'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎46] (179/458)

46
LIEUTENANT H. G. RAVERTT
men, and a veil. The dress of the inhabitants of the city varies but
little from that worn by the people of the districts, and the same as
worn throughout Affghanistan. A great number of the inhabitants
are natives of Kabul, and dress in the Persian style. The females
of the higher classes dress in a gay, and at the same time becoming*
manner. It consists of the tomba, wide drawers of silk, at least one
yard in width, edged with gold lace or silk fringe at the bottom, and
from the great width appears like a gown. This part of the dress
is sometimes of printed velvet, of the same wide proportions, but drawn
in tight at the ancles. The upper garment consist* of a piram or shirt
with wide sleeves, and reaches half down the thighs. It is made of
coloured silk or white net, also edged with gold lace. The next article
of dress is a veil of white muslin or net, which is sufficiently large to
envelope the whole person : the dress of young maidens is entirely white.
Married women wear a small red silk cap, called an “ arakchec^ em
broidered with gold and silver thread, which just covers the back
part of the head. The hair is worn parted in front, and fastened to the
forehead with gum : the hair just above the ears is traced and fastened
behind like a band ; the whole of the hair beneath this band is plaited
also, each plait being about an inch in breadth : a pair of high heeled
green Morocco shoes completes the in-door attire. In the cold season
a small fur jacket without sleeves is worn, and s^cks are sometimes
used. Out of doors every female, with few exceptions, wears the boor-
kah, a large veil or cloak, fitting close over the head and face, and
reaching to the feet. It is made of line white cloth, and has two aper
tures to enable the wearer to see. Short white leggins or drawers^
fastened by strings above the knee, are also an indispensible part of the
out-door dress, more particularly of young females. Ornaments are
worn in the ears, in one nostril, on the wrists, and on the ancles.
The dress of the Hindoo inhabitants is similar to that worn by the
Mahommedans, with this difference, that the drawers worn by males
and females are tight, and the women do not wear the boorkah. The
Mahommedan portion of the inhabitants are generally very fair, almost
as much so as the generality of Europeans. Persons may be often
seen with light reddish-colored hair, blue eyes, and ruddy complexions.
They appear to be a particularly clean race of people, and are very
strong and hardy. They are open and straightforward in their dis
positions, and entirely without the natural cunning and cringing