AFGHANISTAN 



75 



AFGHANISTAN 





Government. Afghanistan is a monarchy, 

 under a hereditary ruler, called ameer. In 

 reality, the ameer's authority is practically 

 absolute, for autocratic power is needed among 

 a people given to the idea that might makes 

 right and who love a quarrel better than do the 

 people of any other country. The monarch 

 and his governors exercise authority when and 

 where they can, and defend their power when 

 they must. 



History. Alexander the Great was probably 

 the first invader of Afghanistan. He founded 

 the present city of Herat, called then Alex- 

 andria Arion, and began the building of Kanda- 

 har. The great Genghis Khan (which see) 

 conquered it in the twelfth century and at his 

 death it fell to one of his four sons. Britain's 

 entry into the affairs of the nation was in 1839, 

 when a force entered the capital and placed 

 a native prince of its choice upon the throne. 

 The native people conspired against the foreign 

 authority, and in 1841 murdered many English- 

 men in the capital city. The effort to main- 

 tain British supremacy was temporarily aban- 

 doned, and in the retreat of the forces to India 

 thousands were slain. Through Khyber Pass, 

 the only entrance to the country from the 

 south, another army was sent the next year, 

 and Kabul again fell under British authority. 



At this point Russian influence from the 

 north began to be felt, and Russian armies, 

 approaching from Turkestan, presented a situa- 

 tion which nearly led to war between Russia 

 and England, but a settlement of boundaries 

 of spheres of influence averted a conflict. The 

 rulers of Afghanistan have of late years strictly 

 observed the treaties which England forced 

 from them. The British Empire controls all 

 of the country's foreign relations, and in turn 

 gives the ameer an annual subsidy. 



Other Points of Interest. The name Afghan 

 is supposed to mean noisy and tumultuous, and 

 it is certainly well deserved. 



The Afghans claim to be Jewish, the descend- 

 ants of Ishmael, and they do indeed have a 

 Jewish cast of countenance; but scholars be- 

 nevertheless that their claims are un- 

 lod. 



An Afghan feels that it is beneath his dignity 

 to keep a shop or engage in any handle 

 women are rigidly secluded. 

 Afghans are, apparently, very hospitable, 

 "May God protect you" after the 

 st. But the obligations of hospi- 

 M only whilr th- guest is within the 

 -e, and an Afghan will follow his guest and 

 rob him of all he 



Outline and Questions on 

 Afghanistan 



I. Location 



(1) Latitude 29 to 38 30' N. 



(2) Longitude 61 to 75 E. 



(3) Boundaries See map of Asia 



(4) Gateway to India 



II. Physical Characteristic* 



(1) Size 



(a) Comparative 



(b) Absolute 



(2) Surface features 



(a) Mountains 



(b) Tablelands 



(c) Valleys 



(d) Deserts 



III. Climate 



( 1 ) Temperature 



(2) Causes 



IV. People 



(1) Character 



( 2 ) Occupations 



(a) Apiculture 



(b) Mining 



V. Government 



(1) Hereditary ruler 



(2) British control 



(3) Cities 



VI. Hl.tory 



(1) Early Invasions 



(2) British Influence 



(3) Russian interference 



Questions 



How does the area compare with that 

 of Germany? Of Saskatchewan 7 Of 

 France? 



Why does England value her hold 

 on Afghanistan? 



Are the Afghans well named? 



What Is the religion of the Afghans? 



Could tourists travel through the 

 country in an automobile? 



Doe* Great Britain really possess 

 the country as It does Canada? 



Is the hospitality of the Afghans 

 true hospitality^ 



la there any Justification for the 

 autocratic rule of the ameer? 



What city of Afghanistan can claim 

 v distinguished founder? 



What nation has contended with 

 Great Britain for control of the coun- 

 try? 



Has the country a railroad? 



