Historical Notes by Munshi Muhammad Azim -4
Russian soldiers’ status in the border
(1312 AH/1894-1895 CE)
The status of the Russian State’s
soldiers in Turkistan, Marv, and other places located in neighborhood of
Herat’s dependencies:
Previous General was General Komarov.
Now, since 1312, General Fatkin, Governor of TransCaspian is in charge of the
affairs of above-mentioned places. In the same year, when The Russian Emperor
had passed away, and his son ascended the throne, General had come for an
excursion to Gonbadhli, near the border. He sent a letter to His Highness,
Sa’duddin khan, Governor of Herat, mentioning the decease of the previous
Emperor and the ascension current Emperor. In the letter, was also mentioned
that at the moment the Emperor had appointed his brother as the Crown Prince,
until the Emperor would have child to become crown prince.
[(At the same place added without
date)]Georgian people of Tiflis have moved toward Qaraqulkhan, Russ and Charkas
to whence the roads are difficult to pass.
Shooting Nasiruddin Shah (1313 AH/1896 CE)
The followers of the Babi sect shot
Nasiruddin Shah twice: First on Shawwal 28, 1268/August 15, 1859 in Shamiran, a
suburb of Tehran, when he was riding. This time, his wound was not fatal and he
could recover. Second time, it was on Friday, Dhu’l Qa’da 17, 1313/April 30, 1896,
in the shrine of Abdul-Azim, when he was shot and martyred. His reign lasted 49
years. His ascension was in 1264 AH/1848 CE and he died in 1313. He had
ascended the throne at the age of 18 and lived for 67 years.
Ascension of Mozaffaruddin Shah
(1313 AH/1896 CE)
Mozaffaruddin Shah, Son of Nasiruddin
shah ascended the throne on Dhu’l Hijja 26, 1313/June 8, 1896. When he was the
crown prince he lived in Tabriz [as the governor]. He was 44 when he came to
Tehran and ascended the throne. He had been born in the month of Jumadi II,
1269/February, 1853. [(The ascension note is briefly repeated in another
place)].
Festival of Unity
(Jashn-e-Mottafeqiyya)(1214 AH/1896 CE)
The Festival of Unity [that in Farsi was
called Jashn-e-Mottafeqiyya], was being celebrated in the reign of Amir
Abdurrahman khan on Asad 26/August 16 of every year. The first celebration was
held on Rabi’ I 7, 1214/August 16, 1896
The expense of the festival for the city
and suburbs was paid by His Highness [(The
Amir)]
Census in Herat (1314 AH/1896 CE)
Census was
taken in Herat during the reign of His Highness Zia’u’lmillata waddin [(his
majestic title)], the late Amir Abdurrahman khan, in the year 1314 AH/1896 CE):
Male
population, without female, and without the population of the main part of the
city: one hundred two thousand souls, eight block of jolga [(plain)] and
the block of Shaflan: 32 thousand souls, provinces and suburbs: 70 thousand
souls [(two last items are counted by Siaq which I am not sure that I have read
them correctly, but first item is clearly written in Hindi numbers.)]
Population of
different religions (1317
AH/1899-1900 CE)
The population
of different religions in the year 1317 AH/1899-1900 CE is as followed:
Muslims: 3oo
crore souls [(=3,000,000,000)]
Christians: 800
crore souls [(=8,000,000,000)]
Jews: 14 crore
souls [(=140,000,000)]
Other
religions: 1500 crore souls [(=15,000,000,000)]
Muzaffaruddin Shah's travel to Frang [(Europe)]
(1317 AH/1899-1900 CE)
First trip of Muzaffaruddin shah to Frang [(Europe)] took place in the year 1317 AH/1899-1900 CE
Death of the
Queen (1318 AH/1901 CE)
The Queen of
Englistan [(Britain)] died in the Year 1318 equal to one thousand nine hundred
[one] of the Christian era. She had ascended the throne in 1837 CE and her
reign lasted 53 years. [(Her reign lasted almost 64 years)]
Death of Amir
Abdurrahman (1319 AH/1901
CE)
The death of
the late Khaqan [(the king)] of Afghanistan, Amir Abdurrahman khan, took place
on 19 of Jumadi II in the year 1319/ October 3, 1901 in the Royal seat of
Kabul.
Ascension of
Amir Habibullah (1319 AH/1901
CE)
Amir Habibullah
khan, King of Afghanistan, Ascended the throne in the year 1319 Bars-eel. [(The
sentence is repeated at another place and added)] in Kabul.
The National
Unity Festival (Muharram 24)
The National Unity
Festival is being held every year on first of Thaur (21 April) during the reign
of Amir Habibullah khan. The first year’s festival took place on 24 of Muharram
[(it could have been 24th Muharram 1321/22nd April 1903)]
that the festival was run in the provinces of Afghanistan.
Dearth and
drought in Herat (1320 AH/1902-1903
CE)
In the year
Bars-eel 1320 AH there was an exceeding dearth in Herat and suburbs, due to the
insufficiency of precipitations. One Kherwar [(around 300 kg.)] of wheat was
sold for 450 or 500 Kran [(a monetary unit, a coin)], and so was sold barley. One
Kherwar of rice was sold for 550 Kran. A half Man [(4 kg)] of straw was sold
for one Kran, so most cattle of people in the city as well as the cattle of
husbandmen in the rural area around Herat were perished due to the lack of
straw and barley. Other grains like raw
peas, lentil and grass peas were also expensive. Yellow ghee was one Man
[(4kg)] for 20 Krans, lamp oil, one Man for 12 of 15 Krans, yogurt one man for
one and a half Krans , and meat one Man for 10 Krans.
Also in the
year of Tooshqan-eel, when the wheat and barley plants were blooming with ears,
there came a hail, approximately in two districts, in the suburbs around the
city of Herat, and caused a little dearth.
There was an
intense dearth also in the year of eelan-eel, the snake-year, in Herat and
suburbs, as some of the wheat and barley fields were bitten by the frost. The
price of one Kherwar [(300kg)]wheat reached 400 Kran, one Kherwar barley for
300 Kran and rice from 400 and 500 Kran, ghee one Man for 16 Kran, lamp-oil one
Man for 8 Kran, meat one Man for 6 Kran, dried whey one Man for 4 Kran, yogurt
one Man from one and a half to 2 Kran, onion one Man for one and a half Kran,
straw 3 Mans for one Kran and so was everything expensive until the beginning
of the harvest of looy eel’s year
Amir’s birthday
festival (1321 AH-103 CE)
The birthday
festival for His Majesty Amir Habibullah Khan took place in Herat, on
Tuesday Rabi’ II 25, 1321/ July 21 (28
Saratan) 1901 in the year of tooshqan eel. During that day there was festival and
at night the bazaar and Charbagh were illuminated [(here quoted a verse
praising the Amir)].
Titles of
Amir’s consorts (1321 AH/1903
CE)
His Majesty,
Seraj-ul-millat-waddin [Amir Habibullah] has bestowed titles to her four
consorts, as followed:
Her Majesty
Mother of Amanullah khan: Seraj-ul-khawatin.
Mohammad Nader
khan’s sister: Her Highness Noor-ul-haram.
Inayat-ullah
khan’s mother: Her high-positioned Badr-ul-haram.
His
High-positioned Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim khan’s daughter: Her High-ranked
Satr-ul-haram.
These titles
were bestowed and addressed on the night of 14th of Ramadan, year
1321/ December 4, 1904, and the decree was issued for the information of the
inhabitants of Afghanistan.
Injustice of
the Sherriff of Mecca (1321
AH/1903-1904 CE)
In the year
1321 when I was honored to be in Mecca, people said that the sheriff of Mecca
was practicing unjustly.
The war between
Russia and Japan in the year 1322 AH /1905
CE [(without further information)]
Titles for
courtiers (1322 AH/1905 CE)
According to a
decree arrived from the Royal Capital, the Sardars and Khans of the Court are
bestowed titles as followed:
Sardar
Nasrullah khan, brother of Amir Saheb: Na’ibussaltana [(= Regent)]
Sardar
Inayatullah khan, son of Amir Saheb: Mu’inussaltana [(= Assistant of the
Kingdom)]
Prince
Amanullah khan, son of Amir Saheb: Ainuddawla [(= The Eye of the State)]
Sardar
Abdulquddoos khan: I’temaduddawla [(Trustee for the State)]
Khoshdil khan:
Loy Nab, Deputy Governor, who receives subject’s petitions.
Sardar
Abdulwahab khan: Aminulmakateeb [(Trustee for the Correspondence)]
Fath Mohammad
khan Kotwal: Aminul’Assass [(Trustee for the Police)]
Nazir Mohammad
Safar khan: Aminul‘Ittela’at [(Trustee for the Intelligence)]
Sardar Abdullah
khan Timuri: Aminuzzakat [(Trustee for Islamic Taxes)]
Ishik Aqasi
Mohammad Shah khan: Na’ib [(Deputy)] for Na’ibussaltana and Mu’inussaltana.
Sardar Mahammad
Yonos khan: Aminulwojoohat [(Trustee for Finance)]
Mirza Mohammad
Hussein khan Kotwal: Chief Accountant of the Country.
[(at front of
the names of Aminul’Ittela’at and Aminul’Assass:)] And ordered that anyone
having a petition or any subject, should submit it to them.
The Shri’a
Religious affairs is bestowed to twelve famous Ulama’ [(Religious Scholars)]
under the command of Sayyed Mir Ali khan Khatib, whose Na’ib or Deputy is Mulla
Abdurrazzaq.
The decrees
were issued on Dhi’l Hijja 14, year of
Looy-eel 1322/ February 19, 1905
End of the
Governorship of Sa’duddin khan
(1322 AH/1904CE)
Justice Molla
Sa’duddin khan, in the God given State of His Majesty Zia’ulmillata waddin Amir
Abdurrahman khan had been appointed as the Deputy Governor of Herat. He
continued the career during the reign of Serajulmillata waddin Amir Habibullah
khan. Sa’duddin khan was son of Justice Mulla Abdurrahman and grandson of
Justice Mulla Mohammad Sa’id khan. He was Deputy Governor for 18 years (sic). At
the 19th year of the reign of Amir Habibullah khan he was deposed
from the governorship and in the year looy-eel 1322/1904 CE, 3 months remaining
from that year, His Excellency Mohammad Sarwar khan was appointed as the Deputy
Governor of Herat and on 26 of Dhu’lqa’da arrived in Herat.
Arrival of the
new Deputy Governor in Herat
(1322 AH/1904 CE)
His Excellency
Mohammad Sarwar khan, Deputy Governor Saheb arrived in Herat on Wednesday 26 of
Dhi’lqa’da, looy-eel 1322/February 1st 1904 in the winter time
second day of Chella khord [(Little Forty or Second Forty)]. The meeting
session for the arrival day was held at Salamkhana-Kuti in Charbagh.
Akhond Khurasani (1322 AH/1904-1905)
His Excellency
Hujjatul’islam Mulla Mohammad Kazem Akhond Khurasani whom [I] met in Najaf –
ashraf was originally from Herat, and had five sons in the year 1322
AH/1904-1905 CE
British
delegation in Kabul (1322-1323
AH/1904-1905 CE)
A copy of the publicity from His Excellency
Highness Amir Habibullah khan:
From your
previous counterpart, the British State, His Excellency Mr. Louis William Dean
C.S.E. the foreign minister of Hindustan, along with six European persons and
others from Hindustani people, had come for the solidity of the agreement, to
Kabul. They arrived in the Royal capital, Kabul on Shawwal-ul-mukarram 4,
1322/December 12, 1904 and stayed here for 3 months and 18 days. They visited
many times the luminous presence of His Highness, and negotiated on all issues
corresponding to the mutual benefits of both states. They agreed that the
previous principles and procedure of the Late Khaqan, Zia-ul-millat waddin
should be continued. Faqat[(That is all)] They, all with pleasure, got
permission to leave for their country, on Thursday, Muharram-ul-haram 23, eelaneel
year 1323/March 30, 1905.
Troops and
artillery in Faizabad (1323 AH/1905-1906
CE)
In the city of
Faizabad, a dependency of Balkh, there are appointed and settled a complete
regiment and artillery and special troops, ordered by the Afghanistan Monarchy.
Jashn of
Nawrooz in Herat (1323 AH/1905 CE)
According to
the order of His Excellency Deputy Governor Mohammad Sarwar khan, Jashn
(ceremony) of Nawrooz took place on Muharram 14, 1323/ March 21, 1905, in the
Royal Garden (Bagh e Shahi). Civil as well as Military officers and businessmen
were present in the ceremony.
Hail in Herat (1323 AH/1905 CE)
In the current
year of eelaan-eel 1323, in the late afternoon of Ra18bi’ I 4th of
Jawza/ may 23,1905 there were such rain and hail that water was flowing in the
lanes of the city. It was on 66th day of Nawrooz, which is called
Shisha in Herat [(6th, 16th, 26th….and 66th
days after Nawrooz are traditionally called Sishas that are supposed to get
cold)]
2744 houses in
Herat (1323 AH/1905-1906 CE)
The houses in
Herat were counted 2744 houses in the main city of Herat, in the current year
of eelaan-eel 1323 AH/1905-1906 CE [(This sentence is being repeated in another
place)]
2400 cavalries
in Herat (1323 AH/1905-1906 CE)
There are 2400
cavalry troops in Herat, in the current year of eelaaneel, the year of snake,
1323 AH/1905-1906 CE.
Amir’s trip to
India (1324 AH/1906 CE)
His Majesty
Serajulmillat waddin Amir Habibullah khan, traveled to India to visit the
Viceroy of India in the middle of the year of yont-eel 1324, 12 of
Shawwal/November 29, 1906, in the winter. Then returning from his trip, His
Majesty came to Herat and raised the flag of self-determination in the Arg
(citadel) of Herat, in the month of Jumadi II, 1325/July 1907.
Birthday of
Amir Habibullah (1324 AH/1906
CE)
His Majesty
Amir Habibullah khan was born on Monday, Rabi’ II 25, 1289/July 2, 1872, and
this year, eelaan-eel (1324 AH/1906 CE) is his thirty-forth year of age and
fifth year of His Highness’ ascension that had taken place on Jumadi II 19 (10th
of Solar month of Mizan)1319/ October 3, 1901. On His Excellency’s Birthday,
first of Thawr, every year, there are ceremonies all over the country.
Publishing of Besharat (1324 AH/1906-1907 CE)
A newspaper,
called Besharat-Tuhfaturrazawiyya, has been printed and published in
Mashhad-e-Toos, in the year 1324 AH/1906 CE. The Editor-in-Chief of the
newspaper is Mohammad Ali and Editor is Azizullah Fasihulmamalek.
Matches Factory (1324 AH/1906-1907 CE)
In the year
1324 AH/1906-1907 CE, it was decided to buy and import a Factory of match
making for producing matches in Mashhad regularly.
Jewish calendar
(1324 AH/AM 5667 Jewish)
Jewish history
is older that other histories; for example, this year yont-eel 1324 corresponds
to 5667 Jewish year.
Snow after
Nawrooz (1324 AH/1927 CE)
In the year
yont-eel, year of horse 1324/1907 CE 17 days after Nawrooz (April 6) in the
late night, snow fell [in Herat] till morning, and the weather turned so cold
that we needed fire. All fruit trees were bitten by frost, but still there was
enough amount of grape.
Republican
Assembly (1324 AH/1907 CE)
Trusty
travelers returned from Atabat (Holy Shrines) says that, they had heard in
Tehran, that the King of Iran had appointed a Republican Assembly consisting
khans and religious authorities to consult according to the benefits of their
State and Nation. They have also dismissed the foreign banks and have
established their own bank. Iranian businessmen have deposited forty five
million [(Tooman?)] in cash, in that bank, to cooperate their government. [(By
republican assembly Munshi meant consultative assembly)].
Tehran-Mashhad
railroad (1324 AH-1906-1907 CE)
In the year
yont-eel 1324 AH/1906-1907 CE building a railroad from Tehran to Mashhad was
started. Previously there was built a metalled between Tehran and Simnan but
there was no railroad.
Herat-Mashhad
road (1324 AH-1906-1907 CE)
The road
between Herat and Mashhad is under construction. Now, Dhu’l Qa’da, 1324, the
construction is going on the way from Herat to Kuhsan [(a district in Herat)]
Death of
Mozaffaruddin Shah (1324 AH/1907
CE)
Mozaffaruddin
Shah, king of Iran, died on Tuesday night, Dhu’l Qa’da 23, 1324/January 8, 1907.
Nobles and dignitaries went to present their condolences to the Governor of
Khurasan and High Custodianship, first day at Holly Shrine, then in the Mosque
of Gowharshad. [(in another place)]: Mozaffaruddin Shah lived for 55 years, and
his son Mohammad Ali Shah ascended the throne in Du’l Hijja 1324.
Condolence
gathering in Herat (1325 AH/1907
CE)
His Eminence
Amir was in India [when Mozaffaruddin Shah died] and ordered that condolence
gatherings should be held in Afghanistan, for the late king of Iran. In Herat,
there was a three-day condolence gathering, Muharram 25, 26 and 27, 1325/March 10,
11 and 12, 1907. All the markets were closed and six thousand Rupees was spent
by the government for the gatherings.
[(It is worth
mentioning that a few years before, when Amir Abdurrahman khan died, Mozaffaruddin
Shah of Iran had ordered the Governor of Khurasan to hold a condolence
gathering for that Muslim King, and publish a general invitation, he also ordered
to serve meal and to appoint religious authorities and sayyeds to recite Holly
Qur’an for three days. There is an account for this incident in Serajuttawarikh
by Faiz Mohammad Kateb, II/3. p.94)]
Amir Habibullah
khan in Herat (1325 AH/1907
CE)
Fortunate
arrival of His Majesty Seraj-ul-millat waddin, King of Afghanistan in the Darunnustat
[(victorious house)] of Herat, took place at 10 AM on Wednesday, Jumadi I 28,
1325, qoy-eel/July 9 1907, in the solar month of Saratan in Tamooz season [(hot
period of summer)], coming via Kandahar and returning via Turkistan.
Repairing
Jami’s Shrine (1325 AH/1907
CE)
His Majesty
Seraj-ul-millat waddin Amir Habibullah khan, during his stay in Herat, ordered the
Shrine of Mawlawi Jami Saheb (may his grave be sanctified) to be repaired, and
endowed the Qanat [( Drinking water subterranean canal)] of Khusravan, which
was government’s property, to the shrine.
Repairing the
rampart around Herat (1325 AH/1907
CE)
His Majesty
Seraj-ul-millat waddin Amir Habibullah khan, during his stay in Herat, ordered
the rampart around Herat to be repaired. According to the order, four hundred
workers from districts’ subjects would be hired and each worker would receive
eight Kabuli Rupees every month, by the government.
Repair-fund for
Masjid Jami’ (1325 AH/1907
CE)
His Majesty
Seraj-ul-millat waddin Amir Habibullah khan, during his stay in Herat, granted
twenty thousand Pokhta-Rupees that was equal to forty thousand Karan-Rupees to
the repair of the Noble Masjid Jami’ of Herat. The sum was paid from the 98962
Pokhta-Kabuli Rupees presented as a gift by the military personnel settled in
Herat.
Exemption of
taxes (1325 AH/1907 CE)
His Majesty
Seraj-ul-millat waddin forgave an amount of two crore ninety-five lak Kabuli
Rupees (29,500,000 Kabuli Rupees) debt of real estate sanctions that had
remained unpaid for 17 years. The debt had remained since the closure of the
100,000 block [(a tax office)]. [His Majesty] also has forgiven the debt of
fugitives who would not have pay tax for 3 years after they return, and they
would have to pay by the fourth year.
39 days in
Herat (1325 AH/1907 CE)
His Majesty
Seraj-ul-millat waddin Amir Habibullah khan left Herat on Saturday, Rajab-ul-murajjab
7, 1325 qoy-eel/August 16, 1907 at 4:30 PM. He had stayed in Herat for 39 days.
Afghan agent in
Mashhad (1325 AH/1907 CE)
Alijah (High-positioned)
Abdullah khan, the agent of the Government of Afghanistan in Mashhad, was
honored to come and attend the presence of His Majesty Seraj-ul-millat waddin.
He is the Afghan agent in Mashhad for fourteen years. During this auspicious
year that His Majesty, visiting His provinces, arrived Herat on Jumadi I 28,
1325/July 9, 1907, according to the Royal order, Abdullah khan came to Herat.
He was honored to have the attendance of the His Majesty at Qorchi, two or three
marches to Maimana. He was honored with robe of honour and medal of
Izzat-Afghaniyya [(Afghan glory)] and was permitted to return. He came to Herat
and visited his family and friends and returned comfortably to Mashhad. He
received an additional 12000 Kran salary, and he presented [(to the King)] two
distinguished Arabic horses. [(|His name is mentioned in Serajuttawarikh, once
as Abdullah khan Mushkvani and several times as Abdullah khan Mushvani.)]
Merchants of
Mashhad (1325 AH/1907-1908 CE)
The merchants
of the Holy Land (Mashhad) from past times till now, the year 1325 AH/1907-1908
CE: Haji Mohammad Hassan Mo’avenuttujjar [(vice president of chamber of
commerce)], who is originally from Herat, Haji Arbab, and others. There are
several merchants from Mashhad, and Turks and trusties who are busy in big
businesses. [(Perhaps Munshi intended to write a list of merchants but he did
not, or could not complete it.)]
Sardaftar in
Herat (1325 AH/1907 CE)
Mohammad Sarwar
khan Sardaftar arrived in Herat on Thursday, Safar-ul-mazaffar 20 1325/April 4,
1907 [(after Safar-ul-mozaffar there is written 14, perhaps by mistake.
Sardaftar is a Farsi word that means head of the office. Here it seems that the
word had gradually become his last name.)]
Kako Jankhan in
Herat (1325 AH/1907 CE)
Alijah
[(High-positioned)], Shuja’at nashan[(Bravery-medalled)] Kako Jankhan arrived
in Herat on Sunday, Jumadi II, 1325/July 21, 1907 qoy-eel, via Hazara, from the
Royal capital, Kabul, in the month of Tamooz/Asad, 12 days after the arrival of
His Majesty.
Hajj of Friends (1325 AH/1907 CE)
Aqa Mirza Razi
Tabib left Herat along with friends for Hajj, on Saturday, auspicious month of
Ramadan 4, qoy-eel year 1325/September 12, 1907 via Holy Land [(Mashhad)] and
Ashgabat. The Hajj period then was in the winter. They accomplished the
pilgrimages on the way, and they arrived in Herat after nine months. Even
though there was cholera disease in noble Mecca as well as in noble Medina,
they all returned in good health. The names of returned Hajis are as follows:
Haji Mirza Razi, Haji Amir Jan, Haji Gholam Ali Alaqa-band son of Haji Mohammad
Ja’far, Haji Mohammad Kazem Attar son-ik-law of Haji Mirza Haidarqoli Tabib,
Haji Aowlad Rajab Khaliqdad, Haji Mohammd Ja’far Attar Frahi. Mirza [(a first name is effaced and cannot be
read)] Alikhan who had gone from Mashhad did not come to Herat.
Block of Rs
100,000 (1326 AH/1908 CE)
The block of
Lak Rupeeagi [(Rs 100,000)] for drawing tax, that is being closed, was established
in the reign of the late Khaqan [(King)] Amir Abdurrahman khan, in the year of
Seechqan-eel [(sic)] and is closed at the time of Amir Habibullah khan, and
[(tax)] has been assigned from the office according to the previous order. [(In
another place)] In the reign of the late Khaqan [(King)] Amir Habibullah khan,
a Block establishment was ordered for the cash and goods’ tax drawing. The
process was carried on by the Herati employees, since the year of seechqan-eel.
The employees had gone to Kabul in the year of tangooz-eel. At the end of the
year they received the governmental book along with honor-dress and two-month
salary. They came to Herat and carried on their duties according the
governmental book. [(In Farsi, block is written as bolak, which is also
repeatedly mentioned in Serajuttarikh by Faiz Mohammad Katib. It seems that
block had been a branch in some offices.)]
Hajj of Qazi
Ata Mohammad [(1326 AH/1908
CE)]
Qazi [(the
Judge)] Mir Ata Mohammad khan left Herat for Hajj, on Thursday Ramadan 14,
1326/October 10, 1908, via Shaikh Junaid. His maternal uncle, Mulla Mohammad
also accompanied him.
General in
Herat (1329 AH/1911 CE)
Alijah [(High-positioned)] Abdurrahim khan
Mohammadzai, Military General arrived in Herat from Kabul, in the month of
Shawwal 1329tangooz-eel/September or October 1911
End of Notes
with dates that were arranged chronologically. There are a few nonhistorical
nots which will be published here afterward.
