Cashmeerwas wrested from the Mogul by Ahmed Shauh, and has ever since continued a subject pro vince of Caubul. The soil is more fertile, and the inhabitants more industrious than in any other part of the Afghaun dominions. The capital of the same name is the largest city in the kingdom, containing from 150,000 to 200,000 inhabitants ; and the reve nue is estimated at 4,626,800 rupees, nearly half a million Sterling. The country is ruled by a gover nor, who exercises with severity all the functions of a sovereign. The Dooraunees, who compose the military force, indulge in unusual treat this fine country as a conquered provnce. These oppressions give rise to frequent insurrections; but as the Cashmerians are endowed with a very small portion of courage, their risings are quickly crushed by the arrival of an Afghaun army ; and the yoke is rendered more severe by the abortive attempt at emancipation.
The principal cities of Afghaunistaun are Pesha wer, Caubul, Candahar, and Heraut. Peshawer, at present the largest town in Caubul, is situated in a most beautiful and fertile plain, of about SS miles in diameter. It is watered. by several branches of the river of Caubul ; and while it displays all the luxuriance of tropical fertility, is nearly environed by the snowy summits of the Hin don Coosb, and the ridge of Solimaun. The city itself is of five miles in circumference, is ' built upon an irregular surface, and contains about )100,000 inhabitants. The houses are built of brick, generally unburnt, in wooden frames. They are usually three stories high, the lower story being oc cupied by shops. The streets are narrow, not being designed for wheel.carringes ; and, though paved, they are slippery and inconvenient. The shops are Commodious, and well supplied with a variety of ar ticles ; while greens, curds, and particularly water; are called through the streets. The inhabitants pre fent a varied and picturesque appearance ; people of the town in white turbans, some in large, white, or dark blue frocks, and others in sheep-akin cloaks; Persians and Afghauns, in brown woollen tunics, er flowing mantles, and caps of black sheep-skin or co loured silk; Khyberees, with the straw sandals, and the wild dress and air of their mountains ; Hindoos, uniting the peculiar features and manners of their own nation, to the long beard and the dress of the country ; and Hazaurehs not more remarkable for their conical caps of skin with the wool appearing like a fringe round the edge, and for their bread faces and little eyes, than for that want of the beard, which is the ornament of every other face) in the city. • Among these might be discovered a few wo
men, with long veils that reached their feet. Some times, when the king was going out, the streets were. choked with horse and foot, and dromedaries bear ing swivels, and large waving red and green flags ; and, at an times, loaded dromedaries, or heavy Bac trian camels, made their way slowly through the streets." The Balla Bissau?, or royal residence, is w castle of no strength. It contains some fine halls and map nificent gardens ; but being only occasionally occu pied by the king, is much neglected. This, and a fine caravansera, are the only public edifices that de serve notice. Few of the nobility have homes at Peshawer.
Caubul is a small city not supposed to contain more than 8000 inhabitants. It is, however, com pact and handsome, and has for some time been the chief residence of the court. It is also a great em porium of trade, and the number and arrangement of its bazars have excited much admiration. Its climate and scenery have been a theme of panegyric to the writers of Persia and India. It is situated in .6 valley encompassed by mountains, and watered by numerous streams, which maintain perpetual verdure and fertility. A single district in the neighbour hood contains no less than 6000 orchards. In the province of Caubul are situated the remains of Ohm nee, once the proud capital of Western Asia. It is now 1500 houses, but proves its ancient greatness by some lofty minarets, situated without the walls, and by the tomb of Mahmood, placed at the distance of three miles from the city.
Candahar is a large city, tbevgh, as Mr Ilphin. tone tpprehends, not quite -equal to Peallawer. It is built of an oblong form, and on a mere regular plan than is nand in Asia. Its edifices, however, are not more elegant than those of the other eities of the kingdom. It is chiefly inhabited by Argluernis, who, toNvever, are by Ito .rneami allowed to -enjoy See Elphinstone's Accosatt of Casbal and iu Dr. pendencies. 41o. Load. 1815. (14