"مجلد I مذكرات بخصوص بلاد فارس والمنطقة الحدودية الشمالية الغربية. ١٩٠٥." [ظ‎‎١‎٠‎٨] (٣١٠/٢٢١)

[ 6 ]
for May), as it possesses a good climate,
has ample water, and is well adapted for
military requirements, being a position of
some natural strength. The place is to
have a palace for the residence of the
Amir, a fort, and accommodation for 12,000
troops. It is also to he connected with Mazar-i-
Sharif, Kataghan, Jalalabad, Kabul, and
Ghazni by good roads, which will enable
troops to be thrown into any of those places
in a short time. Plans of the works have
already been submitted to His Highness for
approval.
The Amir, while in Kohistan, is said to
have experienced slight pains from gout from
time to time, but was effectively treated
by Dr. Ghulam Nabi, who recently entered
His Highness’ service from India. Ghulam
Nabi is consequently in high favour, and
accompanies the Amir everywhere, much to
the disgust of the native Bakims who are
jealous of him.
Miss Browne, M.D., who left Peshawar
with Major Cleveland, I.M.S., in October last
under an agreement with the Amir to take
up a medical appointment at Kabul (see
Journal for October 1904), returned to India
on the 27th July. Miss Browne’s sister,
who accompanied her, has also returned to
India.
Mr. Donovan, the Electrical Engineer in
the Amir’s service, passed through the Khyber,
en route to Kabul, in July.
The Amir has issued a proclamation to
the effect that all his Hindu subjects are in
future only to wear turbans of a light yellow
colour, and that any one found infringin 0 *
these orders will be fined 100 rupees.
Hitherto Hindus have been allowed to wear
turbans of any colour, except white.
The Amir has replied to the letter of the
British Agent about the removal of the guard
over his house and the exemption of the estab
lishment of the British Agency from the juris
diction of the Courts of the country (see last
Journal). His Highness has not said anythin
about removing the guard, but on the other
point says that the practice, in this matter,
which obtains in other countries, is not suitable
for Afghanistan j that the object in askin' 1 * for
a Muhammadan Agent to be posted to Kabul
was that he, and his establishment, should be
subject to the Muhammadan law; and that to
exempt them from its jurisdiction would cause
‘ dishonour to the Afghan Government ” ; and
as the “ free and independent King of Afghan
istan , he cannot permit it. The British A fir ent
has been instructed not to take any further
action in the matter at present, but to report
from time to time whether the guard over
his house is still maintained.