1 ^ , POLICY OF AHMED SHAUH. LArruimx.
2 the means which were used to compel them to pay tribute to a foreign states
3 and had ever regarded liim as a powei ful enemy, rather than a magistrate hj
4 whom thev were protected, and to wlium ihev owed loyaltv and attAcliment.
5 They had never been united under a native Kmgj and, irom the love of equality
6 m CQia§fAcwm in tliQir chaiMter, tliuy ipeie Ithdy to vieir the <iilt>tioB of
7 Hiis difference of the sttiuition in which Ahmed Shonh was placed, from
8 that of Naudir, made -a corresponding variation in his poliry. His first
9 object was to secui'e the atfections of his own tribe, on whom he dei)ended
10 for permauent support, as well as for immediate assistance. For thin pur-
11 pose he confirmed the Dooraunees in the poasessicMi of theit lands, requiring
12 no Mcriflce ftom them, but the attei^Mioe of tiieir oontiiigeiit of troopg m
13 isod Iqr Nindir. Hedistraniledidl&egMitafficMorhiaMir ttatea^^
14 tibe letdiaig DoofaillieM, and established thoM oAoea in pvtiailar families
15 in the same manner in which he fixed the crown on his own ; he M} the
16 hereditar}' chiefs in posses •< ion of their privileges, and seldom interi m rod tn
17 the internal government ol their clans, except in such a degree m was neces*
18 Bory to keep up his army, and to preserve the general tranquillity ; which he
19 ihntfi tfibduaUy He took pmnt to mftavt the advantage Jit
20 darivcd fiwD the leneot of "die Dtoatamieea Sot iht Suddocvea • aWMHwh he
21 probably regarded many of that family with jealousy, aa Ina rivals in the
22 attachment of his tribe ; he always niaintaJned their privileges, and enforced
23 the exercise of the respect which was due to them. Stories are told of his
24 severely pumstiing hyuiwa to SuddozyeSt even when offered in supporting his
25 own cause.^
26 . IViththeodiartribeai eiocf* the Ohiljies, his plan waato endaaffoor to
27 ftnnatpititef attachaBent to their native Kii^* which be might hope to
28 accowipliwh, by delivering them from fttei^ dimiiiiflw, and bj a modmaCe
29 and gradual introduction of his own power.
30 His moderation towards the Afghauns mav, however, have been caused in
31 part by 'other motives, as he eitiur felt, or [ncUjidt il tn teel, a strong attach,
32 ment to his nation, and olten gave as his reaM>n ior not attacking refractory
33 trilM^ dttt 1m waa nnwilli^g to bring any caUmity upon b» countiymen.
34 For dieoonaafidationof hiapowarathooMik he laliadf in a great aaaaaore^
35 en the effects of hie ftieign wars. U tlwaa ware auooamAd, liis victories
36 would raise his rqputatfcwi^ and his conquests would supply him with tba
37 aaaana ci nkamtainiDaananBT.andcf f ^tr'**ffTfy *^>'> Afirhawn rhkifi by ftirwiia
38 , Digitized by Google