"بلاد فارس." [ظ‎‎١‎٢] (٤٨/٢٩)

of Nadir Shah’s battles with Indians, Afghans, Turks ; also his receptions of
different kings. Visited the Collegp. Tiles of the minaret very good, the
court-yard looks cool and quiet with its plane trees and tanks. Minarets at
the University very pretty. Turkish bath with Dr. Hoernle, the son-in-law of
Dr. Bruce*. Introduced to the Armenian Archbishop.
13th Novemler, Sunday .—family prayers in the morning. Public service
in Church conducted in Persian. Called* with Mr. Aganoor on the Prince,
Massood Mirza, the Zil-es Sultan. The outer court was filled with soldiers; the
officers came up and in saluting reported the muster of their regiments.
Apparently there were 4 regiments, each 572 strong. Inspected the store-rooms.
Saw men fencing and pole-jumping. Informed that the Prince was ready to
receive me. Passed through a second court and into a small garden, the walls
of which were decorated with ibex and gud horns. The Prince, about 40 years of
age, with a pleasing though abrupt manner, was in a small room overlooking the
garden. After a few remarks he said he was confined to his couch through in
disposition and that the Moollahs had been with him. He said Mioollahs were
very foolish. They thought the world was made for them. I assented, and said
what a pity it was they did not travel to see it. Then we spoke of Ayub, and he
was anxious to know whether he was caught, or whether he submitted. I told
him as much as I had heard. Then we spoke of Bokhara and Russia. He said
Russia would keep the Bokhara Emir up so as not to frighten India, but
by-and-by he would be blotted out. He asked me how many men could
Russia move to Afghan frontier. I said about 8,000 a day. He said he did
not want to know that, but how large an army. After a short time I said that
drawing from the Caucasus, the Volga, Khiva, Siberia, &c., I thought 300,000;
he said that was what he had himself heard from Russians, viz., 400,000 and
600 guns, tlm odd 100,000 being required to keep Turkestan quiet. Then he
spoke of shooting, and when on the subject of my travels, he said I was one of
two things, either very silly or very clever, to have obtained permission to visit
Russia in the East. As I had heard at Teheran that he was about to be decorat
ed, I shewed him my medals; he was pleased with them, and paid me a very
pretty compliment.
When speaking of Alikanof, I said I had a picture of that officer, and on
the Prince expressing a wish to see it I said I would give it to him. In telling
the Prince he ought to travel, I said he should go eastward to India first, to see
what a Mahomedan province properly ruled could really become, and that
having done the East he might then go Wbst. He said the suggestion was good
but it all depended on the will of his father. On my taking leave he got
up and gave me five of his pictures from a cupboard. I asked him to write his
name on one, which he did (see Photograph No. 7X ), and then said as you have
given me so many, may I give one to the Viceroy in India ? He replied that
one is for you, and you may do with the others as you like; that I might give
one to the Viceroyf as he was so kind and considerate to Mussulmans ; that
he had the greatest admiration and even affection for Lord Dufferin, and that
I was to be sure to convey these sentiments to the Viceroy. I then said I should
like to give one picture to the Commander-in-Chief, and he said by all means. |
I then took leave of him, and he called me back after I had left the room to
shake hands with me a second time and bid me farewell. The conversation
was carried on through his Native Doctor, a man who spoke English and had
studied medicine in England. The army is evidently his hobby (See Photo
graph 7Z); and although he is the eldest son, he is not the Crown Prince, for his
mother was not of the blood royal. The general impression is that he intends
to fight for the throne. The heir apparent is Musaffur-ed-deen Mirza, at
present Governor of Azerbeidjan; he is said to possess good administrative
ability. The third son is Kamran Mirza, who lives at Teheran as Minister for
Mar.
Erom the palace I went with Mr. Aganoor to visit Karim. Khan Amir
Eanj, he wa s delighted to see me. Plenty of fruits and sweeties ready. He
* Missionary work in Persia is apparently limited to Native Christians and Jews.
t Given to H. E. the Viceroy at Calcutta, 13th January 1888.
+ Given to H. E 3 the Commander-in-Chief, at Calcutta, 12th January 1838.
A third portrait was aiso given to H. K. H. the Duke of Connaught at Poonah on 5th January 1888.