Descrizione

About the book:--The author reveals that the final rupture between their Government and the Amir of Kabul, which has been impending at any time during the past four or five years—and which assumed a more threatening aspect after his contemptuous treatment of the Viceroy’s polite invitation to the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, by which act he signalized himself as the only independent ruler in diplomatic relations with the Government of India who refused to be represented at that August ceremony—has all of a sudden been brought prominently before the Britishpeople by the warlike action of Government to resent the premeditated and unprovoked insult of a spoiled and petted barbarian neighbour who has mistaken conciliation for fear, and forbearance for weakness. It has been attempted to show from its past history, and the heterogeneous character of its population, how utterly unable the country is to maintain its independence as a friendly neighbour without our support, especially in face of the aggressive and disturbing policy pursued by Russia in Central Asia. He must explain that in committing this little pamphlet to the notice of the public, his object is to offer a brief and connected account of the history of Afghanistan, and the relations of their Government with its rulers, so far as these have from time to time become known to the public in India; whilst the account of the country and people is written from personal observation and inquiry. He has made no attempt to treat the subject in detail, for that would require volumes, and a leisure which he has not at command; but he has endeavoured to put the case clearly and concisely for a general comprehension of the whole, or for special inquiry into any particular point.

Edizione: 1875