'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎175] (230/905)

CHAP. VIII.]
CUSTOMS OF THE AFGHANS.
175
The Afghans are proud and vindictive; yet, notwithstand
ing much avarice and cupidity, and, as the natural consequence
of those vices, a disposition to plunder (whenever it can be
indulged beyond their immediate precincts), they are of an
open, lofty deportment, and possess a martial, enterprising
spirit abroad, with a sober, industrious, hospitable disposition
at home. Within the precincts of their khails, custom has
made it an imperative duty, founded on a point of honour,
not only to be kind to a stranger, but likewise to answer in
the affirmative the appeal even of an enemy for protection.
The request being once granted, according to the Pushtan-
walle, or usage of the Afghans, the life of the bitterest foe is
secure whilst he remains in the territory.
The Pushtanah (as the Afghans call themselves) are com- Their origin,
posed of a multitude of different tribes, having one common
origin; but, according to tradition, they are descended from
Afghan, the son of Irmia, or Berkia, son of Saul, king of
Israel; and all their histories begin by an account of the
Jews from Abraham down to the captivity. 1
The government in each tribe is purely patriarchal; the Government of
head of each family is responsible for the conduct of its mem- the tnbe8 '
bers; and ten of these, under a chief, called Speer, or elder
(literally, whitebeard), form the first link in the scale.
Again, ten or twelve elders and their followers are subject to
a Cundeedacer, or head of the quarter, or division, who is the
representative of their common ancestor; several Cundeedacers
form a subdivision, which is subject to the chief of the whole
(who is called Mullick, or Mooshir, sage) ; several of these
sections compose a division, whose chief is selected from the
oldest family in it. An uncertain number of such divisions
compose a khai'l, 8 which, when separate, is called an Oolooss
(nearly like a clan), and is under a khan, who is generally
chosen by the king from the oldest family in the oolooss;
and to this individual, assisted by a council (called a Jerga),
which is composed of the heads of divisions, belongs the in
ternal government of the country, under the control, however,
1 Elphinstone's Kdbul, pp. 152 to 155.
a Arab., khyle, a band, or assemblage.