PART III
DONALD N. WILBER ON KAFIRS:
“Parts of Nuristan (Kafirstan) formed a portion of Greek satrapy of
the Paropamisadae in the fourth and third c B.C. The People were then
called Kambojas and described as of mixed Indo-Iranian descent. Possibly
they occupied a much larger area then and were gradually forced from
central Afghanistan into their present mountains by the Moslem
onslaught. One of their principal tribes is still called Kam or
Kamtoz…â€
“The Moslem appellation of Kafirs is mentioned in 1020 A.D. by the
historians of Mahmud of Ghazni. The other references to them were made
by writers in the fouteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and
during the Moghul period. In 1839, the Kafirs sent a deputation to Sir
William Macnaghten in Jalabad, claiming relationship with fair skinned
British troops who had invaded the country.â€
“Historically, the Afghans are first mentioned by name (Avagana) by
early sith century Indian astronmer Varaha Migira in his Brahat Samhiti.
A little later, the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang mentions a tribe of
A-po’kien, located in the Sulayman mountains. The earliest Moslem
works mentioning them are the Hudud al’Alam (982 A.D.), the
Tarikh-I-Yamini and those of Biruni. The Indian appellation Pathan does
not occur till 16th c, but the change into Pathan (from plural of
Pushtun; Pushtana) indicates that it must have been used at a much
earlier date. Biruni places the Afghans in western frontier mountains
of India. No Afghan settlement west of Ghazni is mentioned by early
authors. The origin and early history of westernmost Pushtun tribe, the
Abdalis remains obsecure†[op cit, p 40]
cf: “Mahmud Gazhni had to fight with ‘Kafirs’ Afghans living in
the Sulayman mountains ranges. In the war between Prithvi Raj Chohan and
Mohamad Dhori, the Afgans fought on both sides…This obviously proves
that all Afghans did not embrace Islam yet…..(Afghan Immigration in
early middle ages: article contributed by K. S. Lal in the book
“Studies in asian History, p 21).
Cf: “In warfare at the end of twelfth century between the Moslems and
Hindus, Afghans are represented as fighting on both sides, which
suggests that although legend places their conversion in the early
Islamic period, they had not yet all been converted to Islam.
Repeatedly, they are referred to as a rebellious and turbulent people.
Timur considered them (Kafirs of Sulayman) brigands and is reported to
have ravaged their strongholds ain the Sulayman mountains. Their
reputation as a fierce race of mountain robbers and occasionally,
soldiers of fortune turned to fame with rise to power in India of the
Afghans adventurer, Daulat Khan Ludi of Ludi clan of
Ghilzaiâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦. [ibid, pp 40-41]
“In physical type, most Kafirs are above average height, with slender
build, hair ranging from straight to wavy and skin color described as
resembling that of residents of Punjab and presumably similar to
Afghans. The nose is slender and straight or sometimes acquiline in
shape. …..Only Presungeli are noticeably different, powerfully built,
with heavy low forehead, close-set eyes, a broader nose, a receding
chin, a darker skin color—and it is possible that the Presungeli
represent the aboriginal inhabitants of the areaâ€
“The Kafir tribal structure as described by Robertson was similar to
that of other tribes in Afghanistan, but in addition to the tribesmen
there were two non-tribal classes, the poor freemen and the slaves. The
slaves were ususlly the war captives, although they might be purchased
from other Kafirs. House slaves lived with family which owned them and
enjoyed a higher status than did the artisan slaves who were treated
much as members of occupational castes were in India. All craftmen among
the Kafirs—such as wood carvers, bootmakers, weavers were slaves, as
were drummers. Blacksmiths were considered of lower caste than other
slaves, but all slaves were impure and were prohibited from approaching
the shrine or house of a priest…..â€
“One receives status in the tribe by killing Moslems. And the man who
killed four or five Moslems earned the the right to waer a special kind
of shawl. In raids upon Moslems, with whom there were contant blood
feuds, the killer took an ear or scalp lock for a trophy in addition to
whatever booty could be seized. When a raiding party returned home, a
victory dance was held. There were usually no feuds within the tribe but
if a fight did start, it was the duty of all witness to intervene at
once. In the event a man was killed, his murderer had the choice either
to pay compensation or go into exileâ€. (Afghanistan, its people, its
Society, its culture, 1962 Donald N. Wilber, p 50, 51, 311)
SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON: A BRITISH INVESIGATOR.
Scott Robertson spent several years with Kafirs in Kafirstan in late
19th c . He resaeched the various Kafir tribes of Kafirstan. He put his
findings in a book called “The Kafirs of Hindukushâ€. The text
refers to the times when these people were still non-believers
(so-called Kafirs). In 1895, their leaders were duplicitously taken
prisoners and the so-called Kafirs were forecibly converted to Islam by
Afghan Chief Amir Abdur Rahman Khan of Kabol. After conversion, they
were re-named as Nuris (enlightened ones). Their province was thence
afterwards named as Nuristan (land of light). The story Sir George
Scott Robertson narrates relates to pre-islamization of Kafirstan.
SOME EXCERPTS FROM HIS BOOK “THE KAFIRS OF HINDUKUSHâ€.
States Scott Robertson: “….Thus the upper part of Bashgul Valley is
called Katirgul (Lutdeh in Chitrali, or Kamtoz in Pushtu), the middle
part Muman (Madugal in Chitrali) and the lower part Kam (Kamdesh in
Chitrali or Kamoz in Pushtu)†[ Kaffirs of Hindukush, 1896, p 71, Sir
George Scott Robertson, K.C. S. I.)
The Kafir Tribes: (as of 1890):
(1)Katirs (consisting of Kamoz Kafirs, Kti or Katawar Kafirs, Kulam Kafirs, Ramgulis Kafirs)
(2)Siaposh ( Kams/Kamtoz Shiaposh, Muman/Madugul Siposh, Kashtoz Shiaposh, Jezhis Kafirs, Gourdesh Siaposh)
(3)Sfedposh/Lalposh ( Wais, Ashkuns, Presuns/Virons)
The above was the general classification which Scott Robertson did in 1890.
This classification was based on colour of robes which these tribes
would wear in those times. Note that this classification does not divide
the Kafirs on ethnic basis. Ethnically, the Katirs and Siaposh tribes
are said to belong to one ethnic group according to Sir Robertson. The
Wai Kafirs he describes more closer to the Greeks. The Presuns/Virons
(of Sfedpiosh general group) and Gourdesh (from Siaposh general group)
are from ancient tribes which are non-Aryans according to George
Scott.
The important subtribes of Kam or Kam people are: Utahdari, Demidari,
Garakadari, Sukadari, Bilezhedari, Waidari, Lanandari, Kanardari,
Gutkechdari and Batardari Kams. The first six are most important.
The Chief clans of the Katirs (Kamoz Kafirs) are:
Jannahdari, Barmodari, Shakldari, Mutadawadari, Charedari, Shtukdari and
Sowadari. The Jannahdari are wealthiest and overshadow all other Karirs
(Kamoz) subtribes.
States Sir Scott Robertson: “The Katirs(Kamtoz), the Kams (Kamoz),
and the Wais* are mainly descended from ancient Indian population of
East Afghanistan who refused to embrace Islam in 10th c A.D. and fled
for refuge from victorious Moslems to hilly countries of Kafirstan. The
Jezis and the Aroms (Gourdesh) of Siaposh group are the remanents of
other races who were living in these hilly regions before the advent of
above three subtribes. They were either driven away or were amalgamated
into the above three invading tribes. The Presuns of Sfedposh are the
aboriginal (non-Aryan) raceâ€. (op cit p 157)
*Note: George Scott Robertson describes the Wais Kafirs as having some glimpses of ancient Greek cultural influence though.
Investigators like Scott Robertson, Richard F. Strands etc have
analyzed all the Kafir tribes of Kafirstan. They all agree that Kams of
Kamdesh are though comparatively small in number, but because of their
unity, they are the virtual kings of Bashgul valley. Again and again,
they have been described as the trouble makers in the Kafirstan.
“Inspite of their being in microscopic minority as compared to the
Katir , Gourdesh, Madugul, Wai, Ashkun, Presun tribes of the Hindukush
Kafirs, the Kam tribes are the virtual kings of the entire Bashgul
valley area. This is simply because of unity among Kam their
tribesâ€, writes Sir George Scott Roberstson
“As there is no rock inscriptions, no ancient books, nor any
literature of any kind to be found in Kafirstan, and as the traditions
of the people themselves give such small help in forming any opinion
concerning their origin, the only hope which remains that the Kafirs may
be eventually assigned their proper place in general history of the
world is from a comparative study of their language, their manners and
customs, and their religious ceremonies, as well as from their cranial
measurements, and other anthrometric observations.; that they have no
admixture of Tarter (Mongol/Turkic) blood seems obvious; that they came
from west, at least the great majority of them, is their own fixed idea,
and more is more than probable. If there be point of resemblence
between the present Kafirs and the ancient Greek sacrificial
observances, and if certain of their domestic utensils…such for
instance, as Wai wooden dish stand—may seem to be fashioned in Grecian
mould, it may fairly be conjectured that some of the Kafir tribes, at
any rate, are still INFLUENCED, by Greek colonists of Alexander; that
these Kafirs having never been under the rule of Muslemans, may possibly
represent some of the people of Eastern Afganistan, as they were before
the victorious Moslem defeated and converted them to Islam†(op cit p
161-162)
The Wai and Ashkun Kafirs as a tribe are either from ancient Yavanas
or are probably under the cultural influence of those (Yavana=Greek)
people who have been described to be living as neighbors to Kamboja
people per Asoka's Rock Edicts (R.E. V: Yona-Kamboja-Gandharanam; R.E.
XIII: Yone-Kambojesu …R.E. XIII) .Or of the Ramayana…. Kamboja-Yona
sawya (Ramayana Kishakanda Kanda 43/11), ….cf:
Yone-Kamboj-Gandharam (of Mahabharata) and Yone-Kambojesu (of Pali
religious texts etc.).
With reference to the above said Wai Kafirs who are described by Scott
Robertson as being under some subtle ancient cultural Greek influence,
we personally see in them the reflection of those Kambojas of northern
Archotia/Kandhar (Central Afghanistan) who were neighbors to the
Yanvanas of Southern Archotia (cf: Shar-I-Kuna Inscriptions in
Greek/Aramaic scripts). Thus most possibly, the three major tribes of
the Kafirs (Katirs, Kams, Wais) have all probably retreated
from Kandhar. Some of them were under Greek cultural influence for
obvious reasons being their long time neighbors in Kandhar, they had
imbibed certain Grecian manners, customs and some linguistic influences
from their neighbors.

11-24-2001, 12:18 AM
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MINOR CORRECTIONâ€
INCORRECT
MINOR CORRECTIONâ€
INCORRECTâ€
“Thus most possibly, the three major tribes of the Kafirs (Katirs,
Kams, Wais) have all probably retreated from Kandhar. Some
of them were under Greek cultural influence for obvious reasons…being
their long time neighbors in Kandhar, they had imbibed certain Grecian
manners, customs and some linguistic influences from their neighborsâ€
CORRECT:
“Thus most possibly, out of these three major tribes of the Kafirs
(Katirs, Kams, Wais) the Wai tribe probably retreated from
Kandhar. They were under Greek cultural influence for obvious
reasons…being a long time neighbors of Yavanas in Kandhar. They had
imbibed certain Grecian manners, customs and some linguistic influences
from their long time friends and neighbors.â€
The inadvertent error is regretted.
PART IV
SOME COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS OF SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON ABOUT THE
KAFIRS OF HINDUKUSH, ESPECIALLY WITH REFERENCE TO KAM, (KAMOZ), KATIR
(KAMTOZ) AND WAI KAFIR TRIBES OF KAFIRSTAN:
“The Kam Kafirs are the most famous tribe of Kafirstan………..The
Kams and the Wais tribes are the fircest and most intractable of all
the Kafir tribes while of those two, the Kams (Kamoz) are the most to
be dreaded for their military prowess……… Admirers of form would
delight in Kafirs in their own country. They give such an impression of
gracefulness and strength when once the eye has become used to the vile
robes they wear…As might be expected of a wild, excitable people,
their gestures are highly dramatic….their pluck is immense…Their
countenances are of distinct Aryan type, the nose, as a rule, being
particularly well-shaped. The Kam and wais contain the handsomest people
I have seen, especially the Wais. ……In the highest form, the men
have well-shaped heads, good features and quite steady eyes….The cast
of feature is grave, one might almost say intellectual….One of the
greatest surprises in store for a traveller who has only seen Kafirs out
of their own country is observe their wonderful sense of personal
dignity…their solemn manner and proude bearing are remarkable. …they
are merry and selfrespecting… A Kafir, wild and independent as he
appears at first sight, has a strange reluctance to act on his own
responsibility on any important doubteful question. He loves to go off
with his fellows and noisily discuss what should be done. …The Kafirs
are extremely social….With a single Kafir it is easy to do as you
please, provided you do not transgress his unwritten code of manners or
run athwart his national customs….A kafir in his own way is a model of
politeness…Among the Kafirs, the expenditure on food supplies in
entertaining guests must be great…..Kafirs, both by nature and
necessity, are most hospitable… Kafirs are very quarrelsome among
themselves. It is absolutely important for a man to take a quarrel up on
the instant to assert his manhood.. I have never seen any gathering of
Kam or Katir men without no seeing one or two rows…. Hardly a day
passes witjout a disturbance somewhere, due to this cause….But if a
quarreling is manly thing, peacemaking is sacred virtue among the
Kafirs. Men, boys and even dogs are separated at the first indication
of a probable fight. ….The Kafirs are extremely quick in their
movements that an instantaneous quarrel is followed by a lightning-like
onslaught, and so one or the other of the combatants often gets more or
less hurt, but there is never time for a second blow. The fighters are
at once seized, hurled aside and separated or thrown down and literally
set upon the by standers. Any one who would not lend a hand in stopping a
village fight will be looked upon and would consider himself a mean and
unworthy..……It is as natural for a Kafir to thieve as it is for him
to eat. The children are encouraged to steal….The villagers think it
only natural to thieve……..The Kafirs are never rough and cruel to
animals….There is nothing like religious tolerance among the
Kafirs….The Kafir always cling to his blood…Kafirs are extremely
avengeful people. Even if a Kafir slave-boy sold out of his tribe by
the members were executed, say for murder, in Chitral, he would be
avenged by his tribe.…. Their inter-tribal hatred is so immense that
it often entirely deadens their political foresight… ….Although a
Kafir thinks it is virtue and in accordance with religion to kill
Musalmans and give himself the benefit of any doubt about their enemies;
although in his raids into hostile territories whether Kafir or
Musleman, he spares neith men nor women, although he holds human life as
of very little account., and although, in hunting, he may appear to
brutal methods of getting the game, he is not a cruel man by nature.
….Family affections in Kafirstan are very strong. Some tribes are in
the habit of selling little girls, and money will tempt some men even to
sell children who are nearly related to them, but as a general rule, it
is the offering of slaves that they dispose of most readily… To any
one who considers how wild he is, his comparative freedom from brutality
is astonishing…Kafirs are wonderfully brave…In view of the inferior
nature of their weapons, they achieve wonders…the chief reason the
Kafirs have been able to maintain their independence is the gallantry,
reckless bravery and devotion with which they defend themselves…Kafirs
are splendidly loyal to one another (friends of friends) and are
accustomed to acts of self-sacrifice…a Kafir will never desert his
friends in lurch even at the price of their own life…In the Kafir
opinion, a really fine character, what he emphatically calls a†good
man†must possess the following attributes: He must be successful
homicide, a good hillman, ever-ready to quarrel, and of an amorous
disposition, a good dancer, a good shot, a good stone-quoit player and
rich….Kafirs can be easily bribed, and will do almost any thing for
money, but their natural natural boastfulness compels them them to
publish the fact that they have have been clever enough to wrest money
from stranger..when the cupidity of their friends and relations is at
once inflamed, reason is thrown into the winds, and the gravest
difficulties then arise….It is probable that there is no single tribe
of Kafirs at the present day which is at peace with all other tribes.
Some of their wars, if the wars they can be called, have continued for
generations…For instance, that between the Kams and the most western
Katirs, the Ramgulis (Kamoz) is said to have lasted over hundred
years….A man of any position who has been killed must be atoned for by
blood…. For one’s honor and that of one’s family, come what may,
one must kill the murderer in front of the dead man’s coffin… in
that case, the Kafirs can not ever ever be bribed for whatever
money….. Kafirs are theoretically all equal……..(2, 3, 166,
167,168, 181, 184, 185,188,169,190, 191, 194, 197, 432, 433, 560, 562,
563, op cit).
As said above, "A man of any position who has been killed must be atoned
for by blood ........For one’s honor and that of one’s family, come
what may, one must kill the murderer in front of the dead man’s
coffin… in that case, the Kafirs can not ever ever be bribed for
whatever money….."
AN INTERESTING EPISODE DESCRIBED BY GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON CONCERNING A KAM KAFIR:
“...A man of any position who has been killed must be avenged and
atoned for by blood. In 1891 Kam Kafirs were hunting some Janul
Mosalmans down the Kunar Valley. Jandulis ran for shelter to Mehtar’s
(Tribal Chief’s) new fort at Nursut, which was garrisoned by Chitrali
soldiers. The fort door was banged to just as the last Musalman closely
followed by leading Kam Kafir, passed through. It was a near shave,
and the Chitrali at the gate had to fire, killing the Kafir, to keep him
entering the gate.â€
“Time passed until in 1893, I found myself at Chitral an a special
mission from Government of India to the Mehar Nizam-ul-Mulk. One day a
messanger came to me from a well known Kam Kafir named Shyok, who sent
word that, as an old friend of mine, he was anxious not to cause trouble
of any kind in the then critical state of affairs at Chitral, but that
the man who had been killed at Nari fort was a member of his (Shyok)
family and although the slain was an individual of no tribal importance,
yet Shyok must a Chitrali ti kill. In the circumstances, to prevent
complications and particularily out of friendship with me, Shyok was
prepared to accept any Chitrali..a slave even, but a Chitrali of some
kind or other he must have. As I knew Shyok to be remarkable for
cupidity (greed) even among the Kafirs, it seemed as if there should be
little difficulty in settluing the matters by paying him ransom for the
slain person; but broaching the subject to my Kafir son Shermalik, who
had been sent to see me as Shyok’s ambassador, he remarked: “You
know Shyok well. There is nobody in Kafirstan so greedy and avaricious
as he is, yet if you offer him a Lakh of rupees (wow a Lakh in
1896!!!!), he can not accept it. For his honor’s sake, he must have a
Chitrali to kill in front of the dead man’s coffin in Kafirstan. All
my arguments and persuasions failed. Shermalik said that the Mehar
(Chief of Chitral) would understand the situation and would readily
supply a victim if advised to do so…How the affair was settled I do
not know. Probably Shyok or some of his friends caught some unfortunate
Chitrali and killed him and Mehar winked at the deed, if he heard of it
at all….......†(Kafirs of Hindukush, 1896, pp 562-562, Scott
Robertson).
DEPLORABLE:
“All the neighboring Musalman tribes have intense hatred of Kafirs,
with the exception, perhaps of the Kunar valley Gabar villagers and
Minjanis. This does not arise, I am convinced, from religious
prejudices…as much as from the injuries the Musalmans have had from
the Kafirs through the long ages. Similarily, the Kafirs love to dance
to Gish (their god of war) after killing Musalmans, but their hatred of
Afghans is far more than religious fanaticism. Even in times of remote
past, it has kept the two people at bitter feud. Both Kafirs and
Afghans are brigands by instinct, and both are careless of human life.
Perhaps Kafirs are the worst of the two in both respects, but the Afghan
makes the account more than even by his added perfidy and cunning.â€
(op cit p 567-568).
WAR STRATEGY OF KAMS:
“When attacked by foreigners, who are always armed with much better
fire-arms and other weapons than the Kafirs possess, the latter
usually adopt purely a defensive tactics. They hold positions, from
little ambuscades, and so forth but are always prepared to fall back
before the superior strenghth of the enemy. They seek to cut off
stragglers and harass the invaders in every possible way. Then, when the
enemy, from accumulated lossess, lack of supplies or hopelessness of
further successes begins to retreat, the lightfooted Kafirs attack hin
on all sides like a swarm of hornets. Dogged resistance is turned into
furious bravery. A Kafir never fights so well as when the advantage is
on his side. He plays a wining game splendidly. Each man tries to
emulate the traditionsal heroes of his tribe and will prerform the
grandest deeds to gain the admiration of his fellows. I was told of the
Kafir man Shyok that on one occasion he dashed single-handedly into a
group of the enemy, stabbed to death several people right and left and
then escaped uninjured. He is a man of enormous strength and ispite of
his weight, he is as active as a leopard†(op cit p 567).
WRITES GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON PHILOSOPHICALLY:
“Civilization abruptly fell aspleep centuries ago in Kafirstan….and
still is in a dormant state......... These Kafirs constantly become
degenrated until their tribal headquarters are merely a robbers’
nests…….. If it were not for their splendid courage, their domestic
affections, and their overpowering love for freedom, these Kafirs would
indeed have been a hateful people..........In other respects, they are
what they have been made by uncontrollable circumstances. For them, the
world has not grown softer as it has grown older. Its youth could not be
crueler than its present maturity, but if they had been different, they
would have been enslaved centuries ago. ……Their present ideas, and
all the associations of their history and their religion, are simply
bloodshed, assassinations, and blackmailing; yet they are not savages.
Some of them have the heads of Philosopers and statesmen. Their
features are Aryans and their mental capabilities are great, their love
for decoration, their carvings, their architecture…. all point to a
time when they were higher in the himan scale than they are of a
present. They never could be brutal savages, like some of the African
races….because they are of different type…. but they are as degraded
in many respects as it is possible for this type ever to become.....â€
(op cit p 162-63).
NOTE: Numerically, the Katir/Kamtoz (over 30 thousand) are more
important than all the remaining tribes of Kafirstan put together. The
Kamoz Kafirs are numberd only about 15-20 thousand out of total of
little over 0.1 million population of Nuristan.. By virtue of their
unity among themselves, militarily, the Kam kafirs are the most
predominant group in whole of Nuristan. George Scott Robertson styles
the Kams as the virtual kings of Bashgul valley. They have been
described by several investigators as the persistent 'trouble makers'
in Kafirstan/Nuristan.
COMMENT: The Great guerilla Commander and Hero, Anwar Amin, who had
played a crucial role in an organnized and sustained resistance against
the Soviets and who was mainly reponsible in bringing them to their
very knees as also ultimately shaking the vast Soviet Empire too its
very foundations, belonged to the famous Kam (Kamoz) tribe of
Nuristan.(Richard F. Strand).
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11-24-2001, 03:59 AM
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PART V
The Katawer Kafirs m
PART V
The Katawer Kafirs mentioned by Sharifudin (Temur's historian) were the
ancestors of the modern Katirs, who are a numerous branch of the
Shiaposh Kafirs currently living north-east of Alishang. This shows that
the Katawers and Shiaposh Kafirs were more wide spread and living more
openly during the times of Mongolian king Timur. Over the time, their
area has shrunk, which means that the Kafirs living towards farther
areas of Panjshir have in the meantime become Mohhamadan converts. All
Kafirs except the Presun, Madugal, Kashtan and Istrat/Gourdesh tribes
are described by several investigators as belonging to Indo Aryan class,
having sharp features, brownish and bluish eyes, slender, straight or
some times aquiline noses, dark or brownish or many times blond hair,
fair colors and well built and tall statures. The Wai and Ashkun Kafirs
who seem related to each other have been decribed by some scholars as
possibly having Greek blood or are described as the descendents of
Greek soldier colonies of the post- Alexandra era. G. Robert Scott
describe the Wais/Ashkuns as being under the Greek influence of yore.
The Presun Kafirs have been described as the aboriginal inhabitants of
Kafirstan, with Dravidian features and blood, who seem to have
successfully resisted the onslaughts of the retreating Kafir tribes and
with whom these Presun Kafirs seem to have settled on equal terms.
Several investigators and scholars have established that Kams and Katirs
tribes are descendents of ancient Kambojas. To gather, they number
about 50000 out of over 100,000 population of Nuristan. These two tribes
form most militant and dominant tribes of Nuristan. The Kam tribe
which is the most united tribe of Nuristan also is the most dominating
of all Nuristani tribes. The Kams and the Katir tribes, to all
probability, are the descendents of the Kapisha KAMBOJAS WHO HAD
CROSSED HUNDUKUSH from Badakshan and spread into the Paropamisadean
region in the pre-Buddhist days. Kam’s current headquareter is Kamdesh
in Bashgul valley in Nuristan.
Probably, the Wais are also from the ancient Kambojas of Kandhar, who
are said to have been Yavana’s neighbors (Shar-I-Kuna Inscriptions of
king Ashoka). They were probably the Repulican Kambojas who had earlier
moved to Kandhar in later epic times and had set up their independent
Repulic in Archosia. During Alexandra times, a part of their territory
was taken and colonized by Yavanas (Archosia). It has been suggested by
scholars that the south side of Archosia may have been controlled by
Yavanas while the north side probably remained in possession of the
Kambojas during and after the Maurya kings. Ashoka’s Shar-I-kuna
Inscription of Kandhar was located at the coterminous (common) boundary
of Kamboja and Yavana settlements in Archosia [The Problems of Ancient
India, 2000, K. D. Sethna, p 3-4, The Location of Kamboja, Purana Vol
IV, No 1, Jan 1964, K. D. Sethna). Wais Kafirs seem to be the
descendents of these Archotian Kambojas who had been in intimate
cultural contact with Yavanas for long long time. During Moslem
onslaughts, some of these Kamboja clans had receded back to their blood
kithmen (Kapisha Kambojas) living in Paropamisadean region since ancient
times. The retreating tribe was the so-called Wais Kafirs of Scott
Robertson. The Katirs and the Kams tribes, their blood Kithmen, to all
probability, had been living in Paropamisafea region since earliest
time.
The Kashtan and Istrat Kafirs are described as the slave progeny of the
tribal people who were overpowered and enslaved by the Kams, Katirs
tribes who had receded from frontlines of Parpamisadean territoty into
the interior mountainous defiles and occupied the present valleys in
the 10/11th century.
*******END********
SORDID DRAMA IN REAL LIFE PLAYED ON THE INDIAN SOIL:
A MATTER OF SHAME FOR ALL WE INDIANS:.
LESSONS:
DIVIDED WE FELL IN OLDEN TIMES, LET US BE UNITED SO THAT WE MAY NOT GO THRU SIMILAR DISGRACE AGAIN.
FROM HISTORY PERSPECTIVE:
Invasion of Timur the KAMBOJA tribes of Kapistan (Modern
Nuristan…Afganistan) as also other tribes of northern India: [Based
on Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, 398-477)
“…..Before Timur launched his Indian expedtion, information reached
him that his grandson Pir Muhammad, the governor of Kabul, Qandhar,
Gazni and other neighboring regions had already sent an expeditions
against India, which crossed the river Sindhu, captured Uch and besieged
Multan. Timur, on his part, started from Samarqand early in A.D. 1398
(March or April). When he reached Afghanistan, a large number of
Muslims, both high and low, complained to him of the ill-treatment which
they constantly received at the hands of the infidel of Kator and
Siyaposh and asked for his protection which was readily granted†[ref:
History and Culture of Indian People, The Delhi Sultanate, p 117 Dr R.
C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar, Dr Munshi].
COMPLAINT FILED BY THE BELIEVER MUSLIMS AGAINST THE KAFFIRS/NON-BELIEVERS:
“The infidel Kators and the Siyaposhes exact tribute and blackmail
every year from us who are true believers, and if we fail in the least
of our settled amount, they slay our men and carry our women and
children into slavery†(ref: Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III,
p 400 ).
SOME COMMENT BY THE AUTHORS OF THE BOOK: “It appears that the Muslims
complaints practically amounted to the system of distraint for
realizing the arrears in rent or tribute (settled amount). The degree of
severity was naturally exaggerated by them, particularly as it was
imposed by the infidels on the true belivers. This aspect the case
clearly emerges both from the address of the Muslims and the reply of
Timur: “On hearing these words. The flame of my zeal for Islam, and my
affection for my religion, began to blaze “[ref: History and Culture
of Indian People, The Delhi Sultanate, p 123, Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A.
D. Pusalkar, Dr Munshi].
(Based on: Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, p 400 ).
“Timur himself proceded against Kator, which denoted the region
between Kashmir and Kabol. And sent a detachment against the Siyaposhes.
The fort of the Kator, deserted by the people, was leveled with the
ground and houses of the city were burnt down. The infidels who took
refuge on top of the hill were defeated and many of them put to death.
Some of the infidels held out for three days and Timur offered them the
usual alternative of death or Islam. They chose the latter, but soon
recanted and attacked a regiment of Muslim soldiers during night. But
the latter were on their guard and killed a number of infidels and took
150 of them as prisoners “who were afterwards put to death by enraged
soldieryâ€. As soon as it was day, Timur ordered his troops to
advance on all four sides, “to kill all the men, to make prisoners
the women and the children and to plunder and lay waste all their
propertyâ€. When the order was faithfully executed, he “directed
towers to be built on the mountains of the skulls of those obstinate
unbelieversâ€. In order to let posterity know of this expedition, “in
the auspicious month of Ramazan, A.H. 800†(A.D. 1398), Timur
engraved an account of it on a neighbouring hill and then proceeded to
retrieve the disaster that had befallen the other part of the army which
had been sent against the Siyaposhesâ€.
(Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, p 401-408 ).
[above text is taken from: History and Culture of Indian People, The
Delhi Sultanate, p 117 Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar, Dr Munshi].
“Burban Aglan, who was sent against the Siyaposhes with 10000 men,
“was routed by , and fled from a small number of infidels†. A small
detachment of 400 men under Muhammad Azad, sent to his help, was
attacked by the infidels, but he fought gallantly and after having
recovered the horses and the armor lost by Aglan, returned home-wards.
Timur then advanced in person and captured some places but, as nothing
more is said, presumably, after this, the Siyaposhes were left aloneâ€.
(Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, p 401-408 ).
“Timur then exterminated the rebellious predatory tribes of Aghanis
and crossed the Sindhu river in September, 1398. He marched along the
Jhelum and defeated several local chiefs, crossed this river below its
junction with Chenab and reached Tulamba, which submitted without any
fight. Here news reached him that Pir Muhammad had captured Multan. The
two armies then joined, and after sending a part of his forces by way of
Dipalpore and Samana, Timur himself proceeded to Bhatnir, a strong
fortified place occupied by Dul Chand, a Hindu chief “famous thorought
the whole countryâ€. [ref: History and Culture of Indian People, The
Delhi Sultanate, p 117) Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar, Dr
Munshi].
“The causus belli was furnished by conduct of chiefs and nobles of the
city of Dipalpore who had tendered allegiance to Pir Mohammad but later
turned rebels and killed Musafir Kaboli, the governor appointed by
Timur. On hearing the approach of Timur, the rebels took refuge in
Bhatnir fort. The fort was fortified by a body of Rajputs who offered a
stout resistance but Dul Chand ultimately surrendered and presented
him to Timur. Timur then punished various refractory chiefs, especially
the 500 from Dipal Pore and their wives and children were made
slaves…â€. [Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, pp 420-427].
“Timur then captured the city of Sarsuti and the fearful scene was
repeated. “All these infidel Hindus were slain, their wives and
children were made prisoners, and their property and goods became the
spoil of the victorsâ€. Several thousand women and children who were
brought captive became Mohammadans. [Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED,
III, pp 427-428].
“Then the Timur proceeded against the Jats. Although they fled to the
jungles, Timur pursued them there. He killed 2000 Jats, captured their
wives and children and plundered their cattle and propertâ€
[Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, p 429].
“About this time another part of Timur’s army which was following a
more northerly route joined him near Samana, and Timur marched via
Panipat towards Delhi. After reaching neighborhood of Delhi, he sent a
force of cavalary in advance to Delhi and had ordered it to plunder and
destroy every village, and to kill every one whom they met. The cavalary
faithfully obeyed the orders, plundered every village, killed the men,
carried away a number of Hindu Prisonoers, both male and female…â€
([Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, p 432].
“Next day Timur crossed Yamuna, and captured Loni on other bank of
river. People here were mostly Hindus. Many of the Rajputs placed their
wives and children in their houses and burnt them and then they rushed
to the battle and were killed. After this fort was was captured, Timur
gave orders that Musulman prisoners should be separated and saved. But
the infidels should all be dispatched to hell with the proselytizing
sword……â€. ([Tuzak-I-Timuri, Translated in HIED, III, p 433].
[Source: History and Culture of Indian People, The Delhi Sultanate, p
117-121, 123, Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar, Dr Munshi].
THE ABOVE EXCERPTS ARE TAKEN FROM HISTORY AND CULTURE OF INDIAN PEOPLE,
THE DELHI SULTANATE, VOL IV, p 116, 117-121, 123. WHICH PLEASE REFER IF
INTERESTED.
TIMUR AND THE SIAPOSH KAMBOJ KAFIRS: Dr THOMAS HOLDICH, D.Sc,
“Emperor Timur also had to fight with Shiaposh and Katawer Kafirs
(1399 AD) living within the Doab of Panjshir and Alishang rivers towards
the northern area. A section of the Katawer Shiaposh Kafirs (Kambojas)
gave Mongole raider Timur a very obstinate fighting, but were
eventually defeated by his numerous and superior forces….. “ (The
Gates of India 1910, p 94-134 political map facing page 94, by Dr Thomas
Holdich, D.Sc).
“The story as told by Timur’s Historian, Sharifudin, says that in
A.D 1399, when Timur was at Andarab, complaints were made to him of
outrage and oppression by the exaction of tribute, or ‘Karaj’
against idolators of Katawar and the Shiaposh. It appears that Katawar
was then the general name for the northern regions of Kafirstan,
although, no reference to that name had been recorded lately….†(op
cit. p 355).
“Timur is said to have taken a third part of the army of Andarab
against the infidels, and to have reached Perjan (probably Parwan) from
whence he detached a paert of his force to the north of that place,
whilst he himself proceeded to Kawak, which is certainly the Khawak at
the head of the Panjir valley. …From Khawak he ‘made the ascent’
of the mountains of the ‘Ketnev’ (i.e. he crossed the intervening
snow-covered divide between the Panjshir and the head of Alishang) and
descended on the fortress of Najil. This was abandoned by the Siaposh
Kafirs, who held a high hill on left bank of the river. After the
obstinate fight, the hill was finally carried and the male infidels
“whose souls were blacker than their garments†were killed and their
women and children were made prisoners. Timur set up a pillar with an
inscription recording the event ………….†(ref: The Gates of
India 1910, p 355-356 and political map facing page 94, by Dr Thomas
Holdich, D.Sc).
.............................
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11-25-2001, 04:56 PM
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As some of our readers might h
As some of our readers might have noted,
we have used name Kamtoz and Kamoz interchangeably for Katirs and the
Kam tribes of Nuristan. This is based on the text of Sir George Scott
Robertson (The Kafirs of Hindukush).
[Actually George Scott has also some ‘confusion’ and himself admits
that his nomenclature may be some what different from some other
investigators who have preeceded him or who would follow him].
PRE 1896 PRE-ISLAMIC ERA OF KAFIRSTAN:
(1)REFER TO “THE KAFIRS OF HINDUKUSH†Ed 1896, BY SCOTT ROBERTSON:
ON PAGE 71
“…….Thus the upper part of Bashgul valley is called Katirgul
(Lutdeh in Chitrali, or Kamtoz in Pushtu), the middle portion Muman
(Madugal in Chitrali), and the lower part Kam (Kamdesh in Chitrali, or
Kamoz in Pushtu):
Note that in the text, Sir G. Scott writes that the land of the
‘Katir’ Kafirs of upper Bashgul valley is called Kamtoz, while that
of Kam Kafirs living in lower Bashagul valley is called Kamoz.
NOW REFER TO PAGES 75.
“A convenient classification is to divide all Kafirs into:
(1)Siaposh Kafirs
(2)Waigilis Kafirs
(3)Presungulis (Viron) Kafirs. Another important tribe is called
Ashkun Kafirs of whom it was very difficult to get information…..â€
(the aboriginal inhabitants of Kafirstan).
“The ‘SIAPOSH KAFIRS’ classification contains the following: (1)KATIR KAFIRS, (2)the KAM KAFIRS.
The KATIR KAFIRS of ‘SIAPOSH†grouping comprise the Katir, Kti or
Katawar, Kulam and the Ramguli Kafirs. [(ref to page 76 from (a) to
(d)]
“Of the other tribes included under the designation ‘SIAPOSH’,
the chief is the ‘KAM’ or ‘Kamtoz’. This people inhabits the
Bashgul and its lateral valleys from confines of Madugal country to the
Kunar valley. It has seven villages and various small settlements or
hamlets……†(op cit p 76-77).
SEE THAT IN THE ABOVE PARA, SIR GEROGE SCOT ROBERTSON NOW USES NAME
’KAMTOZ‘ FOR THE ‘KAM KAFIRS’ OF KAMDESH AND HAS USED
‘KAMOZ’ FOR THE ‘KATIR KAFIRS’ OF UPPER BASHGUL VALLEY.
THUS Sir George Scott Robertson himself has ‘unnecessarily’ confused
himself in drawing a fine line in nomenclaturing the ‘Siaposh
Kafirs’.
The other researchers/investigators like M Elphinstone, who visited
Kafirstan in pre-Islamic times have not differentiated Katirs and the
Kams (of Siaposh group) into Kamoze and Kamtoz names but have rather
called them as Caumoze, Camoze, Caumoje, Camojee etc. ( An Account of
the Kingdom of Cabol, 1972, Oxford University, Press London, N.Y. Vol
II, p 376-377 by M. Elphinstone).
In fact, according to all other investigators, Kamtoz and Kamoz (Camoze,
Caumoze), Kamoje (Camoje, Caumoje), Kamojee (Caumojee/Camojee) etc are
the various ways of pronouncing their name in Pushtu, Chitrali or in
Kafir languages. And they all remind us of the ancient name, the
‘Kamboja’ of Ashoka’s R.E’s Sanskrit/Pali texts..
In fact, the several investigators have now established that the
Katirs/Kators , the Ktis or Katawar and the Kam Kafirs…all belong to
the so-called SIAPOSH grouping and they are all related ETHNICALLY. The
Kams and the Katas also SPEAK SAME LANGUAGE or ITS DIALECTICAL
VARIATIONS (Sir G. Scott Robertson)
Cf: “….. the Jasi/Jaisi and all the people of Nuristan who have
emanated from ‘Ktivi region’, including the ‘Kata’ (Katirs)
from Ktivi proper, the ‘Ksto’ from Kstu, the ‘Mumo’ from the
Mum, the ‘Binio’ from Buni, and the ‘Kom’ from the Kam-tol speak
one language, albeit with dialectical divisions. These divisions were
furthered as the people emigrated out of their upper Pech* homeland.â€
(Richard F. Strands. Richard has recently spent over 25 years in
investigating the Nuristanis/their culture, language etc).
* PECH=KAMAH river valley ( Sir Scott Robertson, see The Kafirs of Hindukush, 1896, p 81)
Dr Loh and numerous others investigators have designated the ‘Siaposh
tribe’ of Hindukush as the modern descendents of ancient Kambojas.
[Writes Dr Nand Lal Dey†“According to Dr Loh, the Shiaposh tribes
living in the Hindukush mountains are the descendents of the Kamboja
people. (The Geographical Dictionery of Ancient and Medieval India p 87,
by Dr. Nundo Lal Dey)]
M Elphinstone in fact was the first investigator who had identified
these Camoze/Camoje etc Caufir tribes with the ancient Kambojas. (op.
cit. f.n., p 619)
“Katirs inhabit various valleys, as Siaposh communities, entirely
independent of one another; yet they still acknowledge a common origin
and a relationship to each others†op cit p 77, first para).
Sir George Scott also admits in his book that there is a possibility
that other investigators might have used different nomenclature for the
Kafirs and future investigators may use still different. “Nomenclature
you get for these tribes depends†, he says, “ from which
direction you enters to investigate the people of Kafirstanâ€. (op
cit).
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11-30-2001, 03:02 AM
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REFERE TO OUR POSTING:
Sunday
REFERE TO OUR POSTING:
Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 03:26 pm:
INCORRECT TEXT:[Excerpts From: THE KAFIRS OF HINDUKUSH,PAGES 75]
*********************************************** *
NOW REFER TO PAGES 75-76.
“A convenient classification is to divide all Kafirs into:
(1)Siaposh Kafirs
(2)Waigilis Kafirs
(3)Presungulis (Viron) Kafirs. Another important tribe is called Ashkun
Kafirs of whom it was very difficult to get information…..†(the
aboriginal inhabitants of Kafirstan).
“The ‘SIAPOSH KAFIRS’ classification contains the following: (1)KATIR KAFIRS, (2)the KAM KAFIRS.
The KATIR KAFIRS of ‘SIAPOSH†grouping comprise the Katir, Kti or
Katawar, Kulam and the Ramguli Kafirs. [(ref to page 76 from (a) to (d)]
“Of the other tribes included under the designation ‘SIAPOSH’, the
chief is the ‘KAM’ or ‘Kamtoz’. This people inhabits the
Bashgul and its lateral valleys from confines of Madugal country to the
Kunar valley. It has seven villages and various small settlements or
hamlets……†(op cit p 75-77).
*********************************************** **
CORRECT TEXT [Excerpts From: THE KAFIRS OF HINDUKUSH,PAGES 75-77]
NOW REFER TO PAGES 75-77.
“A convenient classification is to divide all Kafirs into:
(1)Siaposh Kafirs
(2)Waigilis Kafirs. Aso includes Ashun Kafirs of whom it was very difficult to get information.
(3)Presungulis (Viron) Kafirs. (the aboriginal inhabitants of Kafirstan).
"The ‘SIAPOSH KAFIRS’ classification contains the following:
(A)KATIR KAFIRS,
(B)the KAM KAFIRS.
(A)KATIR KAFIRS: of ‘SIAPOSH' grouping further comprise:
(1)Katir (also called Kamoz: see para 3, p 76, Ibid)
(2)Kti or Katawar,
(3)Kulam and
(4)the Ramguli Kafirs."
[(ref to page 76 from (a) to (d), Ibid]
(B): “Of the last tribe included under the designation ‘SIAPOSH’,
the chief is the ‘KAM’ or ‘Kamtoz’. This people inhabits the
Bashgul and its lateral valleys from confines of Madugal country to the
Kunar valley. It has seven villages and various small settlements or
hamlets……†(op cit p 76-77).
NOTE THAT ON ABOVE PAGE OF HIS TEXT [THE KAFIRS OF HINDUKUSH, P 76], SIR
GEROGE SCOT ROBERTSON NOW USES THE NAME ’KAMTOZ‘ FOR THE ‘KAM
KAFIRS’ OF KAMDESH (see last para, p 76, Ibid) AND THE NAME
‘KAMOZ’ FOR THE ‘KATIR KAFIRS’ (see para 3, p 76, Ibid) OF UPPER
BASHGUL VALLEY... WHERE AS ON PAGE 71, HE USES KAMOZ FOR KAM KAFIRS AND
KAMTOZ FOR KATOR KAFIRS.(see last para, page 71, Ibid)
The inadvertent error is sincerely regretted.
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02-08-2002, 03:54 AM
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A MADHYADESHA ARYAN LASHES OUT
A MADHYADESHA ARYAN LASHES OUT AT THE KAMBOJAS!!
Mr. KSINGH GIVES A CLARION CALL TO 'INDIAN AGRARIAN ARYANS' TO FORM A
FRONT AGAINST THE KAMBOJA/YAVANA MLECHHAS OF
AFGHANISTAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=3Bgx7.24373%24ev2.32941%40www.newsrang er.com
Dear Mr KSINGH, do you also want the INDIAN KAMBOJAS be treated in the
same fashion as the Afghans ....the modern descendents of ANCIENT
KAMBOJA/YAVANA MLECHCHAS OF AFGHANISTAN?
Be informed that 'some fraction' of the SO-CALLED ANCIENT AFGHAN KAMBOJA
MLECHCHAS......... themselves form now a "very important segment" of
your Indo-Agrarian Society i.e. the Indian Kambojas!
Do you or don't you intend to include the Punjab/Haryana/Rajasthan
Kambojas into your proposed "UNION OF INDIAN ARYAN AGRARIANS"?
Remember KSINGH!, without the "Kamboja Agrarians of India"..., our 'Dear
India' is sure to go relapse back to old days of chronic 'FOOD
SHORTAGE' and inevitably would go 'begging' to same USA in order to feed
its 'numerous hungary soules'.
Do you want it happen?
Just a thought?
Sincerely and with regards
Harjit Singh Chandi
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02-09-2002, 05:18 PM
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Let's sincerely sympathise
Let's sincerely sympathise with this
madhyadesha aryan ksingh. After all, the 'conquored people' have the
right to swear at their 'conqurors'...and so this singh fellah really
does.
Ancient Indian history is a strong witness to the fact that the
'ancestors' of these helpless madhyadeshis like mr ksingh have also been
using similar abusive language towards their 'less conservative' but
'more enterprising' counter-parts from north-west frontiers. Being
helpless against the 'guts' of those so-called 'frontier mlechchas',
these masochists simply submitted and started calling them names like
barbaric invaders, mlecchas, sudras or degraded races. This is not at
all surprising. What is surprising however is that over the millenia
these madhyadeshis have not yet forgotten their old scars and till date,
continue to nurture a deep-rooted haterd malice towards their
ancient tormentors...whom they still would abusively like to call
'mlecchas'. Probably this is the only 'mental consolation' these
madhyadeshi descendents of the ancient aryan loosers can derive from
their history of repeated losses of long ago at the hands of their
fronteir aryan brethern.
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03-21-2002, 06:50 AM
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`Afghan (KAMBOJA) regi
`Afghan (KAMBOJA) region was scene of Mahabharata battle' ?????????????????????????????????
Dr. Sidharth said several literary references supported these
conclusions. The Vishnu Purana clearly mentions that 1,015 years elapsed
between the birth of Parikshit, the son of Pandavas and the coronation
of Nanda who lived around 300 BC. References in the Mahabharata and
Vishnu Purana and other texts mentions places around latitude of 35
degrees and to people living there, for example, Gandahar (present day
Kandahar) and Kamboja (in Afghanistan), Kashmir and China. The peoples
referred to include the Gandharas, the Sakas (from Sakadweepa near
Afghanistan), Yavanas (Westerners), Tusharas (Tohara, Tukhara, the
Tukharians of Chinese; Turkistan) and Pahlavas of Iran.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2...1301180600.htm
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03-23-2002, 07:10 AM
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Gandhara art and Asoka inscrip
Gandhara art and Asoka inscriptions in Afghanistan
by Professor Abaya Aryasinghe
In the Edicts of Asoka (No. 5V and VIII) reference to the Yavanas and
Kambojas is made. The latter peoples occupied an immediate position
between the Yavanas and Gandharians. The Gandharians have the reputation
of originating a remarkable style of art and sculpture which influenced
the neighbouring lands including Bamiyan.
The militant Taleban or any other Muslim organisation cannot claim this
territory of the Yavanas, Cambodians (=Kambojas here ) and the
Gandharians who built an excellent Buddhist civilisation for centuries.
The Muslims, in a sense, are intruders in the land governed by
Chandragupta and Asoka. It is time that all Buddhists in the world
should issue an ultimatum asking these militants to leave the land of
the Buddhists.
http://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/2001/04/15/fea13.html |
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