BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

No. XV.

Person, Temper and Habits of Bost Mahomed Khan. (From the Delhi Gazette.)

Dost Mahommed Khan, the present Ruler of Cabul, in age must exceed forty, though in appearance he is younger by several years. In height he may be at the utmost five feet eleven inches, but the inclination of the head, and stoop, which all the Grandees of Cabul and Persia affect, and which, in those countries, is a most indispensable accomplishment to rank and royalty, make him appear not above five feet nine. In person he is well proportioned, neither prone to obesity nor leanness, and, in his younger days, must have possessed an elegant figure. His complexion was originally fair, but his constant application to business, and his indefatigable activity in controlling his country, have now tinged his once bright countenance with that sallow hue, which care and deep thinking but. too inevitably imprint on every cheek, however radient in its early bloom.

His features, (like those of almost all Mahommedans) are of a fine order; but Nature, in forming his person, seems to have slightly varied the mould from the form in which she has cast his race, for his face does not shew any likeness to those of his countrymen. Whether this deviation from the general sameness of the Mahommedan contour, be a pleasing relief, certainly nobody can look at Dost Mahommed Khan, without being struck with his noble mien and engaging air. In his youth he was considered uncommonly handsome. His eyes are different from those of any person I ever saw, that is, when under excitement, they are large and black, but their ordinary expression is soft, and mild, with perfect tranquility; but when agitated either by anger, or argument, and even when conversing, they dilate to an unusual magnitude, then redden like those of an opiumeater, and the oyeballs appear to have revolved, as but a very small portion of them is visible; but the look is most piercing, and as unpleasant as extraordinary. This is the only time, when warmly descanting on some topic, that his Ameership is guilty of looking straight forward and direct at the individual whom he is addressing; on other occasions he is accustamed to observe his company, by side-long and furtive glances, as though he were not entitled to the right of an examination of one's person, but which he nevertheless effects just as well in his own peculiar way, being one more consonant, perhaps, to his disposition, which is allowed by every one to contain all the attributes of a consummate thief.

He is accustomed to rise very early in the morning, and, even before sunrise in the summer months, take his seat in the Dewan Khana, or hall of audience, when the Qooran is opened and laid before him; and with the assistance of his Moolla, he proceeds to read, or rather spell (for his education has been entirely neglected, and it is only since his accession to the throne, that he commenced the Persian alphabet,) over some three or four pages of the holy volume, in aloud voice, by way of setting a good example, and offering some atonement, perhaps, for the mischief he had been plotting during the preceding four and twenty

hours! His religion on this point, is very accommodating; the repetition of a few verses of the Qooran always entitles a sinner to a partial pardon of his transgressions, and under "this consideration," his Ameership, it may be presumed, derives no little comfort from his devotions.

During the whole of this time, he is evidently not exactly at his ease, his imperfect style of reading, the working of the brow, and forehead, being precisely similar to that of an urchin, when repeating a lesson with which he is not so well acquainted as he should be!

The Moolla in the mean time, is stedfastly observing the countenance of bis scholar, and when two or three pages have been got over, by way of relieving him from the indecency of himself putting aside the book, observes, that sufficient for the purpose has been read,-a suggestion which the other was never yet known to dispute, but who, immediately rising from his constrained position, and fetching a long drawn breath, like that of a person having just accomplished a task of some difficulty, he sends forth a volley of abuse against some party or individual, whe had been occupying his thoughts during the time of prayer, his mind being of good capacity, enabling him, while engaged in the performance of one thing, to be thinking about another! The Khuwaneem and others, whose duty is to attend the Durbar, now arrive, and seating themselves with their backs to the wall of the room, the business of the day commences, by admitting those who have complaints to prefer.

The administration of the Barukzae Chief, is to be considered more nearly allied to a republican form of Government, than any other; and the Durbar of Cabul presents a scene no where witnessed, perhaps, in any country. Instead of that solemnity and ceremony, which we hear of in Persia, and other Asiatie climes, here all is noise and confusion; the chopdars are alternately vociferating, and abusing the people, endeavouring to gain an entrance at the same time, poking and striking with their long sticks, those who, with more audacity, are attempting to effect a passage by force; and what with the elamour of the mob, on one side, the upraised arms and brandishing of the batons of office, on the other, the entrance to the Dewan Khan bears no small resemblance to that of a booth at an Irish fair. In the midst of this uproar, by way of encreasing it as it were, despatches arrive from Bokhara, Balkh, Herat, Peshawur, or some other place, equally great in name and small in value. These are opened at once, and read in public, whatever may be their contents, and as each brave pillar of the state, through deep interest in the cause, feels himself bound to sport an opinion, and warming in the debate, naturally finds himself more eloquent in his own native tongue, at once the languages of the Oozbek and Toorcaman, of Persia, Candabar, Cabul, Peshawur, Cashmere, Scinde, and even Hindoostan, crash upon the ear, so that you feel under some apprehension, that, this favorite seat of Pomona, like another Babel, is for its sins, visited by a similar punishment.

The mode of administering justice and granting redress is thus. The head Quazee, with one or two other of the fraternity, are seated either in front or a little to the right of him, and it is only in a case of some importance, such as murder, or adultery (which are sure, however, to occur every day) that he thinks it necessary to avail himself of the assistance of the expounders of the Sharu. During the trial and examination of evidence, he assists the Doctors of the law most materially by his own remarks, and quoting the various passages, which, in his opinion, bear on the matter. Other cases of minor importance he disposes of, without consulting the opinion of any one, knowing the susceptibility of the whole to

corruption. There exists, however, a more potent reason for his thus in person discharging the duties of Judge, Magistrate, and Collector of Revenue and Customs (he shines most in the latter capacity, it is generally thought). He realizes about two lakhs of rupees per annum by the imposition of fines on delinquents, and by another very ingenious method, which he never entrusts to other hands, on account of its proceeds.

In all trials held before and by him, of whatever nature, his Ameership declares, that all parties having been duly sworn and proved wrong, must necessarily have sworn falsely on the blessed Qooran, (a privilege which he allows to none but himself;) it is therefore proper, that their perjury should be punished by a suitable fine. According to the abilities of the sinner, his goods and chattels are then estimated with a degree of accuracy, which, considering he has made no further progress in arithmetic than a very simple rule, the first, but one, in the exercise of which, from his preferring its general application, and by his cogent endeavours to bring every thing under its influence, he has attained considerable skill, (the rale of "Subtraction") does his Ameership considerable credit! and by way of warning to others, though at the same time he may be enabled to follow his avocations and appear in public with some degree of decency on confiscating his property, a change of clean linen is always reserved to the poor wretch. This would not be considered much of a boon in any other part of the world, but here, owing to the scarcity of that article of cleanliness, the favor is appreciated as it should be.

During the hours of Durbar, which last from morning until 11 o'clock, A. M., he is frequently assailed by soldiers, and others, demanding arrears of pay. Every attempt is made to allay their importunities, by promises which, it need not be said, are never intended to be fulfilled. Should these prove ineffectual, his Ameership then has recourse to a stratagem; he suddenly proclaims that it is khilwut or private affairs, which he is about to take into consideration, and immediately the whole Durbar is cleared, with the exception of one or two confidants! On other occasions, when hard pressed by people clamouring for their pay, he instructs his head man, and factotum, one Meerza Sumu Khan, to remain at home on a plea of illness, when he declares to those who have demands against him, that on the said Mirza's convalescence, their claims shall be satisfied. One can readily imagine that the Mirza's health is exceedingly delicate and subject to occasional relapses! Dost Mahommed takes exercise on horseback regularly, and at 3 o'clock P. M., supposing it any time of the year but the depth of winter, his horse is brought to the door of the Muhal Sarai. This being known to be the hour at which he again appears in public, several people are already in waiting to assail him with their requests. I have frequently seen him with his hand over the saddle, and one foot in the stirrup, listening as patiently, and with as much attention, to some ragged hind, as though he were in full Dewan. He at last is fairly mounted, and proceeds to a large orchard, about a koss and a half distant, under the umbrageous trees of which are fastened his colts and private stud. During his progress he reins up his steed at least a dozen times, to listen to solicitations of every description.

It will be asked what retinue does he take with him? None whatever. At the distance of about 200 yards in the rear, may be seen his kulyan-burdar, with professional apparatus, mounted on a stout Turkistanee Yaboo.

A few days after my arrival in Cabul, I received an order to attend him in his evening rides; I thus had every opportunity of making myself acquainted with his

habits and temper. I was, it may be said, the only horseman with him, and myself and the Hooqqu-bardar formed his only escort-he, however, had holsters to his saddle. in which were a brace of double barrelled English pistols, loaded, as I understood. In this manner we rode every day to the orchard above mentioned, where a kaleen (carpet) being spread to sit on, the superintendent of the stable paraded every horse and colt in succession. Some of the principal Khuwaneen (noblemen) would shortly after arrive,-to the number of about a dozen, when the discourse, as might be supposed, ran on the different breeds and merits of the horses. The kulyan in the mean time passed round; it was first offered to the Ameer, when after 2 or 3 whiffs, I usually was the next admitted to the honour, and men of the highest rank made no scruple at smoking after me, They deride the prejudices of the Hindoostanees, who refuse to eat or smoke with Europeans, and, morning and evening in the durbar, I smoked Dost Mabommed's booqu, as often as he did himself.

This scene was invariably interrupted by cries of dad-be-dad, (justice) from poor people, who had not been able to obtain an audience in the morning. These were always called forward, and heard: thus in the midst of his recreations, he was intruded on, and compelled to forego his favourite amusement, (the inspection of his horses,) to redress that, in which he permits no other person to take the smallest part, the investigation of abuses, in the adjudication of which, he exhibits a degree of patience and equanimity, which I never yet witnessed in any European functionary. His forbearance and calmness are extraordinary.

I have seen him receive the severest rebukes, even to being told to his face that he lied, and that by people of the lowest rank, when complaining of his deceptive promises and hollow engagements; his conduct on such an occasion is directly opposite to what would be usually exhibited by an European, who, without further ceremony, would proceed to floor the gentleman who bestowed on him the appellation so odious to the feelings of integrity and honer.

Dost Mahommed adopts a different, and probably much wiser course; he immediatily apologizes to the incensed party, expressing his sorrow that any thing on his part should have given offence, promising that for the future, matters shall be arranged to his satisfaction.

His manners evince great urbanity and politeness, and an exercise of those casy and seducing ways which so effectually engage the affections. He is full of amenity, quite unassuming, and possesses that social address and civility, which a long intercourse with the world usually produces. Every one is pleased with the graceful ease and vivacity of his conversation.

It appears somewhat extraordinary, that Dost Mahommed, so early in life having secured the throne of Cabul, should not have extended his power by foreign conquest, or in default of which, formed leagues with the neighbouring States, tending to have strengthened him; but Cabul is so peculiarly situated with regard to the adjacent countries, that it never can derive much assistance from them.

Herat can never despatch one soldier from its own territory, through fear of being besieged by the Persian Army, the gallant little band forming the garrison' of that place, being always fully occupied in resisting the attacks of those now beleaguering it. As regards its position with the other two chief Soonee powers, Bookhara and Bulkb, the following may best illustrate the probability of their ever affording any succour to the throne of Cabul, be its occupant who he may, On the commencement and during the continuation of hostilities with Runjeet Sing,

in the contest for Peshawar Dost Mahommed applied to the King of Bookhara and Meer Morad Beg for troops, to assist him in driving out the Kafir, the war being the Ghiza, or holy war, and not one of private interest, and in which it was the duty of every Mahommedan to take a part.

The King of Bokhara returned for answer, that owing to the great distance between their several capitals, and the nature of the road, it was impossible for him to render the succour demanded.

Meer Moorad Beg, the ruler of Bulkh, replied in nearly the same strain, that the whole of his Sowars, (for he possesses neither Artillery nor Infantry) rendered service upon the following condition, viz., to accompany him in any direction, not exceeding a 15 days' march, after which time they disbanded themselves, and that he had not the means, however, he desired, to render the assistance demanded to support his troops at such a distance from Bulkh as Peshawur ; nor could he maintain his authority at home, without tbe presence of his Cavalry, amounting, as I understood, to nearly thirty thousand.

Runjeet having taken Peshawur, and seduced the Chief of Bajour to 'side with him, Dost Mahommed began to entertain apprehensions of his enemy's making further encroachments, to resist which, has hitherto, since the defeat of Shah Soojah at Candahar, engrossed all his attention, and made Peshawur a scene of perpetual warfare, in which the Mahommedan has gained no advantage; but were such not the case, were Peshawur still not datached from the Mahommedan dynasty, and that Dost Mahomed had the leisure to make the experiment any attempt on his part to subdue either the garrison or country of Herat, while the Prince Kamran remains its Ruler, would be futile, unless by the treachery or defection of the troops within it, his artillery being of such wretched order, as to be able to make no impression, much less to be capable of effecting a breach.

Did he have any design on Balkh, Meer Moorad Beg's Sowars are supposed to be in no wise, in point of valour, and equipment inferior to his own, with horses far superior. and should they by chance get worsted would disperse like flying Arabs, spread themselves over the trackless wastes of the country, and ever and anon harass his camp, by sudden attacks, and he must resign his conquest as soon as obtained !

He, nevertheless, possesses a character for martial enterprize, and in India it is generally supposed, that his military qualities alone have secured him the possession-of the Throne of Cabul. I am inclined to attribute his success, in a great measure, to another cause, which, has been the chief means of his elevation to the sovereignty he now enjoys, and which, by its affording powerful aid to his pretensions, bas misled people into the belief that Dost Mahomed, like many other heroes, owed his present fortunes to his own sabre !

It is of course familiar to all, that in Cabul the Kuzzul Bash (or Sheea) forms Do inconsiderable portion of its inhabitants ; there are at least from eight to nine thousand of these in the Army; and the principal secretaries, and confidants of the Ameer, are also of this tribe, usually termed the Meerza Khel. It in also well known, that until the accession of the present Ruler, every year in Cabul, during the time of the Moohurrum, severe conflicts ensued, between the two sects, Soonee and Sheea; the latter being inferior in numbers, used with difficulty to secure either life or property from the fanatic fury of the opposite party; and the various Rulers, although professing to discountenance these aggressions, yet from being all of the Soonee persuasion, were no doubt, not only unconcerned, but there is every reason to suppose would have been glad, under the influence of their Moollas, to have seen the infidel, as the Sheea is termed, completely annihilated.