Chapter XXII: Appendix: IV (1)

THE TREATY OF GANDAMAK

Treaty between the British Government and his Highness Mahommed Yakub Khan, Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies, concluded at Gandamak on the 26th May, 1879, by his Highness the Amir Mahommed Yakub Khan on his own part and on the part of the British Government by Major (afterwards Sir Louis) P. L. N. Cavagnari, C.S.I.

(1) From the day of the exchange of the ratifications of the
present Treaty there shall be perpetual peace and friendship
between the British Government on the one part and his
Highness the Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies, and his
successors, on the other.

(2) His Highness the Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies
engages, on the exchange of the ratifications of this Treaty, to
publish a full and complete amnesty, absolving all his subjects
from any responsibility for intercourse with the British forces
during the war, and to guarantee and protect all persons of
whatever degree from any punishment or molestation on that
account.

(3) His Highness the Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies
agrees to conduct his relations with Foreign States in
accordance with the advice and wishes of the British Government.
His Highness the Amir will enter into no engagements with
Foreign States, and will not take up arms against any Foreign
State, except with the concurrence of the British Government. On
these conditions the British Government will support the Amir
against any foreign aggression with money, arms, or troops,
to be employed in whatsoever manner the British Government
may judge best for this purpose. Should British troops at any
time enter Afghanistan for the purpose of repelling foreign
aggression, they will return to their stations in British
territory as soon as the object for which they entered has been
accomplished.

(4) With a view to the maintenance of the direct and intimate
relations now established between the British Government and his
Highness the Amir of Afghanistan, and for the better protection
of the frontiers of his Highness’s dominion, it is agreed that
a British Representative shall reside at Kabul, with a suitable
escort, in a place of residence appropriate to his rank and
dignity. It is also agreed that the British Government shall
have the right to depute British Agents with suitable escorts
to the Afghan frontiers, whensoever this may be considered
necessary by the British Government in the interests of both
States, on the occurrence of any important external fact. His
Highness the Amir of Afghanistan may on his part depute an
Agent to reside at the Court of his Excellency the Viceroy and
Governor-General of India, and at such other places in British
India as may be similarly agreed upon.

(5) His Highness the Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies
guarantees the personal safety and honourable treatment of
British Agents within his jurisdiction; and the British
Government on its part undertakes that its Agents shall never
in any way interfere with the internal administration of his
Highness’s dominions.

(6) His Highness the Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies
undertakes, on behalf of himself and his successors, to offer
no impediment to British subjects peacefully trading within
his dominions so long as they do so with the permission of the
British Government, and in accordance with such arrangements as
may be mutually agreed upon from time to time between the two
Governments.

(7) In order that the passage of trade between the territories
of the British Government and of his Highness the Amir of
Afghanistan may be open and uninterrupted, his Highness the Amir
of Afghanistan agrees to use his best endeavours to ensure the
protection of traders and to facilitate the transit of goods
along the well-known customary roads of Afghanistan. These
roads shall be improved and maintained in such manner as the
two Governments may decide to be most expedient for the general
convenience of traffic, and under such financial arrangements as
may be mutually determined upon between them. The arrangements
made for the maintenance and security of the aforesaid roads,
for the settlement of the duties to be levied upon merchandise
carried over these roads, and for the general protection and
development of trade with and through the dominions of his
Highness, will be stated in a separate Commercial Treaty, to be
concluded within one year, due regard being given to the state
of the country.

(8) With a view to facilitate communications between the allied
Governments and to aid and develop intercourse and commercial
relations between the two countries, it is hereby agreed that
a line of telegraph from Kurram to Kabul shall be constructed
by and at the cost of the British Government, and the Amir of
Afghanistan hereby undertakes to provide for the protection of
this telegraph line.

(9) In consideration of the renewal of a friendly alliance
between the two States which has been attested and secured by
the foregoing Articles, the British Government restores to
his Highness the Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies the
towns of Kandahar and Jelalabad with all the territory now in
possession of the British armies, excepting the districts of
Kurram, Pishin, and Sibi. His Highness the Amir of Afghanistan
and its dependencies agrees on his part that the districts of
Kurram and Pishin and Sibi, according to the limits defined
in the schedule annexed, shall remain under the protection
and administrative control of the British Government: that is
to say, the aforesaid districts shall be treated as assigned
districts, and shall not be considered as permanently severed
from the limits of the Afghan kingdom. The revenues of these
districts, after deducting the charges of civil administration,
shall be paid to his Highness the Amir.

The British Government will retain in its own hands the
control of the Khyber and Michni Passes, which lie between the
Peshawar and Jelalabad districts, and of all relations with the
independent tribes of the territory directly connected with
these passes.

(10) For the further support of his Highness the Amir in the
recovery and maintenance of his legitimate authority, and in
consideration of the efficient fulfilment in their entirety
of the engagements stipulated by the foregoing Articles, the
British Government agrees to pay to his Highness the Amir and to
his successors an annual subsidy of six lakhs of Rupees.

Done at Gandamak, this 26th day of May 1879, corresponding with
the 4th day of the month of Jamadi-us-sani, 1296 A.H.

AMIR MAHOMMED YAKUB KHAN.
N. CAVAGNARI, _Major_.

_Letter, dated June 14, 1880, from_ MR. (_afterwards_ SIR LEPEL)
GRIFFIN _to_ ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN.

(After compliments.)

“I am commanded to convey to you the replies of the
Government of India to the questions you have asked.

“_First_, with regard to the position of the ruler of
Kabul in relation to Foreign Powers. Since the British
Government admit no right of interference by Foreign
Powers in Afghanistan, and since both Russia and Persia
are pledged to abstain from all political interference
with Afghan affairs, it is plain that the Kabul ruler can
have no political relations with any Foreign Power except
the English: and if any such Foreign Power should attempt
to interfere in Afghanistan, and if such interference
should lead to unprovoked aggression on the Kabul ruler,
then the British Government will be prepared to aid him,
if necessary, to repel it, provided that he follows the
advice of the British Government in regard to his external
relations.

“_Secondly_, with regard to limits of territory, I am
directed to say that the whole province of Kandahar has
been placed under a separate ruler, except Pishin and Sibi,
which are retained in British possession. Consequently,
the Government is not able to enter into any negotiations
with you on these points, nor in respect to arrangements
with regard to the north-west frontier, which were
concluded with the ex-Amir Mahommed Yakub Khan. With these
reservations, the British Government are willing that you
should establish over Afghanistan (including Herat, the
possession of which cannot be guaranteed to you, though
the Government are not disposed to hinder measures which
you may take to obtain possession of it) as complete and
extensive authority as has hitherto been exercised by any
Amir of your family. The British Government desires to
exercise no interference in the internal affairs of these
territories, nor will you be required to admit an English
Resident anywhere; although, for convenience of ordinary
and friendly intercourse between two adjoining States, it
may be advisable to station by agreement a Mahommedan agent
of the British Government at Kabul.”

_From_ AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN _to_ MR. GRIFFIN, _dated
June 22, 1880_.

(After compliments.)

“Regarding the boundaries of Afghanistan which were settled
by treaty with my most noble and respected grandfather,
Amir Dost Muhammad, these you have granted to me. And the
Envoy which you have appointed in Afghanistan you have
dispensed with, but what you have left to (be settled
according to) my wish is, that I may keep a Mussulman
Ambassador, if I please. This was my desire and that of my
people, and this you have kindly granted.

“About my friendly relations and communication with Foreign
Powers, you have written that I should not have any without
advice and consultation with you (the British). You should
consider well that if I have the friendship of a great
Government like yours, how can I communicate with another
Power without advice from and consultation with you? I
agree to this also.

“You have also kindly written that should any unwarranted
(improper) attack be made by any other Power on
Afghanistan, you will under all circumstances afford me
assistance; and you will not permit any other person to
take possession of the territory of Afghanistan. This also
is my desire, which you have kindly granted.

“As to what you have written about Herat. Herat is at
present in the possession of my cousin. So long as he does
not oppose me, and remains friendly with me, it is better
that I should leave my cousin in Herat, rather than any
other man. Should he oppose me, and not listen to my words
(advice) or those of my people, I will afterwards let you
know. Everything shall be done as we both deem it expedient
and advisable.

“All the kindness you have shown is for my welfare and that
of my people: how should I not accept it? You have shown
very great kindness to me and my people.”

_Letter from_ MR. GRIFFIN _to_ AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN,
_dated “July 1880_.”[45]

(After compliments.)

“His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General in Council
has learnt with pleasure that your Highness has proceeded
toward Kabul, in accordance with the invitation of the
British Government. Therefore, in consideration of the
friendly sentiments by which your Highness is animated, and
of the advantage to be derived by the Sirdars and people
from the establishment of a settled government under your
Highness’s authority, the British Government recognises
your Highness as Amir of Kabul.

“I am further empowered, on the part of the Viceroy and
Governor-General of India, to inform your Highness that
the British Government has no desire to interfere in the
internal government of the territories in the possession
of your Highness, and has no wish that an English Resident
should be stationed anywhere within those territories. For
the convenience of ordinary friendly intercourse, such
as is maintained between two adjoining States, it may be
advisable that a Mahommedan Agent of the British Government
should reside, by agreement, at Kabul.

“Your Highness has requested that the views and intentions
of the British Government with regard to the position of
the ruler at Kabul in relation to Foreign Powers should
be placed on record for your Highness’s information. The
Viceroy and Governor-General in Council authorises me to
declare to you that since the British Government admits no
right of interference by Foreign Powers within Afghanistan,
and since both Russia and Persia are pledged to abstain
from all interference with the affairs of Afghanistan, it
is plain that your Highness can have no political relations
with any Foreign Power except with the British Government.
If any Foreign Power should attempt to interfere in
Afghanistan, and if such interference should lead to
unprovoked aggression on the dominions of your Highness,
in that event the British Government would be prepared to
aid you, to such extent and in such manner as may appear to
the British Government necessary, in repelling it; provided
that your Highness follows unreservedly the advice of the
British Government in regard to your external relations.”

_Letter from the_ VICEROY OF INDIA (MARQUIS OF RIPON)
_to the_ AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN.

(After compliments.)

“SIMLA, _June 16, 1883_.

“Your Highness will remember that, at Sir Lepel Griffin’s
interview with you at Zimma on July 31, 1880, he said
that the Government of India could only start your
administration by giving you a grant to pay your army and
officials and your immediate expenses; and that, having
recognised you as Amir, it was anxious to see you strong;
but after you had taken possession of Kabul, you must rely
on your own resources.

“I have always interested myself so much in your Highness’s
success, and have felt so great a desire for the
establishment of a strong and friendly Power under your
Highness’s auspices in Afghanistan, that I have on various
occasions gone beyond the determination then communicated
to you, and have from time to time aided your Highness
with sums of money and arms, besides devoting some lakhs a
year to the support of Afghan refugees and détenus, whose
presence in Afghanistan is, I understand, regarded by your
Highness as dangerous to your power. Still, my view of the
relations to each other of the two countries has throughout
been that, in matters of internal policy and finance, India
should not seek to interfere with Afghanistan, but should
confine herself to the part of a friendly neighbour and
ally. On these conditions, it would be in accordance with
the practice of nations that Afghanistan should regulate
her own finance and bear her own burdens, as she has always
done heretofore.

“As regards matters of external policy, your Highness was
informed in the communication from the Foreign Secretary
to the Government of India, dated July 20, 1880, and again
in my letter of February 22, 1883, that if any Foreign
Power should attempt to interfere in Afghanistan, and if
such interference should lead to unprovoked aggression on
the dominions of your Highness, in that event the British
Government would be prepared to aid you to such extent and
in such manner as might appear to the British Government
necessary in repelling it; provided that your Highness
follows unreservedly the advice of the British Government
in regard to your external relations.

“On consideration, however, of your accounts of the
condition of your north-west frontier, I have been
satisfied that your Highness has to contend with
exceptional difficulties in that quarter. I have understood
that, owing to various untoward circumstances, your
Highness has not yet been able to reduce the important
frontier province of Herat to the orderly and secure
condition so essential for the protection of Afghanistan
as a whole; and therefore that, for the settlement of the
affairs of that frontier, some friendly assistance may be
needful to you. I further observe, with satisfaction, your
Highness’s assurances of good faith and loyalty to the
British Government; and your Highness’s language convinces
me that you realise how much it is to the interest of
Afghanistan to maintain friendly relations with the
Government of India.

“Impressed by these considerations, I have determined
to offer to your Highness personally, as an aid towards
meeting the present difficulties in the management of your
State, a subsidy of twelve lakhs of rupees a year, payable
monthly, to be devoted to the payment of your troops, and
to the other measures required for the defence of your
north-western frontier. I feel that I may safely trust to
your Highness’s good faith and practised skill to devote
this addition to your resources to objects of such vital
importance as those which I have above mentioned.”

_The_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN _to the_ VICEROY OF INDIA.
(Extract.)

(After compliments.)

“6th Ramazan, 1300 H. (_July 11, 1883_).

“I have announced the glad tidings of your Excellency’s
determination, which is calculated to conduce to the
well-being of the British Government and of the people of
Afghanistan, and to put in order and keep going my affairs,
to the people of Afghanistan at large, who all offered up
thanks, saying, ‘For many years we, the Afghan nation,
have been suffering from innumerable calamities. Thanks
be to God that a glorious Government like this (British
Government) has befriended us.’

“God willing, the people of Afghanistan will never allow
their heads to swerve from the line of friendship to the
illustrious British Government, and so long as I live I
will not think of making friends with any one but with
the illustrious British Government. I have offered my
prayers to God for the (increased) glory of that powerful
Government.”

_The_ AMIR’S _Speech at the Rawal Pindi Durbar_.

At the great Durbar held by Lord Dufferin on April 8, 1885, the Amir Abdur Rahman spoke as follows:

“In return for this kindness and favour I am ready with my
arms and people to render any services that may be required
of me or of the Afghan nation. As the British Government
has declared that it will assist me in repelling any
foreign enemy, so it is right and proper that Afghanistan
should unite in the firmest manner and stand side by side
with the British Government.”

_Letter from_ SIR MORTIMER DURAND _to_ ABDUR RAHMAN,
_dated Kabul, November 11, 1893_.

(After compliments.)

“When your Highness came to the throne of Afghanistan, Sir
Lepel Griffin was instructed to give you the assurance
that, if any Foreign Power should attempt to interfere
in Afghanistan, and if such interference should lead to
unprovoked aggression on the dominions of your Highness, in
that event the British Government would be prepared to aid
you to such extent and in such manner as might appear to
the British Government necessary in repelling it, provided
that your Highness followed unreservedly the advice of the
British Government in regard to your external relations.

“I have the honour to inform your Highness that this
assurance remains in force, and that it is applicable with
regard to any territory which may come into your possession
in consequence of the agreement which you have made with me
to-day in the matter of the Oxus frontier.

“It is the desire of the British Government that such
portion of the northern frontier of Afghanistan as has not
yet been marked out should now be clearly defined; when
this has been done, the whole of your Highness’s frontier
towards the side of Russia will be equally free from doubt
and equally secure.”

_Agreement signed at Kabul on November 12, 1893._

Whereas the British Government has represented to his
Highness the Amir that the Russian Government presses for
the literal fulfilment of the Agreement of 1873 between
Russia and England by which it was decided that the river
Oxus should form the northern boundary of Afghanistan from
Lake Victoria (Wood’s Lake) or Sarikul on the east to the
junction of the Kokcha with the Oxus, and whereas the
British Government considers itself bound to abide by the
terms of this Agreement, if the Russian Government equally
abides by them, his Highness Amir Abdur Rahman Khan,
G.C.S.I., Amir of Afghanistan and its dependencies, wishing
to show his friendship to the British Government and his
readiness to accept their advice in matters affecting his
relations with Foreign Powers, hereby agrees that he will
evacuate all the districts held by him to the north of
this portion of the Oxus on the clear understanding that
all the districts lying to the south of this portion of
the Oxus, and not now in his possession, be handed over to
him in exchange. And Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, K.C.I.E.,
C.S.I., Foreign Secretary to the Government of India,
hereby declares on the part of the British Government that
the transfer to his Highness the Amir of the said districts
lying to the south of the Oxus is an essential part of this
transaction, and undertakes that arrangements will be made
with the Russian Government to carry out the transfer of
the said lands to the north and south of the Oxus.

H. M. DURAND.
AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN.
KABUL, _November 12, 1893_.

_Agreement between_ AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN, G.C.S.I., _and_
SIR HENRY MORTIMER DURAND, K.C.I.E., C.S.I.

Whereas certain questions have arisen regarding the
frontier of Afghanistan on the side of India, and whereas
both his Highness the Amir and the Government of India
are desirous of settling these questions by a friendly
understanding, and of fixing the limit of their respective
spheres of influence, so that for the future there may be
no difference of opinion on the subject between the allied
Governments, it is hereby agreed as follows:

(1) The eastern and southern frontier of his Highness’s
dominions, from Wakhan to the Persian border, shall follow
the line shown in the map attached to this agreement.

(2) The Government of India will at no time exercise
interference in the territories lying beyond this line on
the side of Afghanistan, and his Highness the Amir will
at no time exercise interference in the territories lying
beyond this line on the side of India.

(3) The British Government thus agrees to his Highness
the Amir retaining Asmar and the valley above it, as far
as Chanak. His Highness agrees, on the other hand, that
he will at no time exercise interference in Swat, Bajaur,
or Chitral, including the Arnawai or Bashgal valley. The
British Government also agrees to leave to his Highness the
Birmal tract as shown in the detailed map already given to
his Highness, who relinquishes his claim to the rest of the
Waziri country and Dawar. His Highness also relinquishes
his claim to Chageh.

(4) The frontier line will hereafter be laid down in
detail and demarcated, wherever this may be practicable
and desirable, by joint British and Afghan commissioners,
whose object will be to arrive by mutual understanding at
a boundary which shall adhere with the greatest possible
exactness to the line shown in the map attached to this
agreement, having due regard to the existing local rights
of villages adjoining the frontier.

(5) With reference to the question of Chaman, the Amir
withdraws his objection to the new British cantonment and
concedes to the British Government the rights purchased
by him in the Sirkai Tilerai water. At this part of the
frontier the line will be drawn as follows:

From the crest of the Khwaja Amran range near the Psha
Kotal, which remains in British territory, the line
will run in such a direction as to leave Murgha Chaman
and the Sharobo spring to Afghanistan, and to pass
half-way between the New Chaman Fort and the Afghan
outpost known locally as Lashkar Dand. The line
will then pass half-way between the railway station
and the hill known as the Mian Baldak, and, turning
southwards, will rejoin the Khwaja Amran range,
leaving the Gwasha Post in British territory, and the
road to Shorawak to the west and south of Gwasha in
Afghanistan. The British Government will not exercise
any interference within half a mile of the road.

(6) The above articles of agreement are regarded by the Government
of India and his Highness the Amir of Afghanistan as a full and
satisfactory settlement of all the principal differences of opinion
which have arisen between them in regard to the frontier; and both
the Government of India and his Highness the Amir undertake that any
differences of detail, such as those which will have to be
considered hereafter by the officers appointed to demarcate the
boundary line, shall be settled in a friendly spirit, so as to
remove for the future as far as possible all causes of doubt and
misunderstanding between the two Governments.

(7) Being fully satisfied of his Highness’s goodwill to the British
Government, and wishing to see Afghanistan independent and strong,
the Government of India will raise no objection to the purchase and
import by his Highness of munitions of war, and they will themselves
grant him some help in this respect. Further, in order to mark their
sense of the friendly spirit in which his Highness the Amir has
entered into these negotiations, the Government of India undertake
to increase by the sum of six lakhs of rupees a year the subsidy
of twelve lakhs now granted to his Highness.

H. M. DURAND.
AMIR ABDUR RAHMAN KHAN.
KABUL, _November 12, 1893_.

And on March 11, 1895, the following Agreement between the Governments of Great Britain and Russia, with regard to the spheres of influence of the two countries in the region of the Pamirs, and concerning the position of Afghanistan in that region, was drawn up:

(1) The spheres of influence of Great Britain and Russia to
the east of Lake Victoria (Zor Koul) shall be divided by a
line which, starting from a point on that lake near to its
eastern extremity, shall follow the crests of the mountain
range running somewhat to the south of the latitude of the
lake as far as the Bendersky and Orta Bel Passes.

From thence the line shall run along the same range while
it remains to the south of the latitude of the said lake.
On reaching that latitude, it shall descend a spur of
the range towards Kizil Rabat on the Aksu river, if that
locality is found not to be north of the latitude of Lake
Victoria, and from thence it shall be prolonged, in an
easterly direction, so as to meet the Chinese frontier.

If it should be found that Kizil Rabat is situated to
the north of the latitude of Lake Victoria, the line of
demarcation shall be drawn to the nearest convenient point
on the Aksu river, south of that latitude, and from thence
prolonged as aforesaid.

(2) The line shall be marked out, and its precise
configuration shall be settled, by a Joint Commission of
a purely technical character, with a military escort not
exceeding that which is strictly necessary for its proper
protection.

The Commission shall be composed of British and Russian
delegates, with the necessary technical assistance.

Her Britannic Majesty’s Government will arrange with the
Amir of Afghanistan as to the manner in which his Highness
shall be represented on the Commission.

(3) The Commission shall also be charged to report any
facts which can be ascertained on the spot bearing on the
situation of the Chinese frontier, with a view to enable
the two Governments to come to an agreement with the
Chinese Government as to the limits of Chinese territory in
the vicinity of the line, in such manner as may be found
most convenient.

(4) Her Britannic Majesty’s Government and the Government
of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia engage to abstain from
exercising any political influence or control, the former
to the north, the latter to the south, of the above line of
demarcation.

(5) Her Britannic Majesty’s Government engage that the
territory lying within the British sphere of influence
between the Hindu Kush, and the line running from the east
end of Lake Victoria to the Chinese frontier, shall form
part of the territory of the Amir of Afghanistan, that it
shall not be annexed to Great Britain, and that no military
posts or forts shall be established in it.

The execution of this agreement is contingent upon
the evacuation by the Amir of Afghanistan of all the
territories now occupied by his Highness on the right
bank of the Panjah, and on the evacuation by the Amir of
Bokhara of the portion of Darwaz which lies to the south
of the Oxus, in regard to which her Britannic Majesty’s
Government, and the Government of his Majesty the Emperor
of Russia, have agreed to use their influence respectively
with the two Amirs.

Agreement for laying down the Afghan Boundary from the Hindu Kush Range to Nawa Kotal; and confirmed by his Highness the Amir of Afghanistan on December 19, 1895.

AGREEMENT _dated Camp Nashagam, April 9, 1895
= 13th Shawal, 1312_

Forasmuch as, under Article (4) of the Convention concluded
at Kabul on November 12, 1893, between his Highness the
Amir of Afghanistan and Sir Mortimer Durand on behalf
of the Government of India, we the undersigned have been
appointed by our respective Governments for the purpose of
demarcating in concert the frontier of his Highness the
Amir’s dominions on the side of India in this neighbourhood
of Chitrar and Bajaur, it is hereby agreed as follows:

(1) That on the western side of the Kunar River, this
frontier will be the further or eastern watershed of the
stream which in the idiom of Afghans is notorious and known
as the Landai Sin pertaining to the limits of Kafiristan,
and which in the survey map is also written by the name
of Bashgal, so that all the country of which the drainage
falls into the Kunar River by means of this stream belongs,
and will belong, to Afghanistan, and the eastern drainage
of this watershed, which does not fall into the Landai Sin
stream, pertains to Chitrar.

(2) That on the eastern side of the Kunar River, from the
river bank up to the crest of the main range which forms
the watershed between the Kunar River and the country
(_lit._ direction) of Barawal and Bajaur, this frontier
follows the southern watershed of the Arnawai stream, which
falls into the Kunar River close to the village of Arnawai,
leaving to Chitrar all the country of which the drainage
falls into the Kunar River, by means of this stream, while
the southern drainage of this last-mentioned watershed,
which does not fall into the Arnawai stream, pertains to
Afghanistan.

(3) That this frontier line, on reaching the crest of
the main range, which in this neighbourhood forms the
watershed between the Kunar River and the country (_lit._
direction) of Barawal and Bajaur, turns southward along
this watershed, which it follows as far as a point in
the neighbourhood of the Nawa Kotal, leaving all the
country draining into the Kunar River within the limits of
Afghanistan, and all the country draining towards Barawal
and Bajaur outside the limits of Afghanistan; but beyond
the aforesaid point in the neighbourhood of the Nawa Kotal
the frontier has not at present been demarcated.

(4) That on both sides of the Kunar River this frontier,
as described in the three preceding articles, for the most
part requires no artificial demarcation, because it is a
natural boundary following the crests of mountain ranges;
but since, at present, inspection _in situ_ is impossible,
when the ground is examined on the spot, it is probable
that in the places where these mountain ranges abut on
the Kunar River from either side, demarcation by pillars
for a short distance from the water’s edge on both sides
of the river will be found desirable for the purpose
of separating the boundary of Afghanistan from Arnawai
pertaining to Chitrar and the limits of the Kafir country
(_lit._ Kafiristan) of the Landai Sin from Chitrar. In that
case these pillars will be erected along the line of the
watershed described in the first and second articles of
the present agreement, subject to any slight divergencies
from this line which may be necessary to protect the local
rights of villages adjoining the frontier.

(5) That the frontier pillars, wherever considered
desirable, will be erected hereafter by an officer of the
Government of India and an officer of his Highness the Amir
acting in concert.

(6) That these watersheds, forming the frontier agreed upon
as described in the first three articles of the present
agreement, have been marked by a red line on the survey
map attached to this agreement, which, like the agreement
itself, has been signed by us both. In three places--viz.
(i) for a short distance from either bank of the Kunar
River; (ii) in the neighbourhood of the Binshi Kotal; and
(iii) in the neighbourhood of the Frepaman Kotal--this
red line has been broken up into dots, because the exact
position of the watershed in these localities has not
been ascertained with perfect accuracy; but wherever the
watershed may lie the frontier will follow it, subject
only to any slight variations from the watershed which may
be considered necessary under Article (4) of the present
agreement.

(7) That, since on the map attached to the Convention the
Arnawai stream was drawn on the western side of the river
in the place of the Landai Sin of the Kafir country (_lit._
Kafiristan), which has been decided to pertain to the
Afghan Government, and, since after inquiry and inspection
of the same it was clearly ascertained by the survey party
that the aforesaid stream is situated on the eastern side
of the Kunar River, and falls into the river near the
village of Arnawai, and that the drawing of it on the
western side (of the river) in the place of the Landai Sin
was a mistake, this Arnawai stream has (now) been drawn and
marked on the present survey map in its own proper place,
and that stream, which was drawn in the Convention map on
the western side of the river, was the Landai Sin stream of
the Kafir country (_lit._ Kafiristan), which has now been
decided to pertain to the Government of Afghanistan and to
be included in the limits of Afghanistan. Accordingly, in
the present survey map it has been marked with the name
of Landai Sin and has also been written with the name of
Bashgal. Moreover, Sao and Nari and Birkot, and the village
of Arnawai, were not written on the map attached to the
Convention, (but) now in the new survey map the names of
all these four above-mentioned villages have been entered,
the village of Arnawai being written on the Chitrar side of
the boundary line, and Sao, Nari, and Birkot on the side of
the Government of Afghanistan.

(_Signed_) R. UDNY.
(_Signed_) GHULAM HAIDAR KHAN, _Sipah Salar_.

_Letter from_ SIR RICHARD UDNY, K.C.S.I., _Commissioner of Peshawar,
to_ ABDUR RAHMAN, _in respect of occurrences on August 7, 1897_.

(After compliments.)

“I have received instructions by telegram from his
Excellency the Viceroy to inform your Highness that the
Government of India have received information from several
sources that large numbers of Afghan subjects have joined
the Mullah of Adda and taken an active part in the recent
attack on the British frontier post of Shabkaddar and
the burning of the British village of Shankargarh. It is
reported that, notwithstanding the severe losses inflicted
on the Mullah’s gathering by the Border Military Police
holding the Shabkaddar post on the 7th August, and by
British troops on the 9th August, he is still being joined
by large parties of men from all parts of the Jelalabad
Valley, and that the villages of Chardeh, Ambarkhana,
Basawal, Girdi, Sarkani, and Lalpura are keeping rafts
ready for the passage of the various contingents. It has
also been stated that numbers of Afghan sepoys in plain
clothes and Ut Khels from Laughman have joined the Mullah.
It is unnecessary for the Viceroy to dilate upon the
seriousness of this information. His Excellency demands
that you will immediately take steps to recall your
subjects, prevent others from crossing your Highness’s
border with hostile intent, and render it impossible for
them to repeat an offence so exceedingly grave as this
deliberate violation of the British Indian frontier.
The Viceroy in his letter of May 2, 1896, called your
Highness’s attention to the unfriendly conduct of the Sipah
Salar Ghulam Haidar Khan. It is impossible that Afghan
sepoys can have joined in this attack without the knowledge
of the Sipah Salar, and the Viceroy is constrained to warn
your Highness that if you do not control the Sipah Salar,
or withdraw him from his command on the frontier, your
Highness must be held responsible for his actions. For the
rest, may you continue to enjoy good health.

“_Dated August 13, 1897_.”

_Letter from the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN _to the_ COMMISSIONER AND
SUPERINTENDENT, _Peshawar Division, dated Wednesday, 18th
Rabi-ul-Awal, 1315 H. = 18th August 1897_.

(After compliments.)

“I received and perused your letter of the 13th August 1897
= 13th Rabi-ul-Awal, 1315 H.

“I read your letter in order to acquaint myself with the
circumstances concerning Sipah Salar Ghulam Haidar Khan and
the people under the jurisdiction of Jelalabad about which
you have written. I now write to say that, as regards Sipah
Salar Ghulam Haidar Khan and the regular Afghan army, not
a single man is or will be with the followers of Mullah
Najm-ud-din, and hereafter, too, none will accompany him.
As regards tribesmen you know yourself that for fear of me
they can never openly join such a movement; if any one has
come, he must have gone secretly. You are aware yourself
that a few years ago Mullah Najm-ud-din fled from Kabul
and settled at Jarobi in the Peshawar district, that the
trusted officers of the British Government summoned him to
their presence on several occasions, and, though he did
not attend on them, he was keeping up correspondence with
them and had fled from my country. On account of the evil
acts he had committed, and the many disturbances which he
had created among the people, he was so much frightened at
his own misdeeds that he took refuge near Peshawar. The
Mohmands and the people of Jelalabad and of the mountain
districts of Jelalabad look upon him as their prophet,
and at his bidding and the bidding of the Mullah of Manki
thousands of men are their devoted disciples. Just as in
old days in Europe the Popes used to profess to be the sole
disposers of heaven and hell, and the people also accepted
the word of worthless priests, so, too, these Mullahs
claim to possess the same power; and during these last few
years they have stirred up my own Afghan subjects to rebel
against me, so that in every rising, whether at Kandahar or
in the case of Mullah Mushk-i-Alam or in the case of the
Uzbeg Mullahs who joined Ishak in Balkh, it was the Mullahs
on every occasion who created the disturbance. There is a
village called Hadda, which is inhabited by Chumars, or
leather-tanners, but because it is the residence of this
mischievous Mullah Najm-ud-din, his disciples have named
this impure village Hadda Sharif, that is to say, Hadda
the noble, and his pupils and disciples regard him as a
prophet. What calamities are there that they have not
suffered, and what blood is there that they have not shed
by his senseless commands? He has now taken up his abode
in a country which is independent of Kabul and in the
neighbourhood of Peshawar, and has made himself a notable
personage. Under these circumstances, let the trusted
officers of the British Government themselves look at the
matter impartially and say in what way I could deal with
him, and how am I to arrange for him and his disciples,
who regard him as a prophet and gather round him secretly?
Every Mullah for many years denounced me in various ways
as a Kafir, and at their bidding their disciples fought
against me, and their houses were destroyed and they
themselves were killed. For fourteen years they raised
every part of Afghanistan against me, both in the plain
country and in the hills, till thousands of men perished on
both sides, and several of the Mullah agitators themselves
were killed with thousands of the disciples of these
turbulent priests. Every Mullah raised the people against
me as long as he could, and when he had failed he used to
take shelter within the limits of the British Government,
and, by the magnanimity of that Government, a morsel of
bread used to be given him, upon which these Mullahs used
to maintain themselves. These now are the very same Mullahs
who have fled from me and have settled in territory which
is independent of me near Peshawar. In what way, then,
can I manage them? As regards the Sipah Salar and the
regular army, you may rest assured that no such hostile
act shall ever be committed by them, but as it has been
or may have been reported to you that the regular army or
the Sipah Salar Ghulam Haidar Khan is taking part in this
disturbance, this is all a fabrication, and I myself take
oath that neither the troops nor the trusted officers of
Afghanistan have any part in this matter. Every word that
may have reached the ears of the trusted officers of the
British Government is without foundation. On account of the
proximity to you of these Mullahs who are close to your
country, and have now according to the boundary demarcation
fallen within the limits of the British Government, what
more can I add in this matter to these arguments? For the
rest, by the grace of God, all is well. May the days of
honour be perpetual.”

_From_ HIS HIGHNESS THE AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN _and its Dependencies
to the Address of_ HIS EXCELLENCY THE VICEROY, _dated the 19th
Rabi-ul-Awal, 1315 H., corresponding to the 19th August 1897_.

(After compliments.)

“I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I have
received a friendly letter from Mr. R. Udny, Commissioner,
Peshawar, dated the 13th August 1897 (corresponding to the
13th Rabi-ul-Awal, 1315 H.).

“When I received the Commissioner’s letter, I wrote in
reply to him giving true particulars, and writing them to
him in a very sincere and friendly manner....

“If the false utterances and fabricated reports of
self-interested persons be investigated in a friendly
manner, God be pleased, the relations of union and
friendship between these two Governments will always be
considerably strengthened.

“Further, I have to state that I have secured a letter,
written by Mullah Najm-ud-din (of Hadda), which he has
issued as a notification to the people of Ningrahar, and
which is one of the letters of a similar kind which he has
sent to tribesmen in other parts of the country. I send
the original letter of notification issued by the Mullah
in a separate envelope, which is closed and bears on it
my handwriting, enclosed in this friendly letter to your
Excellency. My kind friend, no doubt he has sent such
letters, perhaps hundreds of them, to his disciples among
the tribesmen in Afghanistan. The people also regard him
as holding the position of their Prophet. Such are the
particulars of the Mullah and his disciples.”

_From_ HIS EXCELLENCY THE VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA
_to_ HIS HIGHNESS THE AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.,
_dated Simla, August 30, 1897_.

(After compliments.)

“It gave me pleasure to read the letter of your Highness to
the Commissioner of Peshawar, dated the 18th Rabi-ul-Awal,
1315 H. corresponding to the 18th August 1897. The denial
which your Highness has clearly expressed therein, of any
complicity on the part of your Highness’s officials and
sepoys of the regular army, was made in a still more marked
manner by the public utterances of your Highness at the
Durbar held on the previous day. Your Highness may rest
assured that I should not have suggested the possibility
of so grave a breach of the relations that must subsist
between friendly allies had I not had reason to think that
the complaints made to me were well founded. That your
Highness has taken thus early the opportunity to make
public an emphatic repudiation, on behalf of yourself and
your officials, of any complicity with the actions of the
Mullahs, who have been stirring up strife on the borders
of India, justifies the hope that the charges made can be
disproved, and that for the future no doubt will arise of
the loyalty of your Highness’s subjects and servants to the
alliance with the British Government which your Highness
has again so openly professed.

“It is right that I should tell your Highness the
information which I have received which indicates that
tribesmen from your Highness’s territories have joined the
Mullah of Hadda, and have, in other respects, committed
aggression against the British Government. Bodies of men
from Jelalabad district crossed the Kabul River openly
with flags flying and drums beating. After the fight at
Shabkaddar they returned in the same manner, carrying
their dead and helping their wounded. On the side of Khost
numbers of camels stolen from my troops in Dawar have been
taken across the border, and it is even reported that
these camels have been ordered to be collected by Sirdar
Sherindil Khan. Your Highness will no doubt recognise the
propriety of directing the restoration of camels belonging
to the Government of India, which have been stolen and
carried into Afghan territory.

“Your Highness has said that ‘tribesmen can never join such
a movement openly for fear of me. If any one has come he
must have gone secretly.’ What I now ask your Highness, in
accordance with those assurances of friendship which you
have so readily made, is that you will publicly announce
to the tribesmen through your local officers that, if they
cross the border and join in disturbances against the
British Government, they will incur your displeasure. The
belief is entertained by many misguided persons that they
will not incur your Highness’s displeasure by acting in a
hostile manner against the British Government, and this
belief can be dispelled if your Highness’s local officers
will keep watch along the Kabul River and at other places
in order to prevent your Highness’s subjects from crossing
the frontier with hostile intentions, whether secretly or
openly. I ask your Highness, therefore, to issue orders to
this effect.

“I mention, for your Highness’s information, the following
facts regarding the disturbances that have arisen among
the tribes. These disturbances were wholly unprovoked and
cannot be tolerated. I detailed a force of troops to punish
the tribesmen concerned in the attack upon Malakand and
Chakdarra. This force has visited the Upper Swat Valley and
received the submission of the tribesmen there.

“The circumstances of the Afridis are these; they have
been stirred up to break their engagements of many years’
standing with the British Government and to display
hostility. The men who are responsible for this are Mullah
Said Akbar, Aka Khel, and Mir Bashir, Malikdin Khel. Some
of the Afridi tribe in the Khyber have remained true to
their engagements, but they were unable to resist the
attack of the rest of the tribe. The posts have been
burned, and the road is now undefended and closed to the
passage of kafilas. In the present state of the frontier,
the carriage of valuable goods, and especially of warlike
stores, must necessarily be for the time discontinued.

“I shall deal with the Afridis and any other tribe which
attacks the British border or British posts in a manner to
make clear the supremacy of the British Government. I am
glad to learn that your Highness in Durbar characterised
as false and unfounded the story concocted by designing
persons that the troops assembled at Peshawar were intended
for an attack on Kabul. Your Highness is well aware
that, so long as your Highness on your part observes the
obligations you have undertaken to the Government of India,
the Government of India will honourably adhere to its
promise of supporting your Highness’s Government.”

From HIS HIGHNESS THE AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN _and its Dependencies
to the address of_ HIS EXCELLENCY THE VICEROY, _dated 12th
Rabi-us-Sani, 1315 H., corresponding to the 10th September 1897_.

(After compliments.)

“I have received your Excellency’s friendly letter, dated
the 30th August 1897, and understood the contents.

“As regards the report which your Excellency had received
to the effect that my subjects had openly collected
together and, forming themselves into separate bands, with
flags flying and drums beating, crossed the Kabul River
and joined Mullah Hadda’s party; that after the fight at
Shabkaddar they returned to their places carrying their
dead and helping their wounded; and as to your Excellency
asking me to order my local officers to prevent my subjects
from crossing the frontier and joining Mullah Hadda with
hostile intentions against the British Government, and
even to appoint guards along the Kabul River and at other
places, to prevent them from crossing, my dear friend,
after your Excellency wrote to me, such a thing has not
occurred, viz., that Afghan subjects openly collected in
such bands and crossed the frontier with flags flying. The
true state of affairs has been what I have communicated to
your Excellency in my former letter, _i.e_., that Mullah
Najm-ud-din, an inhabitant of Jarobi, having spread the net
of his cunning, has made numerous people from the different
Afghan tribes his disciples, and they obey his orders to
the utmost extent. During these times, when he became the
source of mischief and disturbances, he has sent letters
in every direction, and invites all people to join him.
I had secured one of his letters, which I sent for your
Excellency’s perusal, and which your Excellency must have
received some time ago.

“I have ordered the local officers to keep watch on
Afghan subjects to the best of their ability, and prevent
them from joining Mullah Hadda. Thus the inhabitants of
Lamkan (Laughman) had collected a large number of people,
numbering about 30,000 men, and prepared flags; but on
the officers receiving my orders, they used their best
endeavours and succeeded in dispersing them; and they all
returned to their homes. No doubt the news-writers on
the frontier must have communicated this report to your
Excellency.

“No tribesmen from my territories can do such an act in
an open manner. Some of them, however, have great faith
in Mullah Hadda, and it is possible that they may have
joined him during the night, travelling like thieves by
unfrequented roads. How is it possible to keep watch on
thieves during nights along such an extensive frontier?

“Your Excellency writes that guards should be appointed
along the Kabul River and on other roads, so that no one
might be allowed to cross over to the other side.

“My kind friend, such an arrangement could only be possible
by posting about ten thousand soldiers on all the mountain
tops and at all the fords in that district. Then they
will be able to execute properly such an arrangement,
otherwise how would it be possible to stop the people who
are familiar with the country? If the well-known roads be
guarded against them, they can, owing to their knowledge of
the country, find paths, over mountains and through desert
tracts, to cross the frontier. As far as possible, however,
the local officials have been watching and will watch any
open movements of the tribesmen.

“As regards the dead and the wounded whom your Excellency
writes that the tribesmen carried away with them after
the fight at Shabkaddar, I beg to state that, if they
have brought back their dead secretly, they have already,
according to their custom, buried them, and now no trace
can be obtained of them. As to the wounded, if questions be
asked, they explain that they are always engaged in tribal
feuds with one another, and they often kill and wound one
another, and that the wounded men have received their
wounds in such tribal feuds; and, as the witnesses belong
to the people concerned, it is difficult to prove anything
contrary to what they allege.

“Your Excellency has kindly informed me that the
disturbances which have broken out on the frontiers of
India have been wholly unprovoked; that a force of troops
was detailed to punish the tribesmen concerned in the
attack upon Malakand and Chakdarra; that the force visited
the Upper Swat Valley and received the submission of the
tribesmen there; that the Afridis, who have had engagements
for many years’ standing with the British Government, have
been stirred to hostility; that the men who are responsible
for this were Mullah Saiyid Akbar, Aka Khel, and Mir
Bashir, Malikdin Khel; that they have burned some of the
posts in the Khyber; that the road was undefended and
closed to the passage of kafilas; that in the present state
the carriage of valuable goods, and especially of warlike
stores, must necessarily be for the time discontinued;
and that the Afridis and other tribes, who have attacked
British Government posts, would be dealt with in a manner
to make clear the supremacy of the British Government.

“I have understood the facts of the circumstances which
your Excellency has detailed, and I feel certain that
the tribesmen, who have stirred up disturbances and who,
without possessing any warlike materials and appliances,
commenced hostilities against the Government, will be put
to flight and dispersed.