'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎21] (28/714)

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME
CHArTER XVI
THE NORTH-WEST AND WESTERN PROVINCES
Peculiar political interest of Azerbaijan—Mountain system—Climate-
Population—Revenue and expenditure—Tabriz—Earthquakes—Early-
history—Commercial importance—Capture by the Russians- Recent
figures—The Blue Mosque and Citadel—European quarter—Government
—Loyalty to the Crown—Russian views—Trade of Azerbaijan—Russian
protection—Latest statistics—Export trade — Present and future—
Azerbaijan troops — Drill and armament — Garrisons of Azerbaijan—
Telegraphs— Ardebil—Daria-i-Shahi, or Lake of Urumiah - Navigation
—Marble pits—Maragha—Urumiah—Origin of the Nestorians Eccle
siastical organisation—The Mar Shimun—His authority—Creed and
ritual—Missionary enterprise—(1) American Presbyterians—(2) French
Catholics—(3) Swiss Protestants — (4) Anglican Mission—Results of
Missions—Numbers and appearance of Persian Nestorians—Disabilities
and hardships—Taxation—Armenians - Kurdistan -Origin and history
of the Kurds—Religion and language—Occupation and character —
Rebellion of Sheikh Obeidullah—Number of Persian Kurds (1) Fron
tier tribes—(2) Kurdistan proper (3) Kurds of Kermanshah Pro
ducts—Kermanshahan — Vekil-ed-Dowleh Tak-i-Bostan-— Sculptures
of the Sassanian kings- Panels of the chase—Behistun— Sculptures of
Darius—Nature of the engravings—Ganjnameh tablets—Hamadan—
Ancient Ecbatana—Turco-Persian frontier ......
CHAPTER XVII
THE ARMY
History of the Persian army—The brothers Sherley—Decline under the later
Sefavi kings—The army of Nadir Shah—Fath Ali Shah—Army of
Abbas Mirza —(1) French officers—(2) British officers—Strength of the
Persian army—Effects of the European system—(3) Period of decline
—(4) English officers—Army of Mohammed Shah—Failure and with
drawal of the English contingent—(5) French officers—(6) Italians,
Hungarians, Austrians, and French—(7) Renewed demands for English
officers—(8) Austrian officers—(9) Russian officers—Surviving foreign
element—Modern army—Numerical strength (1) The Army List—
(2) Nominal strength—(3) Effective strength—(4) Number embodied
—Irregular cavalry—Semi-regular cavalry—(1) Isfahan regiment—
(2) Cossack regiments—Regular infantry—Pay and rations—Uniforms
—Army reform—Territorial distribution—Artillery—Guns—Arms and
ammunition—The Arsenal—The Persian soldier and his arms—Camel
artillery—Austrian corps—Cost of the army—Persian officers—Royal
College—Naib's College—Military hospital—The rank and file—Parade
of the Teheran garrison—Regiments on the march—Military adminis
tration—Qualities of the Persian recruit—Chance of reform—Future of
the Persian army