Amir’s policy in killing off leading men of country to ensure his son’s reign—Dwindling revenue—Why Amir could not meet Lord Curzon in India—Russian encroachment on frontier—Russian influence in Kabul—Afghanistan a menace to Russian approach towards India—Afghan rule cheapest means of keeping unruly tribes in order—Policy to keep the Afghans well armed—Sympathy with English justice and government—Influence of British Agent on the people—Why railways are not wanted in Afghanistan—Reason rich mines are left unworked—Seaboard wanted by Amir on Beloochistan coast—Internal policy of Amir Abdur Rahman 289 CHAPTER XVIII ROAD FROM KABUL TO PESHAWAR Difficulty of getting permission to enter Afghanistan and to leave it—Description of country passed through—Camping-places on way down and distances—Description of Jelalabad City—Usbeg horseback game of Buz-bazee—Kabul river at Jelalabad and beyond—The musak—Summer heat—The last day’s journey 308 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS TO FACE PAGE AMIR HABIBULLAH KHAN _Frontispiece_ THE SHAHZADA ON THE MARCH FROM KANDAHAR TO KABUL 8 (_From a drawing by the Author_) SIRDAR MAHOMED OMAR KHAN AND STAFF 24 AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN IN EVERYDAY DURBAR. SIRDAR HABIBULLAH (PRESENT AMIR) SITTING WITH HIM 40 (_From a drawing by the Author_) THE MIHMAN KHANA (GUEST-HOUSE), KABUL 48 PORTION OF GARDEN ATTACHED TO MY HOUSE—SAINT’S GRAVE IN THE CORNER OF GARDEN 48 GROUP OF AFGHAN GUARDS AND SERVANTS—TAKEN IN COMPOUND OF MY HOUSE—KITCHEN AT THE BACK 80 MARRIAGE PARTY OF THE “UPPER TEN.” BRIDE AND WAITING-WOMEN CARRIED IN LITTERS 88 (_From a drawing by the Author_) MARRIAGE PARTY OF POORER CLASS—BRIDEGROOM AND BRIDE FOLLOWED BY GIRL CARRYING THE BRIDE’S CLOTHES 96 (_From a drawing by the Author_) AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN AND OFFICIALS AT DINNER 104 (_From a drawing by the Author_) PRINCE INIATULLAH—ELDEST SON OF AMIR HABIBULLAH KHAN—AND STAFF 120 AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN 128 KABULI WOMAN’S INDOOR DRESS 200 NEW PORTION OF KABUL WORKSHOPS, WITH THE SIRDAR’S BUNGALOW AND OFFICE IN CENTRE 232