Cabul, a capital do Afeganistão, num registo de Sir Keith Alexander Jackson, que serviu no 4º Regimento Leve dos Dragões no exército britânico, parte da força anglo-indiana que saiu da Índia Britânica e marchou em direcção ao Afeganistão em Dezembro de 1838, aquando da Primeira Guerra Anglo-Afegã [1839 a 1842].
Descrição da cidadela e do palácio do rei:
"Caubul is about 6000 feet above the level of the sea; it is the capital of Affghaunistãn, and the residence of its king. The city is surrounded on the three sides by fortified hills, at the foot of which flows the river Caubul. The Bala Hissar or Citadel commands the town, and contains the palace of the King which is a venerable building in a dilapidated state. In the northern parts of the building, the apartments are lofty, and not devoid of splendour, but for lack of care and attention many of them are fast falling to decay. Within the inner court in the garden, laid out in terraces, walks and parterres containing also some splendid pavilions, and a large fountain. The streets of the city are irregular and confined, and the river, which in this part is shallow and narrow, divides the principal portion, on the right, from lesser on the left: the latter is mainly composed of detached dwellings, gardens, orchards, &c. The tomb of the Emperor Baba is situated in one of the most delightful spots in the neighbourhood, about a mile from the town; [...]"
Os mercados da cidade:
"Caubul is celedrated for the excellence and extent in bazaars, the principal of which is the Charchutta, 600 feet in length and 30 in width, consisting of four arcades, which contain nearly two thousand shops, [...]"
Uma breve descrição das casas:
"The houses of Caubul are principally built of wood and sun-dried bricks [...]"
Descrição dos habitantes, homens e mulheres:
"The male inhabitants are tall, strong, active and bold, generally handsome, with swarthy complexions, and wearing large whiskers and beards. In their dealings they are honest, and are proverbial for their hospitality. The women, who are seldom to be seen, are well formed and good stature; they are mostly of fair complexions and very beautiful; their costume is nearly the same as that of the upper classes in Persia, being a long frock of rich silk with full coloured trowsers; on their heads they wear a small cap embroidered with gold, attached to which is a large white veil to cover their heads, and to drawn over their faces on the approach of a stranger, leaving only a small opening for the eyes."
Imagens e citações retiradas da Internet - Biblioteca Digital Mundial.
