﻿74 ON THE DESCENT OF THE 



The translation being finished, I shall only add that 

 the country of the Afghans, which is a province of 

 Cahul, was originally called Boh, and from hence is 

 derived the name of the Bohillahs. The city, which 

 was established in it by the Afghans, was called by 

 them Pr.ishwer, or Paishor, and is now the name of 

 the whole district. The sects of the Afghans, or Pa- 

 tans, are very numerous. The principal are these : — 

 Lod'i, Lohauni, Sur, Serzvani, Yusujzihi, Ba7igish, Di- 

 lazai, Khatii, Yasin. KhaiL and Baloje. The mean- 

 ing of Zihi, is offspring ; and of Khail, sect. A very 

 particular account of the Afghans has been written by 

 the late Hafiz Rahnat Khan, a chief of the Bohillahs, 

 from which the curious reader may derive much infor- 

 mation. They are Maitlntdns, partly of the Simni, and 

 partly of the S/iiah persuasion. They are great boasters 

 of the antiquitv of their origin, and reputation of their 

 tribe ; but bther' MuseMdris entirely reject their claim, 

 and consider them of modern and even base extrac- 

 tion. However, their character may be collected from 

 history, they have distinguished themselves by their 

 courage, both singly and unitedly, as principals and 

 auxiliaries. They have conquered for their own prin- 

 ces and for foreigners, and have always been consider- 

 ed the main strength of the army in which they have 

 served. As they have been applauded for virtues, 

 they have also been reproached for vices, having some- 

 times been guilty of treachery, and even acted the base 

 part of assassin?. 



