A falooda (فالودہ) stall in Kabul city, 1840 (c)

 

A falooda (فالودہ) stall in Kabul city (Afghanistan). The man on the left is a Hazara and is carrying snow, 1840 (c).

James Atkinson (the painter) writes:

"The stall where this delicacy is sold is very neatly and tastefully fitted up. A pillar of snow stands in one corner, a fountain plays behind it, while pots of flowers and loaves of sugar are arranged on either side. The month of May is the season for the Fulloodeh, which is a white jelly strained from whey, and drunk with sherbet and snow. So fond are the people of it that they call it “Rahut-i-jan,” or the solace of life, and in the hot season a draught of it si truly refreshing. One of the Huzzareh’s in the foreground is carrying snow for sale. In the winter these people collect it in pits, lined with chaff, where it is rammed down and covered over. When required during the summer, it is cut in pieces, and taken to market on men’s backs. Another with a pole slung over his shoulders supports a pile of earthenware vessels filled with butter-milk separated from each other by pieces of wood. A third holds a bag containing “root,” (dried curds pressed into hard lumps) some of which he is bargaining to exchange for bread with the baker’s boy seated near him."

Exterior of the tomb of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, 1840 (c)

Exterior of the tomb of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkinson. 

The tomb was desecrated by British invaders in 1842 with the view that it will upset the sentiments of Afghans and gratify the Hindus of India.

James Atkinson writes: 

The interior of the building, which contains the tomb of this far-famed conqueror, is about twenty-four feet in length by fourteen in breadth. The tomb itself is of polished white marble, and of the usual Mahomedan shape. The inscription on it gives the date of the Monarch’s death A.H. 421, or A.D. 1005. At each end is a wooden post adorned with peacock’s feathers, supporting a silken canopy of pale blue, variegated with gaudy colours, but now faded and in a tattered condition. Upon the white washed walls are written distichs in Arabic and Persian. Priests dare daily in attendance reading the Koran in honour of the illustrious dead. All sorts of votive offerings are hung up and spread out on the wall: among them is the preserved skin of a large tiger. The door, said to be made of sandal wood, and to be that brought by Mahmood from the Hindoo Temple of Somnath in Kattywar, when he sacked and desecrated that shrine, is in panels, carved and well joined. Each half is formed of two folds hinged together. In height it is about fourteen feet, and the entire width nine. This is the relic which the Sikh Chieftain Runjeet Sing so much coveted as to wish to make its restoration a condition to his affording aid to the cause of Shah Shoojau, but that Monarch replying that his compliance with the demand would disgrace in the eyes of his nation, the request was not insisted on. It has now, however, been brought to India under orders from the Governor General, Lord Ellenborough, by Major General Sir William Nott’s force, as a record of the triumph of the British arms, and the humiliation of the Afghans. It is to be restored to the Temple whence it was originally taken.

Kabuli woman, Kabul, Afghanistan, 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkinson

 

The avenue at the tomb of Mughal king Babur, Kabul, Afghanistan, 1840 (c)

The avenue at the tomb of Mughal king Babur, Kabul, Afghanistan, 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkinson.

Atma Ram, the Hindu Prime Minister of the ruler of Kunduz, 1840 (c)

Atma Ram, the Hindu Prime Minister of the ruler of Kunduz, 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkisnon.

James Atkinson writes : "Atmaram, a Hindoo, and native of Peshawur, is the Dewan Begee, or Prime Minister of Meer Moorad Beg, the celebrated Chief of Koodooz in Toorkistan, so justly styled by travellers the first hussar in Asia. To his sinister counsels, much of the ill treatment experienced by Mr. Moorcroft, at the hands of this Chieftain, is ascribed; it being well known how largely he profited by the sums of money extorted from that unfortunate gentleman. He was in power when Sir Alex. Burnes visited Koondooy in 1832; and after the surrender of Dost Mahomed in 1840, was sent by his master on a mission to the British authorities in Kabul. He has risen form the meanest origin to his present high estate; and although Hindoos are generally despised by the Uzbeks, nor even permitted to wear turbans, he has not only secured that privilege for himself and his servants, but numbers no less than four hundred slavs in his household. Sir A. Burnes, in his travels, speaks in warm terms of his merits, for to him the merchant is indebted for the protection of his property from plunder, and his person form bondage. The peculiarly folded turban is the only part of his dress which marks him as an idolater, the rest of his costume being that of an Uzbek Chieftains."

City of Kandahar, Afghanistan, 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkinson

 

Source: Victoria and Albert Museum

Burqa-clad Afghan and Qizilbash women, Kabul, 1840 (c)

Burqa-clad Afghan and Qizilbash women, Kabul, 1840 (c). 

James Atkinson (the painter) writes: "The dress of the Kuzzilash females is, at home, similar to that of their Afghan sisters, but abroad they are distinguished by wearing a veil of black horse hair."

A chieftain and female of the Ghilji (غلجي) tribe from Kalat-e-Ghilji (قلات غلجي), 1840 (c)

 

A chieftain and female of the Ghiljee (غلجي) tribe from Kalat-e-Ghiljee (قلات غلجي), 1840 (c). Painting by James Atkinson. 

James Atkinson writes: The dress of the Giljee female, as here shown, is that of the poorer class. It is remarkable for the peculiar manner in which their hair is made to act a partial veil, by being brought over the forehead, plastered with gum, and then wound in a flat circle round a piece of green grass."

"Kakur Khan (whose portrait is here given) an influential Chief of the Shaboodeen Khail".

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In 19th century some Tajiks often forayed into Hazarajat, captured Hazaras as slaves and sold them to Uzbeks

In 19th century some Tajiks often forayed into Hazarajat, captured Hazaras as slaves and sold them to Uzbeks. 

James Atkinson in 1843 writes :

"The term Tajuk is applied to all people of Afghanistan, whose vernacular language is Persian. They reside in villages and are essentially cultivators, never leaving a pastoral life. In general they form the most peaceable class of the population, but in the Kohistan the case is reversed. Turbulent and vindictive their blood feuds are there endless. It is rare to see a man go to hunt or even ride out without being attended by some of hisclan as a guard. To the north of Akrobat, towards Toorkistan, also, they bear no high character. In that quarter, the Tajuk Chiefs, like the notorious Mahomed Ali Beg, of Syghan, often engage in forays into the Huzzareh districts for slaves to sell to the Uzbeks. Some years ago, one of them, the ruler of Kamurd, having been unsuccessful in his “chappaos” for human beings in the territory of his neighbour, deliberately seized the whole of the inhabitants of one of his own villages, and presented them to the Koondooz Chief. The figure on the left hand of the drawing, is a Kohistan Tajuk in his winter dress the child also belongs to that district, as does the cotton cleaner with his basket on his back, on the opposite side. A man and woman of Bameean, complete the group. The scanty dress and squalid appearance of this female, and the dejected look of her helpmates, indicate but too faithfully, the miserable state in which those “Troglodytes” exist in their subterraneous dwellings." Source

A Kakar Pashtun, 1840 (c)

 

A Kakar Pashtun, 1840 (c).   Painting by James Atkinson.

"They (Kakars) wear, during winter, a short close jacket of sheep's skin, with an upper garment or cloak of felt, made with sleeves closed at the end, which they use as pockets to carry provisions in. The felt is manufactured of wool. The women knead it in their hands till it assumes a consistency: it is then spread to size required, and, when finished, is from a quarter to half an inch thick, and soft and pliant. Mutton, or goat's flesh, cut into small pieces and roasted on their ramrods, forms their chief food."

A Kakar Pashtun (on left) and a Baloch (on right), 1840 (c).

Afghan and Qizalbash ladies, 1843-1843

Cabul : Affghan and Kuzzilbash ladies (Kabul: Afghan and Qizalbash ladies), 1843-1843.

Creator: Atkinson, James ; Haghe, Charles ; Hart, Lockyer Willis.

Qizalbash means "Red heads" in Turkish and they wore red caps. The Qizilbash grew out of the heterogeneous mixture of Turkish Shia groups living in northwest Persia. They were backbone of Ahmad Shah Abdali's army (one third of elite ghulam corps of Ahmad Shah consisted of Qizalbashes). Timur Shah Durrani gave them residential quarters in Kabul (in Chinduwal and Murad Khani sections of Kabul)

Achakzai tribe

The Achakzai is a sub-clan of Barakzai division of Durranis and the Barakzai Amirs and Kings of Afghanistan were their kinsmen. They are descendants of Achak Baba who is buried at Sra Karuna. Ahmad Shah Abdali, who feared the growing number of Barakzais, ousted Achakzais from Kandahar and surrounding area, and they separated from their parent stock. The clan left its parental home in Maruf and migrated eastward, and occupied the tract that is known as the Achakzai Toba. The Tarins then occupied this tract. However, the Nurzai, Alekozai and Achakzai gradually supplanted them. Presently they occupy Khwaja Amran Range in the Chaman sub-division, Inayatullah Karez, Chur Badezai, Khurgi and Anzari in the Pishin district.

Of the sections in Baluchistan, the Badea occupies Iskam Kaur, Arambi, Chinar and the Gwal Valley in Toba, the Ashezi part of the Sahora, Speslum and Tabina, the Hamidzai Tashrobat and adjoining valleys, the Nasratzai Farrakhi and Usmanzai occupy the country near the Ghwaza Pass.

The name Abdali is still used, though sparingly for the Achakzais, who became localized in Toba and are regarded a separate political unit from the rest of the Durranis. Some of the Achakzai families of Usmanzai clan are also found in Afghanistan as far as Uruzgan and Herat.

Etymology of Killa Abdullah district 

The district Killa Abdullah is named after a fort which was founded by Sardar Abdullah Khan Achakzai in early 19th century. The latter purchased Dehsora Karez from Kakars and Chasma Inzargai from Ashezai Achakzais and built a fort there and gave the place his own name. It was square shaped.

Abdullah Khan Achakzai's father Shadi Khan was an Arzbegi in the Durrani court (the arzbegi was responsible for dealing with claims against officials submitted by citizens). Around 1819, a quarrel took place between the two sons of Shadi Khan Arzbegi, in which Yar Muhammad Khan lost his life at the hands of Abdullah Khan, his younger brother. Quetta-Pishin Gazetteer (1907) records an anecdote about the manner of death which Abdullah Khan inflicted on Yar Muhammad Khan:

"In order to get rid of his elder brother, who stood between him and the inheritance, he caused him to be seized and buried him up to the chin in the earth. A rope was then fastened round his neck and to the end of it was haltered a wild horse: the animal was then driven round in a circle untill the unhappy victim's head was twisted from his shoulders."

During First Anglo-Afghan war, Haji Sarbuland Khan (son of Yar Muhammad Khan) and Saleh Muhammad Khan (Yar Muhammad Khan's nephew) espoused the cause of Saddozais and supported the British while Abdullah Khan, supported by the whole of the Achakzai tribe, took the Barakzai side and bitterly opposed the British advance in the area. He and his two sons were killed in the battle of the 23rd of September of 1841, in Kabul. Haji Sarbuland Khan was wounded fighting on the British side.

In 1907 Killa Abdullah was divided into three parts; the village; the railway station, the fort and serai; and the bazar. Its population in 1907 was 344 (males 182, females 162) and comprised 212 Achakzais, 40 Sayyids, 77 Kakars and 15 others. It possessed a mosque in charge of an Imam, who lived on zakat, and three rooms for students (talibs). The water supply to the village was from Dehsora karez the water being stored in a tank. The village possessed ten gardens, which covered an area of over 29 acres, the princapal fruits being grapes of the haita, sara kishmishi, and sahibi varieties, apricots, almonds and quinces. The Kandahari dealers bought the fruit and exported it to Quetta. It realized about Rs.2,000 per annum. Melons and watermelons were also grown.

Achakzai troopers, 1840 (c)

Achakzais launched fierce and frequent attacks on the baggage of Lord Keane’s army which in 1839. To keep open the communication through their country, a body of two hundred horsemen, was raised from among them and was stationed in the fort. A detachment of the 20th Bombay Infantry of British-Indian army was subsequently sent to strengthen the post, but circumstances necessitated the withdrawal of British from the fort. The Achakzais troopers deserted the British and cut down some of the British Infantry as they went off. In the painting by James Atkinson, their Commander, Rissaldar Ghulam Khan, is represented on horseback, while two dismounted troopers occupy the foreground. Their uniform was a tunic of green cloth, and they were armed with matchlock, sword, and shield. 

References:

1- "History of the Pathans" by Haroon Rashid, Vol-1
2- Hayat-i-Afghani
3- An account of the kingdom of Caubul, and its dependencies by Elphinstone
4- Quetta-Pishin Gazetteer (1907)

5- Fort of Killeh Abdooleh. Troopers of the Auchukzye

Fort of Killa Abdullah. Troopers of the Achakzai horse. 1847's painting by James Atkinson

Sar Buland Achakzai(the seated one) , Photograph by Burke (1878-1880).

Chaman Bazaar (Qilla Abdullah District, Balochistan Province). 1889's photo by Fred Bremner

Chaman Bazaar (Qilla Abdullah District, Balochistan Province). 1889's photo by Fred Bremner printed on postcard.

An Uchakzai Pashtun, Pishin valley, ca. 1889. Drawing from a photograph with notes on headwear.