Wakhan Quadrangle: Exploration and Espionage During and After the Great Game

Description

The Wakhan Quadrangle became an arena of colonial competition when four powers - Afghanistan, China, Great Britain and Russia - struggled for dominance in a remote mountain region where only scattered communities lived in a challenging environment - called the "Great Game". Prior to this, various international travellers had been sent out, commissioned to record routes, military details and strategic information for the respective parties in the contest. Among the explorers were so-called indigenous intermediaries who were trained in measuring geodetic parameters and who noted down their observations about the customs, culture and economy of the people. They were expected to be knowledgeable in terms of linguistic skills and cultural practices and were less likely than their colonial masters to arouse suspicion. Munshi Abdul Rahim was an explorer who was sent to Wakhan and Badakhshan in 1879-1880 by the first British Political Agent in Gilgit. His report, reprinted in facsimile, is the centerpiece of this book. It was written during a crucial period for Wakhan that resulted in the imperial division of the formerly independent principality into two parts and the flight and migration of a large share of its inhabitants. His account is preceded by an introduction to the "Great Game" and its implications for the Central Asian interface. Munshi Abdul Rahim's narrative serves to discuss the function of providers of 'political' and 'non-political' information, i.e. the distinction between exploration and espionage from colonial times to the present day. The comments and interpretations are embedded in archival research and fieldwork done by the author over 40 years. Cover Titel Imprint Contens Avant-propos Travelogues from forgotten visitors Introducing actors and interests Narrowing down the context – Munshi Abdul Rahim’s mission Contents and comments The immediate aftermath and long-lasting effects Transliteration and transcription Copyright Introduction From river source to geopolitical pivot – The great game on the Oxus Dominance and restructuring – 40 years that shaped Central Asia Men on the ground – an Anglo-Russian contest Gambling in the great game – a multi-tier playground Intellectual support during the Great Game Endgame in the Wakhan quadrangle Missions with an aim From Kashgar to Wakhan Colonial masters depending on indigenous intermediaries – collaboration in map-making and reconnaissance Muslim trackers in trans-frontier Central Asia A ‘skeleton map’ John Biddulph – commanding officer and mastermind Mukhtar Shah and Munshi Abdul Rahim – two travellers on their way to Badakhshan Munshi Abdul Rahim’s journey revisited – from colonial ignorance to present-day reception Munshi Abdul Rahim’s visit at a crucial time for wakhan and Badakhshan Topics covered and highlighted in Munshi Abdul Rahim’s report – religion – Ceremonies on the birth of a son – Marriage ceremonies – On death – Education – Built environment – Administrative division – Agriculture – Animal husbandry – Authority and rule – Wakhan within Badakhshan – Ishkashim – Zebak – Warduj – Faizabad – On the holy mantle – Sale of slaves – Manufactures of Badakhshan – Mineral wealth and other produce – Indian goods in Badakhshan – Russian goods in Badakhshan – Bokharan goods – Goods from Qataghan and Kunduz – Products from Chitral – Artisans and craftsmen from Faizabad – Khamchán, the ancient capital – On the tribes of Badakshán – The tribe of Hazáras – On religion – On learning – On house-building – On habits of hospitality – Habits of the inhabitants of Badakhshan – On giving and taking girls in marriage – Pride of race of the tribes – On clothing – Clothing of women – Appearance and height of men – On the men’s labour – On the women’s labour – Sickness in Badakhshan – On cattle-rearing and wealth – Numbers of population – On the climate of Badakhshan – Table of descent of the Mirs of Badakhshan – Detailed account of the sons of the Mirs of Badakhshan – Relationship and kinsmanship of the Mirs of Badakhshan – Place of flight or refuge of the Mirs of Badakhshan – Dependence of the Mir of Shughnan on Badakhshan – History of Badakhshan – Ancient revenue at the time of the Chughtai Kings and others – The expenditure of the Mir on his house and army – Habits of the Mir – People of rank – On the treatment of guests and vakils by the Mir – Account of two or three generations of the Mirs of Qataghan – Route descriptions – General remarks on the Yarkhun Valley Comment on the narrative Journey to Badakshan with report to Badakshan and Wakhan by Munshi Abdul Rahim Sequel Wakhan and its heritage in multi-local situations Exodus of Mir ali Mardan Shah Options for returning to Wakhan Wakhan divided – people on the move Community division along the Panj The fate and future of the pīr Routes across the Hindukush, Pamirs, Karakoram and Himalaya The wakhan quadrangle in transition – links between Afghanistan, British India and Kashgaria Chitral-Wakhan route – nexus with trade from Badakhshan Separate infrastructures – roads to development Contemporary life in Badakhshan Faizabad – the urban centre Adaptation in new abodes – mobility, migration and integration Rajon Ishkashim Sarikol Gojal Cross-boundary communication and exchange Strategic importance today Postscript The fate of indigenous intermediaries exploration and intelligence collection in the Wakhan quadrangle – yesterday and today Anthropological, botanical and geographical exploration Glossary Pronunciation Bibliography Archival collections Published sources Map bibliography Index