DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0111
CHAP. XV.
GOKLAN TOORKMUNS.
95
delighted than the rest, appeared with his horse
sinking under a load of bread, which he distributed
in cakes to every one he met, with this remark: —
" Take this, it is good in the sight of God: take it
you are a guest and a stranger." It was impossible
to look on such scenes with an eye of indifference ;
and could I but give in more graphic language the
scenes of this day among the Toorkmuns, it would
excite the warmest emotion : and yet I speak of the
lawless Toorkmuns, who plunder and desolate the
land: so true is it, that the character of mankind is
made up of the most glaring inconsistencies and
contradictions.
The Khan whom I had accompanied, was now
busily engaged in the duties of his new occupation.
He was the harbinger of good news to the Toork-
muns : for they, who plunder every one, had been
themselves plundered by the Mazenderan troops,
who had proceeded to join the army through their
territories. The prince had ordered a register of
their losses to be communicated; and our Khan
moved from camp to camp as a welcome visiter.
I continued with him for four days, which I passed
in pleasing observation of Toorkmun habits and
customs. No opportunity could have been more
favourable to the purpose, since we were every-
where well received by them; and I appeared in
the suite of a great man. The tribe of Goklan
Toorkmuns is subject to Persia, which has asserted
its supremacy for the last thirty-six years. Their
allegiance is unwilling, but it is complete; for they
have exchanged the habits of rapine for the peaceful
GOKLAN TOORKMUNS.
95
delighted than the rest, appeared with his horse
sinking under a load of bread, which he distributed
in cakes to every one he met, with this remark: —
" Take this, it is good in the sight of God: take it
you are a guest and a stranger." It was impossible
to look on such scenes with an eye of indifference ;
and could I but give in more graphic language the
scenes of this day among the Toorkmuns, it would
excite the warmest emotion : and yet I speak of the
lawless Toorkmuns, who plunder and desolate the
land: so true is it, that the character of mankind is
made up of the most glaring inconsistencies and
contradictions.
The Khan whom I had accompanied, was now
busily engaged in the duties of his new occupation.
He was the harbinger of good news to the Toork-
muns : for they, who plunder every one, had been
themselves plundered by the Mazenderan troops,
who had proceeded to join the army through their
territories. The prince had ordered a register of
their losses to be communicated; and our Khan
moved from camp to camp as a welcome visiter.
I continued with him for four days, which I passed
in pleasing observation of Toorkmun habits and
customs. No opportunity could have been more
favourable to the purpose, since we were every-
where well received by them; and I appeared in
the suite of a great man. The tribe of Goklan
Toorkmuns is subject to Persia, which has asserted
its supremacy for the last thirty-six years. Their
allegiance is unwilling, but it is complete; for they
have exchanged the habits of rapine for the peaceful