Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 2) (London, 1835)

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PERSIANS OF CABOOL. chap. v.

Cabool, it was also the prison of the younger
branches of the royal family, where they were con-
fined for life. They tell a story, that, when set
free from it, after murdering their keeper, they
looked with astonishment at seeing water flow — so
closehadbeen their confinement in this walled abode.
It is difficult to say, whether these unfortunate men
were not happier than in their present state, which
is that of abject poverty. Many of the sons of
Timour Shah came in absolute hunger to solicit
alms from us. I advised them to make a petition
to the chief for some permanent relief; but they
said that they had no mercy to expect from the
Barukzye family, now in power, who thirsted after
their blood.

Near the Bala Hissar, and separated from it and
every part of the city, the Persians, or Kuzzilbasb.es,
as they are called, reside. They are Toorks, and
principally of the tribe of Juwansheer, who were
fixed in this country by Nadir Shah. Under the
kings of Cabool they served as body-guards, and
were a powerful engine of the state. They yet
retain their language, and are attached to the pre-
sent chief, whose mother is of their tribe. I had an
opportunity of seeing these people to advantage ;
being invited to a party given by our conductor
from Peshawur, the jolly Naib Mahommed Shureef.
I met the whole of the principal men, and their
chief, Sheereen Khan. The entertainment was
more Persian than Afghan. Among them, I could
discover anew people,and a new mode of thinking ;
for they have retained some of the wit that marks