1 GANDAMAK. 453
2 returned to Kabul with the family of Dost
3 Mahomed Khan. He is the friend of every
4 one, and the first and best the English ever had
5 in Afghanistan.*
6 23rd.—Gandamak ; distance, thirteen miles.
7 Road: over strong ground, gradual ascents and
8 descent, formed by hills of loose sandstone, till
9 a place called Nimla is reached, famous for its
10 beautiful garden, which abounds with flowers
11 and trees of great size; but it is now in a very
12 neglected condition. Nimla is also known as
13 the place where Shah Shuja was defeated, and
14 lost his throne. A turn to the right leads to a
15 steep and stony ascent half a mile in length;
16 * “Instead of keeping along the line of march, we turned
17 off towards the river and passed through some very fine
18 country to the house and estate of Jabbar Khan, an elder
19 brother of Dost Mahomed, whom neglect has driven away,
20 although he has always been notoriously our best friend in
21 Afghanistan. He was much respected in the country, and
22 never interfered in any way in its political squabbles. His
23 house was a very extensive one, situated in the midst of
24 splendid cultivation, and his people had prepared a break-
25 fast of a lamb stuffed with nuts for our benefit. His de-
26 parture is universally regretted, both by Europeans and
27 natives.’— Fane’s Five Years in India, pp. 205, “206.