'Abd al-Rahman Khan, Amir of Afghanistan, -1901; Afghanistan -- History; Kabul (Afghanistan)
The Kandaharis are also a good type of Afghan, and are mostly strong
well-built men. Grey and blue eyes are common amongst them, as with
the Kabulis; but whether this is natural to them or the result of the
English occupation of the country on two occasions many years ago, is
problematical.
The people of Turkestan and the Usbegs are rather Mongolian in feature,
the type being in some more pronounced than others. The Hazaras, whom
Amir Abdur Rahman brought into subjection, are decidedly Mongolian in
feature, and are mostly short, squat, strongly built people.
Another race the late Amir subjugated, the Kafris, are entirely distinct
from the other races of the country. They are generally very fair
complexioned, and have light-coloured eyes. They are not tall, and
are slimly yet symmetrically built. In many cases their features are
Grecian in type, and it is quite conceivable that they are, as has been
suggested, the descendants of the garrisons Alexander the Great left in
the country on his historic march to India. They were idolators until the
Amir took them in hand and converted them by fire and sword, and they
have little love for their new masters. They are quick and intelligent,
and make good workmen.
The language of the country is Pushtoo, which is general among the people
from Peshawar to Kandahar. The Turkestanis use the Turki language,
and the Kafris have a language of their own, which latter might form
an interesting study for those who are acquainted with the old Greek
language. All people of any consequence speak Persian, which is the
court language, and the language used in Kabul itself, for very few of
the Kabulis are able to speak Pushtoo, and with a knowledge of Persian
one can get on anywhere in the country, but it is less common among the
frontier tribes than elsewhere.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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