antelope — The Hubara a good Quarry — Malcolm's Description of Hawking — The Derraj, or Black Partridge — English Foxhounds — Rams ... ... ... ... 272

Chapter XIV

Women : Laws of Marriage and Divorce — Amount of Dower — Extravagance on the Wedding Day — Marriage of the Shah's Daughter — The Muyer's Palace — Cost of the Festivities, etc. — Marriage of the Heir Apparent — Harems not Prisons — Liberty of Women — Love of Cruelty — Want of Popular Education — Wandering Tribes — Dress of the Shah's Mother 278

Chapter XV

Crown Jewels : Ancient Persian Treasury — Nadir Shah in India — Orliff Diamond — "Mogul" Gem — Ocean qf Light — Koh-i-nom — Nadir's Trick — Crmcn ofthe Moon — Pitt or Regent Diamond- Sir Harfcrd Jones — The Treasure-Chamber and its Contents — The Turquoise — Large Emeralds — The Shah's Talismans ... ... 289