Early Persian military reforms were influenced by the reformed Ottoman army (NEZAM-E JADID), under the Ottoman Sultan SELIM III. In Persia, the 1807 'first French mission', was followed by British military instructors, and Persian students abroad, to developed a new regular infantry and artillery corps. The "infantry’s uniform during the first years of British influence remained the same as previously introduced by the French, who in their own way had indeed managed to 'Europeanize' the early regular soldiers appearence" [1]. "This is shown by the earliest descriptions and illustrations presented by Drouville (1812-1813): The uniform consists of a green cloth coat with red collar and cuffs, yellow buttons, wide pants of cotton, and boots" [2]. Soldier's sashes were typically red, however white has also been noted.

Persian soldiers adopted a blue (faded to light blue) French army buttoned shell-jacket. The line regiments soldiers' and officers' jackets were generally blue/light blue. However, other uniform colours - yellow, dark green, dark blue, and red have been noted. This may be similar to the Ottoman uniforms of the same period - where each regiment had a distictive uniform colour, as well as facing colours. Captain P. N. Yermolov, investigating the state of the Persian army, in 1817 wrote, "Persian infantry is clothed in cloth jackets, of different colors for each battalion (many battalions are clothed in red), the collar and cuffs are of a different color than the coat." [3]

From 1810-1813, the British mission, appear to have introduced:

• Large shoulder roles (these were worn likely till 1830).
• Officers wore British Army waist sashes.
• British-pattern yellow NCO sleeve chevrons (discussed below).

In 1817, the uniforms received from British:

• Shoulder wings appeared.
• The use of wide chest tape-stripes.
• After 1817, shoulder straps without wings were used sometimes.
• Officers, were provided with gold epaulets of British, later Russian -styled epaulets

A uniquely Persian version of the cloth shoulder-strap was developed in this period which ended in a large diamond, with a fringe, which draped over the shoulder.

Persian soldiers in winter were "given a kind of short cloak of very thick woolen material, the outside of which is a shaggy fleece like a goat’s, the Georgians and Circassians call this a "burka", and the Persians - an "yepanchei"). All leather equipment is white; and the majority of muskets are English." [4]

As part of the new uniform Persian soldiers, adapted the traditional tall Persian black sheepskin hat (called a TELPEK). This was shaped like a tall truncated cone. Modern research states these were about 30cm/12inches high [5]. However, period illustration show versions clearly much higher than this, and clearly crumpled over, indicating that there was little internal framing, other than the wool lining, that was shown at the top of the hat. The color patch at the top (which is the wool cloth lining of the cap), was generally red, however white was also used.

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[1] [2] [3] [4] Aleksandr Kibovskii and Vadim Yegorov [Translated by Mark Conrad, 1998]. The Persian Regular Army of the First Half of the 19th Century. Part 1, Tseikhgauz [Zeughaus], No. 5, 1996: 20-25. ISSN0868-801X

[5] Comparatively, a British grenadier's cap, from the base of the hat to the highest point is 43cm (17 in). 

The Music Corps wore red coats, with several yellow lace chevrons up the sleeves. Other distictions included:

• White cap cords added to the traditional tall Persian black sheepskin hat (TELPEK).
• Drums were painted yellow (or may have been made from brass), and red drum-hoops are sometimes illustrated (and these may have also remained brass).

In 1817, the musicians were dressed in yellow jackets, with lace on the seams and arms, white cords on their caps, with a tassel hanging over the right shoulder.

In the 1830s, the Nezam Infantry, in the Azerbaijan consisted:

• 12,000 infantry.
• Divided into 10 Iranian and two Russian regiments.
• The Russian regiments were composed of deserters, mainly from the Russian army in Georgia. They were well-paid soldiers who fought well, and the Shah placed particular trust in them when facing internal rebellion or religious disaffection.

By 1830, large red fabric (French-style) epaulettes are used.

• As well, another unique Persian version, made completely from metal (including the epaulette fringe simulated in sheet metal).
• More senior officers, wore versions set with precious gemstones, and rock cut crystal.
• Senior officer's "frock coat" appeared in the 1830s and was usually red, with 'Russian' gold embroidery.

The 1830s Russian regiments were described as a guard regiment in 1837.

• Uniformed with red coats with light blue facing colour, with a single row of buttons. Dark green trousers with red side-stripes were worn,
• The Russian soldiers wore a "red KIVER (Russian) shako, with small hair plume"; an 1835, description of the Russian battalion, states - "heavy shakos, with high green plumes" [1] [2].

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[1] Persian soldiers were largely expected to manufacture their own uniforms in the first-half of the 19th century, and the Russian infantry of the time were no different, when it came to uniform maintenance, as many collectors have noted expert repair work to period uniforms in Russia.

[2] It can be expected that the Russian infantry themselves modified 1830s Russian KIVER shakos, recovering these in red cloth and well as fitting these with cast Persian lion and sun badges, and green wool shako- ‘pom-pom’ plumes. 

In 1812-1813, the artillerymen uniforms consisted of a dark-blue (Prussian) dolman, discribed as "similar to a British Royal Horse Artillery dolman" [1], with red collar and lapels [2], and with yellow cords. They wore wide white pants, white leather crossbelts, and  traditional tall Persian black sheepskin hat (called a TELPEK), toped with a red wool shako- ‘pom-pom’ plume.

The top-row tape decoration on the dolman collar, had many small buttons attached running alond the tape. The same button/tape is used on the cuff decoration, with a heavy wide gilt tape chevron. These may indicate the NCO rank (see discussion below)

Introduced in 1810-1813, were six-pounder (single trail) field guns. However, these were likely arriving as early as 1806, from the Bengal East Indian Company [3]. These were organised into two, or three-gun batteries [4]. The gun carriages were painted black [5].

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[1] Aleksandr Kibovskii and Vadim Yegorov [Translated by Mark Conrad, 1998]. The Persian Regular Army of the First Half of the 19th Century. Part 1, Tseikhgauz [Zeughaus], No. 5, 1996: 20-25. ISSN0868-801X

[2] The red lapels COULD BE A MISS-TRANSLATION FROM THE ORIGINAL RUSSIAN, AND ACTUALLY BE REFERRING TO THE JACKET CUFFS.

[3] Brass field 6-pounders produced by the Bengal East Indian Company (Fort William at Calcutta) in 1806.

[4] These guns and crews/batteries are illustrated in the '1815-1816 painting of Persian Military Review with Fath Ali Shah and Abbas Mirza'.

[5] As well, in another 1815/1816 painting of the Battle Between Persians and Russians

In 1817, the "zamburechki" (cannoneers) were "dressed in dark-blue coats with red collars, cut in the European style with tails, wide cotton trousers and boots. On the head they had a red conical cap. Over the shoulder was throw match cord" [1]. However, illustations show the "zamburechki" (cannoneers) wearing brown (rather than the Prussian blue) dolman, with wide chest tape-stripes in gold tape.

The 'zanburak': Described in 1810, as a falconet-sized swivel gun, firing a 1/2-pound ball.

• This was as mounted/attached to a camel's pack-saddle, and taken-off for firing.
• The saddle was used as the gun mount on the ground (illustrated - Right).
• A small red flag, and pole was carried to indicate the gun was in use.

The Zamburek/falconets of very small calibre, and fitted with a heavy wooden stock, were also used. These -Zamburek/Guns, were also swivel mounted, however, did not need to be taken off the camels, during firing. The animals simply rested on their knees. The saddle arch for fitting the Zamburek/falconets, and the Zamburek/Guns was bound in iron so as to withstand the recoil of firing.

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[1] Khorasani, Maouchehr, Mosthagh (2009), Persian Firepower: Artillery. Classic Arms and Militaria, Volume XVII Issue 2, pp.21).

Congreve Rocket Batteries were introduced by the British from India in 1810-1813 [1].

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[1] Khorasani, Maouchehr, Mosthagh (2009), Persian Firepower: Artillery. Classic Arms and Militaria, Volume XVII Issue 2, pp.21).

The regular cavalry regiment/brigade - NIZAM-ATLI [1]:

• Four squadrons armed with lances. The lance carried a European-styled scarlet swallow-tailed flag.
• One squadron armed with carbines.

Uniform of the lancers consists of a light-blue cloth coat with red collar and cuffs and white cross belts; and the national hat. By 1840, the lancers were using black sheepskin shabracks bound in coloured dragons-teeth. As well, the jackets are clearly cut with short tails.

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[1] Aleksandr Kibovskii and Vadim Yegorov [Translated by Mark Conrad, 1998]. The Persian Regular Army of the First Half of the 19th Century. Part 1, Tseikhgauz [Zeughaus], No. 5, 1996: 20-25. ISSN0868-801X

Above - By 1837, the Company-grade officers are distinguished from soldiers by a thin crimson silk sash [1]. The NCO ranks in 1817 [2]:

• VEKILS (Sergeants): Three yellow cloth chevrons on their sleeves.
• MUBASHIRS (Supply NCO): Two chevrons.
• DAKHBASHS (Corpora): One chevron.

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[1] [2] Aleksandr Kibovskii and Vadim Yegorov [Translated by Mark Conrad, 1998]. The Persian Regular Army of the First Half of the 19th Century. Part 1, Tseikhgauz [Zeughaus], No. 5, 1996: 20-25. ISSN0868-801X

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[1] Aleksandr Kibovskii and Vadim Yegorov [Translated by Mark Conrad, 1998]. The Persian Regular Army of the First Half of the 19th Century. Part 1, Tseikhgauz [Zeughaus], No. 5, 1996: 20-25. ISSN0868-801X