Turkish population of Iran
The Turkish tribes of the
Turko-Persian frontier are especially noted for their predatory habits, and, if
Sunnis, are particularly obnoxious to the Persian Shi’ah. The Turkish tribes
are found chiefly in the north and north-west of Persia, but a few tribes also
inhabit the south-eastern provinces. Kindred races are the Osmanlis or subjects
of the Sultan of Turkey, the Tartars of Russia and Siberia, the Kirghiz of
Central Asia, the Uzbegs of Khiva, Bokhara and Fargana, and the Turkomans of
Transcaspia. The language of the Persian Turks is the Turki dialect, a modified
form of that spoken in Turkey. They are a warlike people and furnish the best
Persian soldiers.
Leading and characteristic tribes:
1. Kizil Bash (Red Heads). A general name for a powerful combination of 32 tribes. To
break the power of these the Shahsavand tribes were organised by Shah ‘Abbas
I in the first quarter of the 17th century. They were granted the distinction
of a peculiar head-dress, for assisting the accession of Shah Ismail.
The more important Kizil Bash tribes
are: ―
(a) Afshar who settled in Persia in the 16th century. Habitat
Azarbaijan, Urumieh, Sain Kaleh, Ardabil, Mish Mazandaran, Khorasan, ‘Iraq,
Fars and Kirman. Some 12,000 families. They have mostly discarded their nomad
ways and live in towns and villages. About 14,000 are on active service in the
Persian cavalry, and they could probably produce 15,000 well-armed horsemen.
Except for dress, they resemble ordinary Persians. Loquacious and flatterers,
they yet have the makings of good soldiers, but are quarrelsome, thievish, and
addicted to drink.
(b) Baiat, who came with Jengiz Khan. Habitat, mostly north of Burujird
and Khurramabad, some in Fars and Khorasan, and some have joined the Qajar
tribe.
(c) Dhulkadr. Habitat Azarbaijan: very few remain.
(d) Qajar. Habitat Mazandaran, Astarabad and Tehran. The royal tribe of
Persia, to which the reigning Shah of Persia belongs. They number about 10,000
families, in 12 divisions.
(e) Shamlu. Name signifies Syrian, as they came originally from Syria. This tribe
now exist as part of the Afshars, and as part of the Shahsavands, while a
number of them, some 2,500 families, have formed a separate tribe called Baharlu,
half of whom live in Fars, and the remainder in Azarbaijan.
2. Shahsavan. Habitat, chiefly Azarbaijan, and the great central plateau, or
old province of ‘Iraq-i-Ajami. Originally banded together to break the power of
Kizil Bash tribes; their name signifies “Shah loving”*. They are
divided into five main branches, which do not seem to have any close tribal
relations. Of these―
(a) Baghdadi have 7,000 tents; the Cossack brigade at Tehran recruits from them.
Some 600 are said to be serving in that corps. They might also produce 2,000
fighting men, half of whom would be mounted, and armed with nondescript rifles.
(b) Ainallu are said to number 10,000 families, with 1,300 fighting men mounted and
armed.
(c) Afshar have about 6,000 families and 1,000 fighting men. These should properly
be with the Kizil Bash tribe.
(d) Duiran. 5,000 families and 700 men, mounted and armed.
(e) Kurdbaiglu. 7,000 families and 1,500 men, mounted and armed.
In the Russo-Persian War, 1826, the
Shahsavands joined the Russians.
3. Kara-gazlu. Habitat, Hamadan and to the north-east for 30 miles. 5,000
families. Came originally from Syria with the Shamlu tribe. One of the bravest
and most warlike tribes of Persia.
4. Kara Papak. Habitat, Kirmanshah. Fine horsemen, and furnish 400 cavalry to
Government.
5. Qashqai. Habitat, scattered over Fars; in the winter the Garmsir, in
summer the highlands between Isfahan and Shiraz. They resemble Bakhtiaris and
Kuhgalus in manners, customs and features. Number about 10,000 tents; agricultural
as well as a pastoral people and famous for their cattle. The men are light,
hardy, active, warlike, and good riders and shots. They could also furnish good
infantry and can produce between one and two thousand horsemen, armed with
rifles, mostly Martinis. The Qashquli branch of the Qashqais occupy the
country east of Behbehan in the winter, and the highlands between Kazarun and
Abadeh in the summer. Their chief is Muhammad ‘Ali Khan, who lives at Kazarun.
6. Kara Kuin Lu. Habitat, near Baft. 150 families, only noteworthy as the remnants of the tribe,
from which sprang the “Black Sheep” Turkoman Dynasty.
7. Guklan. Habitat, head of the Gurgan river, non-nomadic
Turkomans: 2,000 families: are well mounted, but not particularly manly; have
taken largely to opium smoking: are cultivators, and very dirty, lazy and live
in constant dread of the Yamuts, and in constant strife with their other
neighbours.
8. Qarai. Habitat, Turshiz and Turbat-i-Haidari districts. 3,000
families, village dwellers, but accounted warlike. Regiments recruited from them
have a high reputation.
9. Yamut. Habitat, banks of the Gurgan and Atrak rivers, and as far north
as Balkan and Krasnovodsk. About 30,000 families of Turkomans. Some 7,000 tents
in the Atrak district; remainder under Russia in Khiva territory. Divided into Sharif
and Chuni Yamuts. Former 4,750 families, latter 2,250 families.
Those possessing herds of camels,
cultivating, dwelling in fixed abodes, and paying revenue are called Chumur.
The remainder who possess cattle, horses and flocks, move about for pasturage,
have summer and winter camps, and evade revenue, are called Charva. The
former are the more numerous.
The Yamuts acknowledge no authority,
and have no headmen; owing to this, tribal fens are rife. They are armed with
Berdan rifles, profess to be religiously inclined, treat Saiyids with great
respect, are hospitable, never rob a guest and are upright in their dealings.
The Persian Government has already enlisted
Yamut Turkoman levies. Ordinary Persian troops are not fit to be entrusted with
garrisoning Turkoman countries. A Governor to control this tribe would much
improve matters.
They have nine tribal divisions. Of these
the most numerous are the Jafarbai; habitat, from the mouth of
the Gurgan and through the Aleh-Dagh and Sina-Dagh. Some 3,000 families. Large
owners of camels, sheep and cattle.
The Chumur are the best of this
division and are sailors, fishermen and traders. They live and dress well and
are civilized. Raids and thefts are unknown. They would prefer to be under
Russian protection. The Aghurjurli, on the other hand, who live at
Chikishkliar and the mouth of the Atrak, are Russian subjects and dislike being
so. They are important, because they were originally pirates and are still
sailors and would afford good material for manning the ships on the Caspian.
* During the revolution of 1909 they raided Ardabil,
refused to acknowledge the new regime and only retired on the advance of the
Russian troops.
Military report on Persia. Compiled by the General Staff, Army
Headquarters, India. 1911. Simla: Government Monotype Press, 1912, pp. 138―141.
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