Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 3) (London, 1835)

of the present chief may be viewed as tolerably
well consolidated: his measures are vigorous.

The Meer of Koondooz owes much of his influ-
ence to the policy which he has pursued towards
those whom he has subjected. He retains the
former chiefs in authority, but stipulates for a con-
tingent of troops, and the maintenance of a portion
of his own in the country, at their expense. He
thus increases his strength, and provides for the
protection of his newly acquired conquests, without
danger of revolt. His united forces amount to'
about 20,000 horse, and six pieces of artillery, one
of which is a thirty-six pounder. He has no infantry,
for the Uzbeks despise that branch of an army, and
know as little of the use of cannon, though the
possession of guns seems to secure a victory. I
must, however, mention, to the credit of the chief,
that he has dragged the great gun to Sarbagh, fifty
miles into Hindoo Koosh. This piece of ordnance
was brought from Persia by Nadir Shah, who took
the route of Meshid, Shurukhs, and Meimuna, to
Balkh, — a practical proof of the goodness of the
road, and the calibre by which it may be traversed.
The cavalry carry spears of an unwieldy size; some
have matchlocks, but a great part are ill armed
and accoutred, though superior to those who oppose
them. He supports these troops by an allowance
of grain, and retains the commanders, and a portion
of the men, in constant attendance upon his person.
Moorad Beg leads a life of great activity, and takes
the field in person ; he constantly sends his horse
on excursions of plunder and capture, (as they are

T 3