A NARRATIVE OF THE AFFGHAN WAR,

In a Series of Letters of the late Colonel Dennie, C.B., Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry Regiment, Aid-de-Camp to the Queen.

PART II-CONCLUSION.

WE closed our article last month-our readers will recollect-by a description of the assault and capture of Ghuznee; alluding to the occupation of Cabool, and the restoration of Shah Soojah to his long lost throne. We may now be excused for interrupting the onward and direct course of this relation, by giving a hasty sketch of the Affghans and their classic land, their origin and early history, and a brief view of those events which preceded, and from which in part originated, this expedition west of the Indus.

The geographical relations of the kingdom of Cabool*-of which Affghanistan may be considered a province-were, at an earlier date, of much wider extent than at the present day. The country lying between Persia on the west, and Indostan on the east, and stretching northwards from the Indian Ocean to the confines of Tartary, including Bokhara and Budakshan, were, until comparatively speaking, a modern period, comprehended within the limits of the kingdom of Cabool. Now, however, these boundaries are far more confined: the provinces of the Punjab, Beloochistan, Bokhara, and Scinde, asserted, and gradually gained their independence, until the limits of the entire kingdom became almost coincident with those of one of its provinces, Affghanistan-a fact sufficiently indicated at the present day by the indiscriminate, or indifferent use of either name, Affghanistan or Cabool, to denominate territories lying within boundaries so nearly identical. Affghanistan may be roughly stated to include all the high lands of Cabool west of the Soliman range of mountains to Persia, and lying between 30 and 34 degrees north latitude.

The name Affghanistan, the origin of which is but hypothetical, is seldom or never employed by the natives of this country. When speaking generally, they call themselves Pooshtaneh: hence Patan, the name by which the Affghans ar known throughout Indostan.

In the government and social condition of this people, many striking peculiarities are manifest, when contrasted with the Hindoos on the one hand, and the Persians on the other. Their independent and warlike character, their nominally monarchical, but more really patriarchal government, sufficiently distinguish them from either of those eastern races.

The Affghans are subdivided into numerous independent tribes, the organi zation of which is intricate and complicated. The following, however, will serve to give a clear general idea of the manner in which their social and legislative combinations are formed. The union of several families, by ties of real or supposed consanguinity, constitutes what is called an Ooloos. This is governed by a Khan, who is chosen from the oldest family in the Ooloos, in war appearing as its leader, and in peace bearing the office of magistrate and representative. When several Oolooses unite, the confederacy is termed a Khail-a union, however, which among many tribes is obsolete. The next combination may be termed a Tribe, which is formed by the union of several Khails; and the whole is under the rule of a common sovereign, who obtains, and maintains his throne more by the physical strength of his tribe than absolute right of possession, by inheritance, or otherwise. The Khans, uniting, form what is called a Jeergah, which is not only a judicial but a legislative court. Their religion is a sect of the Mohammedan.

The Affghans are intensely attached to their country and their clan, and take

*To those who desire to obtain a correct idea of this and the neighbouring countries, the maps Nos. 75 and 80, published by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, are recommended, as being cheap and excellent.

a pride in reciting their genealogies, counting no man a true Affghan who cannot trace his descent through six generations at least.

Their character is thus summed up by Elphinstone:-" On the one hand, they are revengeful, avaricious, rapacious, and obstinate; on the other, they are fond of liberty, faithful to their friends, kind to their dependants, hospitable, brave, hardy, frugal, laborious, and prudent; and they are less disposed than the nations in their neighbourhood to falsehood, intrigue, and deceit.”

The most powerful tribe among the Affghans, and by far the most interesting in every respect, is called by the name Dooranee. These people inhabit the western, and central portions of Affghanistan, and, until about a century ago, bore the name of Abdalli Affghans, when Amed Shah, the founder of the present dynasty, gave to them the title they now possess. This powerful tribe consists of nine Khails, of which the Populzye and Barukzye are alone worthy of note here. In the former is the Ooloos of the Suddozyes, to a family of which Shah Soojah belongs, and to the latter Dost Mahomed claims kindred. The Dooranees are not only the most powerful of the Affghan tribes, but they are also the most civilized,-possessing all the virtues of the inhabitants in an eminent degree, with far less of their vices. Herat and Candahar are their principal cities.

Next in importance are the Giljhies, who border the Dooranees on the east. For a long time they possessed the regal power, but were engaged in constant struggles with the Dooranees to maintain their claim to the throne of Cabool. The right of monarchy was, however, finally wrested from them by Amed Shah, the celebrated Dooranee chief, in whose family the royal inheritance is now vested. Cabool, Ghuznee, and Jellalabad are the principal Giljhian cities.

The tribes more easterly still are included amongst the Berdooranees, who inhabit the north-eastern parts of Affghanistan. The most remarkable Khails among them are the Eusofzyes and the Khyberees, who are notorious as being the worst of the Affghans. The latter possess all the hills and valleys under the Hindoo-Koosh, from the Suffaid-Koh to the Indus. The Khyberees are professional robbers and plunderers, which occupation the nature of their country especially favours. They levy a toll on all who may require the use of their defile, and were paid a large sum by Nadir Shah for the unmolested passage of his armies through the pass which bears their name.

These are the most remarkable tribes in Affghanistan. There are numerous others, however, who are so insignificant,—at least in connexion with our present purpose, that even a recital of their names would be a superfluous task.

The remote origin of this people is obscure. However, it now appears to be satisfactorily established that Bokhara and Affghanistan were, so early as the eighth century before Christ, inhabited by the Medes; and that Zoroaster here first promulgated his religio-political doctrines, which, spreading with surprising rapidity, concentrated and civilized all the surrounding tribes and nations in its progress, until, finally establishing itself in Persia, it gave to that nation a creed and a monarchy.*

The traditions and records of the Affghans all assert their Israelitish origin; and although these accounts are mixed up with many absurd fables, and contain many anachronisms, yet a foundation in fact is not wanting to give support to the story. They maintain that they are the descendants of Saul, the king of Israel; and, like all Mahommedans, relate the Jewish history from Abraham down to the captivity; asserting that, after the captivity, part of this people withdrew to the mountains of Ghore-the western Hindoo Koosh-and part to Arabia; and that when Mohammed appeared they became his followers. this relation there are many circumstances,—not introduced here,—which, if permitted to have absolute weight in the matter, must decide the question of their Israelitish origin in the negative. Considerable allowances, however, must be made for the inaccuracies and absurdities which appear to be the inse

In

* Researches into the Politics, &c., of Ancient Nations, by A. H. L. Heeren, Professor of History in Gottingen.

parable accompaniments of tradition. The Scripture account of the captivity, alluded to in the Affghan records, is given in the seventeenth chapter of the second book of Kings, the sixth verse of which is as follows:-" In the ninth year of Hosea, (king of Israel, B. C. 721,) the king of Assyria (Shalmanezer) took Samaria, (after a siege of three years,) and carried away Israel into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and Habor, by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes." Since then no definite traces of the lost tribes of Israel have been discovered, until we hear of the modern Affghan laying claim to their title and descent—a claim which, if not quite sound, rests, at least, on no slight foundation.

In a history of the revolution of Persia, or rather the conquest of that country by the Affghans, in the year 1722, from the memoirs of Father Krusinski, procurator of the Jesuits at Ispahan, their origin is thus given :

"The Aghvans, (for such is the orthography of the name throughout the work,) who were originally of the province Szyrvan, which was anciently called Great Albania, and situate between the Caspian Sea and Mount Caucasus, were formerly subdued by Tamerlane, who, in order to keep them in greater subjection, placed them between Persia and the Indus. "Tis said they were anciently Christians of the Armenian sect, but that they turned Mohammedans from want of their priests and doctors, whom Tamerlane took away from them that they might sooner embrace that religion."+ This, however, appears to refer to a more recent period.

From these relations it is manifest that, whatever may have been the origin of the Affghan nation, they must at the present day be looked upon as a mixed people, having among them traces perhaps of the seed of Abraham, and records of that favoured race; both, however, obscured, perverted, and confused by amalgamation with the blood, and fables of those Gentile nations with whom either in war or peace they intermingled.

It is, however, a fact, universally admitted, that the mountains of the HindooKoosh, and Soliman range were inhabited at a very remote period by these people, who, like all mountain tribes, preserved that independence which was so frequently lost and won by their brethren of the plains.

Little of interest is known of the history of this country until the year 330, B. C., when Alexander the Great, flushed with the success of his arms in Persia, turned the tide of his conquests to this country and India. A mere enumeration of the names of those provinces and towns through which he passed, and a reference, for more accurate information on this subject, to any biographical record of this mighty conqueror, are all that these limits will permit.

The first city of this country he marched towards was Artacoana, the site of the modern Herat. He crossed the Helmund to Candahar, which it is supposed he founded, calling it by his own name, Alexandria. He passed over the Hindoo-Koosh amid privations and hardships, which we may believe our unfortunate troops have so lately appreciated, and in the year 329, B. C., arrived in Bactria, the modern Bokhara,‡ making himself master of several of its cities, at one of which-Bactra, the modern Balkh-in a drunken revel he slew his friend Cleitus. In 327, B. C., having again scaled the lofty mountains of the Hindoo-Koosh, he arrived at Alexandria after a hasty march, whence he set out on his expedition to India. He crossed the river Indus at Attock, and passed through the Punjab with the intention of enriching his army with the plundered wealth of India; but his soldiers worn out by fatigue, famine, and disease, and such formidable enemies appearing at every step, he was compelled to relinquish this

* See Gibbon's "Decline and Fall," &c., chapter lxv., paragraph 6.

To support this account, the worthy father adds the following curious remark: As to their name, that alone seems to justify what is said of their origin with respect to Albania; for as in the Arminian tongue our letter is changed into gh, and our b into v, so from the word Albans is formed Aghvans." We fear this derivation is somewhat far-fetched.

His memory is still preserved in Bokhara, by a priest being appointed to read in public the deeds of Iskander the Great.

design, and make the Hyphasis, or Sutlege, the boundary of his eastern conquests; and, dropping down the Indus, he returned back, mortified and subdued, through Gedrosia or Beloochistan, to Persia.

The subsequent history of Affghanistan, until the establishment of Mohammedanism, is comparatively of little interest. During their religious wars with the Arabs, they lost the government of the country; but ultimately succeeded, after a long series of struggles, in throwing off the Ishmaelitish yoke.

In the year 1000 the brilliant career of Mahmood of Ghuznee commenced. He was son of the Governor of Khorassan and Bokhara; and, for having rendered a signal service to the Caliph, his master, was rewarded with the government of Cabool. However, gaining an increase of strength and power, he subdued the Persian provinces, and made Ghuznee his capital, which he enriched with the plunder of his annual Indian invasions; and the countries from Persia to the Ganges, including Bokhara, acknowledged his sway, and paid him tribute. He died in 1030 at Ghuznee, where his tomb at the present day forms a striking object, and his memory is preserved by a priest reading daily the Koran over the grave of the conqueror.

In the century succeeding his death, disorder prevailed throughout the kingdom, until a descendant of one of the Affghan princes overthrew the Guznevide dynasty, dethroned the king, and reduced his city to ashes. The Affghans now added considerably to their empire by conquest, and in the twelfth century founded the Patan, or Affghan kingdom of Delhi. But while intent on extending and strengthening their possessions east of the Indus, their own land became a prey to Genjhis Khan and his numerous Tartar hordes, under whom the Mogul dynasty was established in Affghanistan.

In the latter part of the fourteenth century the invincible Timur, or Tamerlane, appeared, to whose all-powerful arms this country soon became a prey. He conquered Persia, made numerous excursions into India, and, seizing upon the Affghan kingdom of Delhi, extended his dominions even to the Ganges. Egypt bowed before him; and thence advancing into Europe, he pushed his successful arms up to the very walls of Moscow itself. But his power, which was so quickly established, was not destined to be permanent; and his death was soon followed by the Affghan tribes again assuming their independence.

In the year 1483, in Bokhara, his descendant, the Sultan Baber, was born. So early as his twelfth year did his turbulent career commence; and after many vicissitudes, he was forced to fly into exile and concealment among the mountains of Tartary. He next appeared as a conqueror; and, having advanced upon Cabool, took possession of that city after a short siege, and made it his capital. Here he recruited his armies with Affghan troops, and proceeded, like his predecessors, to the conquest of Indostan. This he effected, and, having returned to Cabool, occupied the last days of his life in improving the internal condition of his adopted country. His tomb at the present day at Cabool forms an object of veneration to the natives, and of attraction to the curious.

After his death (A.D., 1530) the Affghans again recovered their independence. But the Persians now assumed their short-lived possession of the country. The two great Affghan tribes, the Dooranees (or, as they were then called, the Abdallees) and Giljhies, drove them from all their cities, and, in 1722, Mahomed, a chief of the latter, advancing into Persia, seized on Ispahan, and, having expelled the monarch, mounted the Persian throne. His reign was but of short duration : he was slain by the hands of some of his own house, and his successor saw the termination of the Affghan rule in Persia. A child was born to an obscure tradesman, a serf of the exiled house of Persia, called Nadir Kouli, who, on arriving at man's estate, devoted himself to the restoration of the monarchy. He proclaimed Tamasp, son of the deposed Persian king, as sovereign; and having, in the year 1727, raised a body of five thousand men, advanced at their head, with the determination of driving the Affghans out of the kingdom. His successes were so great, that in two years few of that people remained in Persia, and Tamasp was restored to his paternal throne. For these services

See Gibbon, chapter lxv., paragraph 4.

his sovereign presented Nadir with four of the finest provinces of his kingdom. But his popularity soon enabled him to seize the Persian throne itself, and he was proclaimed king on the 26th February, 1736. He then directed his conquests into Affghanistan, commencing with the invasion of Candahar, which he took, and, marching upon Delhi, conquered it also.

But the close of the reign of Nadir Shah was marked by extreme cruelty. His eldest son, who had frequently distinguished himself by his bravery, was blinded by his father's orders; and, on one occasion, suspecting the fidelity of his Persian soldiery, he formed the diabolical design of putting them to death. The conspiracy, however, was discovered by some Persian officers, and his assassination paid the penalty of his treachery. His army was dispersed, and the Affghans, who formed a large portion of it, under the guidance of Amed, a khan of the Abdalli Afghans, and of the Suddozye family, returned to their native lands, laden with treasures plundered from their late masters. man, supported by the Barukzye chiefs, was crowned king of all the Affghans, and assumed the title of Dooranee,* which his tribe have since borne. He added the Punjab and Cashmere to his dominions, subdued Khorassan and the kingdom of Balkh, and succeeded in making Scinde, and Beloochistan tributary to the throne of Cabool.

This

He died in 1773, and was succeeded by his son, Timour Shah, who, having reigned ingloriously for twenty years, died, leaving behind him a numerous progeny, of which his sons Humaioon, Zeman, Mahmood, Soojah, and Eyoob were the most remarkable.

At his father's death, the eldest son, Humaioon, Khan of Candahar, attempted to have himself crowned king of the Affghans. But his brother Zeman, supported by the chiefs of the Barukzye khail, had already seized the vacant throne of Cabool, and, advancing at the head of a large army against his elder brother, routed his forces, and, having taken Humaioon prisoner, incapacitated him for ever wielding an eastern sceptre, by depriving him of both his eyes. Zeman now feeling himself secure on the throne of Cabool, led his victorious arms into the adjacent kingdoms, overran the Punjab, and, in 1797, advanced at the head of a powerful force, for the purpose of invading the British possessions in India. The Indian government immediately organized an army to oppose his advance; but circumstances occurring at home diverted Zeman from this project, and recalled him hence without having struck a single blow. His brother Mahmood, Khan of Herat, had organized a conspiracy to deprive him of his hereditary kingdom of Khorassan, inducing the Persian monarch to espouse his cause. This project, however, was unsuccessful: Zeman, rushing with his hosts from his meditated invasion of Indostan, overthrew all opposition, dispersed the combined forces of his enemies, and again returned, with increased power, to the Punjab. He there reduced all the rajahs into submission, and among them Runjeet Singh, nominating him to the governorship of Lahore, and making that province subject and tributary to his crown. On his return home, however, having incurred the displeasure of the Barukzye chiefs, a conspiracy was formed against him for his destruction; but its timely discovery enabled him to seize the principal conspirators, who were all immediately beheaded. But the sons of one of his victims (one of whom is Dost Mahomed) were bent on revenging their father's death. For this purpose, the eldest of these, Futteh Khan, immediately joined himself with Mahmood, Zeman's third brother, and, mustering a large army, totally routed the Cabool forces and having taken Zeman prisoner, had him blinded, and placed in confinement; he was shortly released, and has since lived in comparative ease and comfort. Mahmood then mounted the throne of Cabool; but he was constantly employed in suppressing the insurrections raised by his brother Soojah, our late minion, which terminated in his being obliged to relinquish it in the latter's favour.† But this position he was destined not long to enjoy. Mah

* Door-i-Doorin-"Pearl of all pearls."

It was now (1809) that Elphinstone's embassy arrived at the court of Soojan, but left it without having obtained the object of the mission.