Vlll 
Preface. 
The Kafir dialects are not written. There are no Kafir 
books, and it is generally said there are no rock inscrip¬ 
tions in the country which would help to throw any light 
on the origin of the language. It would be interesting 
to find the rock inscription, ordered to be set up by 
the Emperor Timur, referred to in Appendix I, if it is 
in existence.* Sir George Robertson (1S96) and Dr. Wolff 
(1861) mention a rumour that some rock inscriptions 
exist in the country, and Colonel Gardner states he saw 
some about 1826 A.D. The popular Kafir sentiment regard- 
ing writing and reading will be found recorded in sentence 
No. 1129. The Kafirs, however, have a legend that, at 
one period of their race, they practised reading and writing. 
It seems desirable that the language, as it is now 
used, should be mastered, for the Afghan rule must result 
in its becoming largely modified. 
As a consequence of the conversion of the Kafirs to 
Mahomedanism, which will take place to a large extent 
within a few years, very many of their manners, customs, 
and religious and social ceremonies will undergo a great 
change. Indeed it is hardly too much to predict that, as 
no written records exist of the Kafir languages, in a few 
* Since the above was printed The Life of Abdur Rahman, Amir of Afghanis¬ 
tan, G.C.B., G.U.S.I.,” edited by Mir Muushi Sultan Mahomed Khan, London, 
1900, has been published. 
The following is an extract from pages 291, 292 :— 
« I intend to make the Port of Kullum (which is situated in the heart of 
Kafiristan in the most impregnable part of the country, owing to its strong posi¬ 
tion) the military station for the main body of my army on the northern frontier. 
“ It will be interesting to mv readers to hear a stone was found at the gate of 
the Port of Kullu m, on which these words were engraved : — 
“The Great Mogul Emperor Timour was the first Muslim conqueror who van» 
quished the country of this unruly people up to this point, but could not take 
Kullum, owing to its difficult position.” 
