The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-05 00:00:00

THE PERSIAN ARMY.

The following detailed account (extracted from
the Friend of India) of the present strength and
composition of the Persian army will be considered
of some interest in the present posture of affairs :
" The first introduction into Persia of European die-
cipline
and a knowledge of the fabrication and use of
artillery and firearms was due to the gallant and adven-
turous Shirleys, who entered the service of Shah Abbas
more than two centuries and a-half ago, and gave him
valuable aid in his wars with the Porte. But although
a few European officers and artificers were after that to
be generally found in the Fersian armies or courts,
little advantage resulted until, in 180 G, Napoleon, whose
views were turned towards India, entered into an alli-
ance with the Shah of Persia, and sent several officers
to discipline the Persian troops, and organise the ma-
terial for an army. After a time the Russians obtained
an ascendancy, and several of their officers were em-
ployed ; but in 1828 a number of officers from England
and India were sent to reorganise the force, which still
retains the system then introduced. This fact has given
the whole organisation a peculiarly British character ;
while the great services and high qualifications of Sir
H. Lyndsay Bethune, Colonels Ferrant, Sheil and Pass-
more, Major Todd, Captain Lynch, Mr. Armstrong,
and several others, have established a high opinion in
the minds of the Persian soldiery regarding the skill,
courage, and justice of British officers.
" The Persian army, as at present organised, is com-
posed of regular and irregular infantry, irregular ca-
valry, and regular artillery, of which the latter alone is
permanently maintained on the establishment. The
regular infantry (serbaz) which consists of 82 regiments,
is divided into two classes—the one forming the active
permanent force ; the other a reserve, somewhat similar
to the Land wehr troops of Germany. The active por-
tion of the infantry consists of three regiments of Guards
and 32 Regiments of the line. Each regiment (fouj) is
composed of ten companies (dusteh) viz., one of Gre-
nadiers (dusteh bahadaran), one of Light Infantry
(dusteh mekh booran), and eight line or battalion com-
panies (dusteh serbaz).
q," Each company is of the following strength :—One
captain (sooltan), one lieutenant (naib-i-awal, one sub-
lieutenant (naib-i-duwum), five sergeants (serjoga), 10
corporals (deh-basbi), 100 privates (serbaz).
" The line companies have each one fifer (neitchee),
and the flank companies one bugler (sheipourchee).
"The staff of the regiment consists of one colonel (ser-
jung), one lieutenant-colonel (yaver•awal), one major
('aver-duwum), two adjutants (one to each wing), one
surgeon (jerrab), one accountant and paymaster (mirza),
one bagge master (tablidar).
"The full strength of a regiment is, consequently,
1,190 of all grades. The right wing is under the charge
of the lieutenant-colonel, and the left wing of the majors.
"The uniform consists of a red or blue cloth jacket,
loose linen breeches, high brown or yellow leather boots,
and the national lambskin cap ; the two latter are sup-
plied by the soldier, for which, however, he receives an
annual allowance of about 7 rupees. The accoutrements
are made of leather, on the European plan ; the arms
are flint muskets and bayonets, of either English or
Persian manufacture, which latter are of exceedingly
good quality. The formation is in two ranks, and the
men are good shots, manceurvre smartly, and are toler-
ably steady under arms.
" Two regiments form a brigade (teep), which is under
the command of a general of brigade (ser-teep), and two
or more brigades constitute a division, commanded by a
general (serdar). A general-in-chief is called amir-i-too-
man ; a marshal, amir-i-nizam. The War-Minister has
the the title of wuzir.i-nizam, and he is assisted by a
staff officer, uniting the functions of our adjutant and
quarter-master-general's departments. who is designated
' adjutant bashi.' Of the three Regiments of Guards the
Ist, or Bahaderan Khassa, is a Grenadier corps, and com-
posed exclusively of Christians, either subjects of the
empire or refugees ; it is at present commanded by a
Russian named Samson Khan. The 2d Regiment is called
the old Guard, and the 3d the Guard of Karamania.
" The position of the colonel somewhat resembles that
of the colonel proprietaire in the Austrian service.
" The annual pay of the several ranks is as follows :
Private 6 tomana and 1 daily ration.
Corporal
Serjeant
Sub• Lieutenant
Lieutenant

Captain -- 4
Major
Lieutenant-Colonel 220 10 ---•
Colonel 5OO 20
" The value of the toman is about 5 rupees. The ra-
tion consists of half a batman of bread, equal to about
31b. A captain receives one ration of forage, consisting
of 2 batmans of straw and 1 batman of barley ; and the
field-officers receive severally three, five, and ten forage
rations.
" The pay of a general of brigade is 1,000 tomans a
year, with an allowance for his establishment, which
generally consists of the revenues of a village. The pay
of the higher ranks depends on their influence and posi•
tion.
" The remaining 47 regiments form the reserve force,
and of these the greater portion are little more than
skeletons, the men being allowed unlimited leave. They
are, however, annually mustered and exercised for a few
days, and are always liable to be called on for service
when required. A considerable portion of these corps
have recently been embodied, and are now forming a re-
serve camp under the orders of Khan Baboo Khan, the
King's uncle. The recruiting ground of these corps
is chiefly distributed over the provinces of Irak-Ajemi,
Fars, Kermans, Yezed. Their pay, when embodied, is
that of the active force, but while on leave they receive
nothing.
" The irregular infantry consists partly of a militia
and partly of contingents, furnished by the frontier die.
tricts ; this force amounts to about 80,000 men, called
Toofungchees, armed with muskets or matchlocks. They
are only called out on particular occasions, and even
then they receive no pay and find their own arms and
i equipmems, but they receive rations and ammunition
anti a sort of general license to plunder. '
"The whole of the Persian cavalry (Kooschoonee
Sowaree) is irregular. Several attempts at organising
regular cavalry under European officers have been made,
but without sUCCOPa and All WITO /Mg any roducidt.