The Kuzzilbaushes of Afghaunistaun
The
Kuzzilbaushes are members of that colony of Toorks which now predominant in
Persia. I call them by this name (which is usually given them at Caubul), in
preference to that of Persian, which might lead to mistakes.
The
Kuzzilbaushes generally inhabit towns, except about Heraut, where they are also
to be found in the villages. There are said to be ten or twelve thousand of
them in the town of Caubul, who settled there in the times of Naudir and Ahmed,
and who are still in many respects a people entirely distinct from those around
them. They speak Persian, and among themselves Toorkee. They are all violent
Sheeahs, and their zeal is kept up by the necessity of a certain degree of
concealment, and by their religious animosities with the Soonnees, among whom
they live.
The
Kuzzilbaushes in Afghaunistaun partake of the character of their countrymen in
Persia; they are lively, ingenious, and even elegant and refined; but false,
designing, and cruel; rapacious, but profuse; voluptuous and fond of show; at
once insolent and servile, destitute of all moderation in prosperity, and of
all pride in adversity; brave at one time, and cowardly at another, but always
fond of glory; full of prejudice, but affecting to be liberal and enlightened;
admirable for a mere acquaintance (if one can bear with their vanity), but
dangerous for a close connection*.
The
Kuzzilbaushes at Heraut follow all trades and pursuits; the rest are mostly
soldiers; some are merchants, and these are the best of the class; and many are
tradesmen and servants; the Umlah, or bodies of armed men who attend the great,
are generally formed of them.
Most
of the secretaries, accountants, and other inferior ministers, are
Kuzzilbaushes, and almost every man of rank has a Meerza, a Nazir, and perhaps
a Dewaun, of this description of people. Most of the King’s Peeshkhedmuts, and
other servants immediately about his person, are also Kuzzilbaushes. Some of
these are persons of high rank and office, and some of the military chiefs of
the Kuzzilbaushes are also men of consequence, though always subordinate to the
Dooraunee officers. Some of the Kuzzilbaushes, particularly those in the
Gholaums, or King’s guards, have estates, and even castles, granted by the
crown, purchased; but, except about Heraut, they generally live in towns, and
let out their lands to Afghauns or Taujiks tenants.
Beside
the seven Teerehs, or tribes, into which all the Kuzzilbaushes are divided,
those of Caubul have other peculiar divisions, as the Chendawuls, or
Jewansheers, (first of which names means the vanguard, and the second is a
title), Moraud Khaunees, so called from the Dooraunee lord who first commanded
them, &c. &c.
* I speak from what I have seen of the Kuzzilbaushes
of Caubul, and of a good many Persians whom I have known in India. The
character, however, is chiefly applicable to the inhabitants of the towns; the
country people are not so bad, and the Eliaut, or shepherd tribes, are
something like the Afghauns.
Mountstuart Elphinstone — An Account of the Kingdom of
Caubul, and Its Dependencies, in Persia, Tartary, and India. Vol. I (1842)
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