Vassili Verestchagin; Painter-Soldier-Traveller Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... towards its close, oa account of the constant fighting that went on there; no sooner was one war ended than another began. It was in the Kashgar quarter of the town that I took up my abode. My host was a fine specimen of an Usbek, but many of my neighbours had strongly marked Chinese features. The Afghans, who are much less numerous, nearly all live in a caravanserai which is exclusively occupied by them. They are mostly merchants, or rather smugglers, who are very skilful in bringing green tea, which is largely grown in Central Asia, through India and so into Eussia. In spite of the great detour they succeed in selling their tea cheaper than that which comes direct by way of Kiakhta in Siberia. The Persians are distinguished by their intelligence. In the khanates that are still independent it is to them that the most important and delicate functions are assigned. In Eussian Turkestan, where they once were slaves, they are now free citizens, as Eussia of course tolerates no slavery in her dominions. In Tashkend they form an important part of the population; their numbers are considerable, and in their new home they generally tend to merge themselves in the Sarts. They belong to the Shiite sect, and thus have a deeprooted hostility to the general body of the Mussulmans of Central Asia, who are chiefly Sunnites. This difference of sect, however, does not prevent them from frequenting the Sunnite mosques. Are they honest in so doing? Time will show. The Sarts meanwhile have little trust in these sons of the sworn enemies of the Sunnite faith. I remember how a citizen of Tashkend once said to me with a smile, 'This dog goes to our mosques, but only to throw dust in our eyes. When he is at home again he says a different prayer.' The Arabs are...