The Azerbaijani forces of the Qajar army
The disciplined forces of Adzerbijan, the province
under the immediate rule of the heir apparent, consists of about twelve
thousand infantry, twelve hundred horse artillery, and one regiment of lancers,
drilled and organized according to European tactics. They are divided into ten
battalions of Persians, and two of Russians, deserters from the army in
Georgia; some of whom, as I have already observed, have become Mahomedans, the
remainder continuing in their original faith. These battalions are named after
the provinces in which they have been respectively raised ― a system of
distinction which might, during periods of domestic convulsion, produce
unfavourable disunion in the army, but which has hitherto only operated as a
stimulus to emulation. Thus there are Tabreezes (from Tabreez), Hamadanees
(from Hamadan), Kansehs, Marangas, two battalions of Affshars, Khoies,
Caradaghis, Kemsehs, and Sheegaugees. The disciplined infantry is called Serbâz:
the artillery, which consists of twenty-five pieces of different calibre, mounted
and in condition for service, are termed Topchehs. They form a most
useful and efficient branch of the army, and have called forth the encomiums
even of the Russian officers. The costume of these troops is a green jacket
(excepting the guards, who wear red;) wide and loose white trowsers, and boots
which reach to the knee; the head-dress is the black lamb-skin cap usually worn
throughout Persia.
Joachim Hayward Stocqueler, Fifteen months' pilgrimage through untrodden
tracts of Khuzistan and Persia, in a journey from India to England, through
parts of Turkish Arabia, Persia, Armenia, Russia, and Germany. Performed in the
years 1831 and 1832. Vol. I. — London: Saunders and Otley, 1832, p. 164—166.
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