1854.] Some Remarks on the Origin of the Afghan people. 567 



Mahmiid, Ghaznivfde, Malik Zirak of Shah Rukh Mirza, son of Amir 

 Timiir, Giirgani, between whose reigns there is a period of some three 

 centuries. As has been already noticed, the names of the most cele- 

 brated chieftains can alone have been preserved by their countrymen, 

 whilst those of less fame have sunk into oblivion. 



The district of Eudah and Kaseghar, as before stated, not being 

 of sufficient extent to support the great number of people, to which 

 the Afghans had by this time increased, Malik Zirak was induced 

 to send an agent to Shah Eukh Mirza,* at Hirat, for the purpose of 

 soliciting a grant of the districts round Kandahar. This request 

 was favourably listened to by the Shah, and Zirak in consequence 

 gave directions to the Abdali, Barech, Tarin, Jamad, Ghalzo'e, Kakur, 

 Kasi, Babur, and other tribes — who were more numerous than the 

 extent of their lands could support — to proceed to Kandahar and 

 settle on the lands granted by the Shah in that district. To each 

 tribe a portion of land was given, in proportion to the number of 

 families of which it consisted, and for which ground they had to pay 

 a small tax to the Governor of the province. 



Zirak had three sons — Popul, Barak, and Alako, from whom have 

 sprung the Populzo'es, Barakzo'es and Alakzo'es. At his death 

 Popul succeeded him in the chieftainship of the whole Afghanah peo- 

 ple. Being a sagacious and intelligent chief, and endowed with the 

 tact of government, he kept the whole of the tribes under subjection 

 and obedience. They also were generally well satisfied with his 

 government, but at the same time, those who showed any opposition 

 to his authority, were punished by the Kandahar Governors, and this 

 tended still more to keep all under proper restraint. 



Popul had also three sons — Habib, Badti, and Aiyiib. The two 

 former were by one mother, and the latter by another wife. Some 

 also say that Aiyiib was the son of the first wife by a former husband. 



Badii was the ancestor of the Badtizo'es, and Aiyiib of the Aiyiib- 

 zo'es. At length Popul suddenly finding his end approaching, sent 

 for his children, and after giving them much good advice, and exhort- 

 ing them to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors, departed this 

 life, leaving the chieftainship of the tribes in the hands of his eldest 

 son Habib. 



* The accomplished son of the great Timur. 



