3-028-792 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Threateners of Teheran: three young Bakhtiaris, 1909. '...men who may capture the Shah; supporters of the Bakhtiari who seeks to become ruler of Persia. Taking advantage of the general situation in Persia, the Bakhtiari, a mountain race from the south-west of Persia, have made their long-expected movement, and a few days ago were at the gates of Teheran. According to Mr. Perceval Landon (writing in the "Telegraph") "it needed but the simplest recognition of Asiatic methods and moods to realise that for whatever purpose the Bakhtiaris were marching upon the capital of Persia, it was assuredly not with the aim of spreading the principles of the ballot-box among the Shiite sons of Islam....Persia being in the existing state of chaos, the capture of Teheran means the capture also of the Shah". With particular regard to our Illustration, the "givas," the footwear of the young Bakhtiaris should be noted. They are characteristic of Persia. The soles are made of scraps of old rag, boiled, then stitched together, and finally hammered until they have gained the consistency of horn'. From "Illustrated London News", 1909.