DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31772#0135
CHAPTER VII.
THE ARMY — ARTILLERY — JEMADAR DADKHWAH — INFANTRY — TAIFURCHIS — CHINESE
CORPS AT DRILL — ARMY SYSTEM —KASHGHARIS —FOOD SUPPLY — TRANSPORT —
ANNUAL VISIT OF GOVERNORS TO THE CAPITAL—KHOTEN REVENUE—JADE—
CHINA TEA TRADE—POLITICAL SYSTEM—SEVERITY OF THE LAWS—SHEEP AND
CATTLE STEALING — THE AMIR’S PERSONAL GOVERNMENT — MISSION LEAVES
KASHGHxVR—ARRIVES AT YANGI HISSAR—YAKUB, THE POLISH DESERTER.
We had opportunities during our stay at Kashghar of seeing
the aregular forcesthere, which clouhtlessly well represented
the character and condition of the Amir’s army clistributed
throughout his territory, to Khoten on the south ancl Turfan
on the east. The army is divided into artillery, Taifurchis,
ancl infantry. There is no cavalry in our acceptation of the
term; a great proportion of the infantry is mountecl, but
they dismount to use their arms, ancl the use of the sworcl on
horseback is not understood or ever practised. On one occasion,
during our stay at the capital, a display of “ tent-pegging ” and
turnip slicing, with spear ancl sabre, by the expert troopers of
our guicle corps escort showecl the Andijanis ancl Kashgaris how
far behincl their warlike neighbours they are in that respect.
Artillery is little understood by the Uzbegs, though they
have an immense respect for that arm. Hinclustanis and
Affghans are much sought after as artillerymen, some of those
now serving having been in our Inclian army, or that of the
Maharajah of Kashmir, and made their way to Kashghar as a
place that offered many aclvantages to adventurous spirits, ancl
N
THE ARMY — ARTILLERY — JEMADAR DADKHWAH — INFANTRY — TAIFURCHIS — CHINESE
CORPS AT DRILL — ARMY SYSTEM —KASHGHARIS —FOOD SUPPLY — TRANSPORT —
ANNUAL VISIT OF GOVERNORS TO THE CAPITAL—KHOTEN REVENUE—JADE—
CHINA TEA TRADE—POLITICAL SYSTEM—SEVERITY OF THE LAWS—SHEEP AND
CATTLE STEALING — THE AMIR’S PERSONAL GOVERNMENT — MISSION LEAVES
KASHGHxVR—ARRIVES AT YANGI HISSAR—YAKUB, THE POLISH DESERTER.
We had opportunities during our stay at Kashghar of seeing
the aregular forcesthere, which clouhtlessly well represented
the character and condition of the Amir’s army clistributed
throughout his territory, to Khoten on the south ancl Turfan
on the east. The army is divided into artillery, Taifurchis,
ancl infantry. There is no cavalry in our acceptation of the
term; a great proportion of the infantry is mountecl, but
they dismount to use their arms, ancl the use of the sworcl on
horseback is not understood or ever practised. On one occasion,
during our stay at the capital, a display of “ tent-pegging ” and
turnip slicing, with spear ancl sabre, by the expert troopers of
our guicle corps escort showecl the Andijanis ancl Kashgaris how
far behincl their warlike neighbours they are in that respect.
Artillery is little understood by the Uzbegs, though they
have an immense respect for that arm. Hinclustanis and
Affghans are much sought after as artillerymen, some of those
now serving having been in our Inclian army, or that of the
Maharajah of Kashmir, and made their way to Kashghar as a
place that offered many aclvantages to adventurous spirits, ancl
N