Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎176r] (41/174)

1870. ]
INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION.
On the 22nd February the Agent wrote :
“ * His Highness the Ameer has issued instructions to all Governors and Jagheerdars, to the
* Diary ending 24th February. effect that they should not realize for themselves
the revenue of their territories and estatpq
the New Year’s Day. Briefly, the object of the Cabul authorities is, that after New Ye ^
Day the system of issuing ‘ bursts/ or assignments of revenue, may be discontinued • tha"
the revenue of the whole country being realised in cash may be credited in the (Cabnl)
Treasury, and allowances, &c., may be paid in cash from the same ; also, that a few dismissals
and new appointments may be made among the Governors of several Provinces.”
396. Of a different character were his instructions that the officers of his
court and army should wear uniform when appearing before him.
And that described in the following entry in the diary of 14th February
1870— ^
“ Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Mahomed Hoosein Khan, Governor of Cabul, has directed all shoe-makers by
order of the Ameer, to sell off all their shoes by the New Year's Day, and, after discontinuing*
their preparation according to the old local pattern after New Year's Day,.to prepare boots
according to the English pattern ; and he has told them that, in the event of their not prepar
ing such boots, they will be liable to a fine of Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 100 : recognizances to the above effect
have been taken from all shoe-makers.''
Colonel Pollock explained that this order was not quite so unreasonable as
it would appear primd facie to be; for, owing to the amount of snow in Cabul,
the inhabitants and soldiers were much incommoded by the construction of the
Native shoe, which was not intended to keep out snow.
The following entry in the diary of the 31st March shows the view the
shoe-makers took of this order:
“The shoe-makers of Cabul have petitioned the Ameer that the Governor of Cabul has
directed them to give recognizances to the effect that they will not prepare any other shoes after
New Year's Day, except aftert he English pattern ; but as no person uses such boots, the above
order is very injurious to them, and they should be permitted to prepare shoes according to
former patterns. His Highness being displeased has directed the petitioners either to prepare
(English) boots in Cabul or to abandon their calling.'’
In the diary of March 24th the agent wrote:
“ The Ameer dresses himself in English coats, pantaloons, and caps, and has directed all
his officials, &c., to wear a similar dress. Dresses of this kind are being prepared for some
Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. and Officials who attend durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). . This matter is often touched upon in durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). ,
and the people are wearing such dresses every day, some willingly and some unwillingly.'
And on the 13th June—
“ *By order of the Ameer, the Governor of Cabul has issued a proclamation in the city, to
* , ni1 _ the effect that tailors should not prepare Burk
J b c/wgas, but, instead o± these, should make Burk
eoats, and any infringement of this order will subject them to a fine of one hundred Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
and imprisonment.''
397. In March 1870 the Ameer came to the following resolution :
“*To organize a Council composed of the following 13 members, in order to get their opi-
* r.. ,. , nions in all administration matters. If theyfor
the most part agree, well and good; if their opi
nions in any matter differ and are balanced, the said matter will be brought forward to the
Ameer, and his decision will be final:
1. Syud Noor Mahomed Shah.
2. Moostowfee Hubeeboollah Khan.
3. Mirza Abdool Ali, Kuzulbash.
4. Shahghassee Attaoollah Khan, brother of Shahghasee Shere-
dil Khan.
5. Mirza Mahomed Hoossein Khan, Kuzulbash.
6. Mirza Mahomed Tahir Khan, Kuzulbash.
7. Said Mahmood Badshah, Chief cf Koonur.
8. Meer Soofee Khan.
-x 9. Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. Khan.
10. Sahibzadah Gholam Jan.
11. Arsullah Khan.
12. Meer Aldus Khan, Shahghasee.
13. Mullik Shere Gool.
“ Cabul Officials 3.
“ Cabul Nobles 3.
1.
“ Kohistan Levies 3.
“ Ghilzai Levies 3.
f