DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0059
CHAP. XIII. SALORE TOORKMUNS. 43
The merchandise was piled round the tomb, the
people took up a position outside of it, and at night
the camels and horses formed a triple barrrier.
Such were the arrangements for our protection, and,
as will be seen, they were not more than were
necessary. The Toorkmuns crowded among us
during the day, and brought tunics made of camels'
hair for sale, which were readily purchased ; but
there was not an individual of the caravan who
trusted himself at a distance from it: and how
could it be otherwise, when we hourly saw the
" Allamans" passing and repassing in front of us,
and knew that the chief subsistence of the people
was derived from their forays.
The Toorkmun settlement of Shurukhs consists
of a small and weak fort, almost in ruins, situated
on a hillock, under cover of which most of the in-
habitants have pitched their tenements. There are
a few mud-houses, which have been built by the
Jews of Meshid, who trade with these people ; but
the Toorkmuns themselves live in the conical houses,
or khirgahs, peculiar to their tribe. They are con-
structed of wood, surrounded by a mat of reeds,
and covered in the roof with felts, that become
black with soot. Shurukhs is the residence of the
Salore Toorkmuns, the noblest of the race. Two
thousand families are here domiciled, and an equal
number of horses, of the finest blood, may be raised
in case of need. If unable to cope with their ene-
mies, these people flee to the deserts, which lie
before them, and await the termination of the storm.
They pay a sparing and doubtful allegiance to Or-
The merchandise was piled round the tomb, the
people took up a position outside of it, and at night
the camels and horses formed a triple barrrier.
Such were the arrangements for our protection, and,
as will be seen, they were not more than were
necessary. The Toorkmuns crowded among us
during the day, and brought tunics made of camels'
hair for sale, which were readily purchased ; but
there was not an individual of the caravan who
trusted himself at a distance from it: and how
could it be otherwise, when we hourly saw the
" Allamans" passing and repassing in front of us,
and knew that the chief subsistence of the people
was derived from their forays.
The Toorkmun settlement of Shurukhs consists
of a small and weak fort, almost in ruins, situated
on a hillock, under cover of which most of the in-
habitants have pitched their tenements. There are
a few mud-houses, which have been built by the
Jews of Meshid, who trade with these people ; but
the Toorkmuns themselves live in the conical houses,
or khirgahs, peculiar to their tribe. They are con-
structed of wood, surrounded by a mat of reeds,
and covered in the roof with felts, that become
black with soot. Shurukhs is the residence of the
Salore Toorkmuns, the noblest of the race. Two
thousand families are here domiciled, and an equal
number of horses, of the finest blood, may be raised
in case of need. If unable to cope with their ene-
mies, these people flee to the deserts, which lie
before them, and await the termination of the storm.
They pay a sparing and doubtful allegiance to Or-