Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎175r] (39/174)

1871. ]
ARRANGEMENTS EOR SECURITY OF KHYBER PASS.
81
In another letter- he wrote that he had demolished the raiders’ towers, and
* Diary ending isth April i87i. aevastated their crops, and had sent off to
Jellalabad hostages from all the sections
for the recovery ot the traders property.
389. The Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab expressed his opinion that
the measures taken for the re-opening of the Khyber Pass shewed energy on the
part of the Ameer’s administration ; and said that if they prove successful, His
Honor would propose hereafter to express the satisfaction of the Government
thereat.
The Viceroy (in letter No. 883P, dated 13th May) expressed concurrence and
begged that after two months a report might be sent showing the result of
the operations. In compliance with this request the Punjab Government
(No. 267—826, dated 15th July) sent up a report by the Commissioner of
Peshawur, saying that the turn events had since then taken in Cabal had put
a stop for the time to all efforts on the part of the Cabul Government to come
to a proper understanding with the Afreedee tribes ; but that even were order
restored in Cabul there would be no prospect of the Khyber route being pro
perly and permanently opened, unless the Jellalabad authorities so arrange that
SooltamMahomed Khan, of Lalpoora, should feel it to be to his interest that the
route should be a safe one for traders. So long as he retains his power and
suffers pecuniary loss by the diversion of traffic from the Lalpoora road on
which he levies dues, he will, the Commissioner said, not cease secretly to
foment disturbances in the Khyber.
Meantime Meer Akhor had come to Cabul (22nd May), bringing one
Mullik and some hostages. The other Mulliks had said—
“ that if their hostages were released, they would come to Cabul and arrange for the security
of their Pass, otherwise the hostages should be considered their agents.”
According to the story* brought by Syud Mahmood of Koonur, the Mulliks
* tv ™ had agreed to make the Pass secure, but that
Meer Akhor had declined to open it till
all the plundered property was recovered. On hearing this the Ameer said
that Meer Akhor had made a great mistake in releasing the two Mulliks who
had opposed him, and whom he had captured; that he quite doubted Meer
Akhor’s power of securing the safety of the Pass; but that he intended,
if opportunity offered, to go himself next winter to the Khyber with a force.
This was said before the danger from the side of Herat appeared pressing.
Section II .—Arrangements connected with the internal administration.
390. The Ameer’s return to his own country was followed by an inter
change of complimentary letters between him and the Viceroy. In the last
but one of his letters, that of the 18th May, the Ameer congratulated himself
on having been able, as one of the results of the interview, to remove from his
people the impression, consequent on the events of former times, that the
British Government would interfere in the affairs of Afghanistan.
On the 10th May he reached Cabul, and almost at once began a career of
reform, which filled those who wish him well with alarm, lest his innovations
should he too sudden and violent, and with a doubt how long this reforming zeal
would last.
He directed that arrangements should be made
bazaar* and streets. This task and that of
* Diary ending istii May. improving the roadway were committed to
t Diary ending 20 th May. the city Kotwal.t The laying down of
fresh, pavement had already commenced by the 3rd May.