The Qizilbash population of Afghanistan A Mughal Persian tribe settled in different parts of Afghanistan, and especially in Kabul and its neighbourhood. When Nadir Shah marched for India in 1738, he left at Kabul a “chandawal,” or rear guard, of this tribe, whose name is derived from the red caps they once wore, i.e., kizil bash. After the death of Nadir Shah they remained at Kabul as a military colony, and their descendants still occupy a distinct quarter of the city, which is called Chandawal. They hold their ground in Afghanistan as a distinct Persian community of the Shia persuasion against the native Sunni population. They constitute an important element in the general population of the capital, and exercise a considerable influence in local politics. Owing to their isolated position and antagonism to the Afghans, they are favourable inclined to the British. Indeed the overture which Burnes reports to have been made to him by Naib Muhammad Sharif shows this. He...