NARRATIVE OF VARIOUS JOURNEYS IN BALOCHISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, AND THE PANJAB 1826-1838 by Charles Masson
Volume 3 [140 of 332]
CHAPTER IX [3 of 11]
The pēsh-khāna was advanced to Killa Kāzī, and Abdūl Samad, with his battalion, directed to join it. The first fall of snow, after an interval of severely cold weather, had been followed by a second, and the prospects of the troops became daily more discouraging. In this conjuncture the sirdār convened his kowānīns, and prefacing that they might thank the Amīn al Mūlkh, and others, for their dilatoriness in complying with his demands, or he had certainly marched to Kāndahār in despite of snow, declared his resolution to take their advice, and proceed to Khūram. One of his dependents, Bahāwal Khān, Bārak Zai, was despatched to examine and report upon the state of the Kotal Pēhwār. This man on his return affirmed that the kotal was impracticable, and that some of his men had lost their toes from the severity of the frost. The sirdār then ordered his pēsh-khāna to be brought from Killa Kāzī, and to be fixed at Sīāh Sang, east of Kābal, and on the road to Jelālabād. His real purpose, which he had hitherto so industriously concealed, became apparent. was greatly disrelished by many. The Nawāb Jabār Khān was very sore, and, ostensibly, the sirdār’s brother, Amīr Māhomed Khān, disapproved of it. The nawāb, however, declined to remonstrate, observing, that if he said march, he made his nephews enemies; if he said, do not march, from previous transactions he should be suspected of intrigues with them; adding, with simulated humility, that he was a nūkar, or servant. The arch dissembler, Amīr Māhomed Khān, took a Korān in his hand, and presented himself before his brother, praying him not to march on Jelālabād, reminding him of the mutual oaths they had both taken to Māhomed Zemān Khān, and offering, if money was the object, to contribute three lakhs of rupees. The sirdar replied, that if twelve lakhs of rupees were proffered, he would refuse them, and march. Dost Māhomed Khān next called Hājī Khān to an interview, at which, besides himself and the khān, Amīr Māhomed Khān, and Mīrza Samī Khān were present. In a few words he informed the khān, that his evil deeds and his intentions were known and forgiven, that his person and property were respected, and that he had liberty to transport himself and his dependants wherever he pleased. Amīr Māhomed Khān, before Hājī Khān recovered from his surprise at this abrupt announcement, had taken off his turban and placed it at his feet, conjuring him not to reply. He then withdrew him from the meeting, protested that he considered him as a brother, and that if he disliked to regain in Dost Māhomed’s service he should share in his own fortune. Of course, this matter had been previously arranged between the two brothers. On the 21st of December the pēsh-khāna was advanced to Bhūt Khāk, where the battalion joined it, and soon after Dost Māhomed Khān left the city. He marched successively to Khūrd Kābal, Tezīn, Jigdillik, and Ishpān, in the Kobgānī district, a little west of Gandamak. Here he halted to allow the troops from Kābal to reach, which followed in detail, as was necessary on account of the inclement season and the scarcity of provender. The sirdār came with his battalion, the Ghūlam Khāna troops, and fourteen guns. Amīr Māhomed Khān, the Nawāb Jabār Khān, and Hājī Khān were yet in Kābal, where one of the sirdār’s sons, Māhomed Abram Khān, had been appointed governor. At Ishpān, famous in Afghān history for one of Shāh Sūjāh al Mūlkh’s discomfitures, the sirdār was close upon Māmā Khēl, the place to which Sūltān Māhomed Khān had advanced in the autumn. There resides Mīr Afzil Khān, eldest son of Akram Khān, Popal Zai, the vazīr of Shāh Sūjāh al Mūlkh, slain in the disaster at Nimla. Mīr Afzil Khān, bitterly inimical to Dost Māhomed Khān, was no doubt mixed up in the intrigues carrying on against him, but his cunning made him now, as at all other times, feign afflictions in his limbs. Aware that Dost Māhomed Khān was likely to pay him a visit, and to demand money—for he is reputed to be very rich—his ingenuity had provided against such a call, by an expedient worthy of the occasion. One night, while the sirdār was yet at Kābal, he employed men to rob his own castle. Holes were perforated in the walls, and in the morning carpets, felts, and utensils of all kinds were found scattered about. His wife, a daughter of the Vazīr Fatī Khān, immediately started for Kābal, and related to her brother the sad misfortune, and loss of all her jewels and valuable property; reviled Māhomed Zemān Khān for his lax exercise of authority, and prayed that the sirdār would use his influence to recover her wealth. He had difficulty to appease his voluble relative, but he was too shrewd not to perceive the manoeuvre put in play. He, however, forebore at this time to demand a contribution from Mīr Afzil Khān, aware that his wife would be forthcoming with the piteous tale of the robbery. The manner in which Mīr Afzil Khan acquired his useful lady may be told as characteristic of Fatī Khān, and also to his honour. When Akram Khān was cut down at Nimla, he recommended his family to the protection of his antagonist, saying, they might one day serve him. Fatī Khān subsequently inquired for Mīr Afzil Khān, and gave him his daughter in marriage. By this alliance the son was able to preserve much of his father’s property, although many lākhs of rupees were lost, being confided to Hindūs, who fled to Amratsir, where they are now capitalists. Mīr Afzil Khān lives secluded in a delightful locality at Māmā Khēl, where he has built castles and planted orchards and vineyards, but is supposed to be a reckless intriguer. His reputation is very bad, and very different from that of his father. He has a brother connected with Pīr Māhomed Khān of Peshāwer, alike distinguished for his intrigues, and qualities the opposite to amiable ones.