1 a vizier's daughter - Hazara.net

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A VIZIER’S DAUGHTER – A TALE OF THE HAZARA WAR
place in the household. Independent of every one, she yet managed all
the most important part of her father’s property’ viz., his flocks, and
b y her energy restored some of the comfort which for several months
past had been sadly lacking in her old home, for Halima was no
manager.
The summer, then the autumn ended, and winter was well nigh upon
them when one evening towards dusk Ghulam Hossain suddenly made
his appearance in the midst of his family, just as though he were
returning from some of his ordinary business expeditions connected
with the sale of sheep or wool. He expressed no surprise at seeing Gul
Begum, and she was far too much taken up with him and the jo y of his
return to think of what she herself had had to suffer. A Hazara soon
forgets the actual discomfort or even pain to which she has been
subjected. All she remembers is that she owes the inflictor a debt, and
that that has to be paid. So with Gul Begum. In time Mohamed Jan
must be punished for the insults to which he had subjected her , but for
the moment she had her father with her and she was sat isfied.
In the course of many conversations she had with him, it appeared that
the snow having fallen on all the highest passes, the Ameer had
recalled his troops for the winter, with further promises of peace and
favour to the Hazaras in the future, if the y would la y down their arms
and would consent to have their country incorporated with Afghanistan.
“Father, he is irresistible, this Iron Ameer. What is the use of
persisting in opposing him ? You yourself said long ago, ‘We shall not
be victorious.’ Where is the use of striving further ? Has there not been
trouble and suffering enough throughout the country?”
He looked her at fondly. “There has been more than enough,” he said,
noting the many signs of anxiety and care which had made their
appearance on her bright you ng face since last he saw her, “but, Gul
Begum, I cannot sell my country to secure my own ease. The Mullah
still is confident of final victory. He is spending the winter down in the
country round Kabul. There are many Hazaras there. If only they would
rise as one man we should have some chance. There is hardly a
household about there that has not got its Hazara slave; and there are
the labourers, the donke y drivers, the water carriers, men by the
thousand, who, if the y would only rise in the cit y, would oblige the
Ameer to call back his soldiers from the hills to protect his home. Then
we might make a rush down and assist our fellow-countrymen in the
town, and it is just possible that if all went in our favour we might be
the victors, and might even take Kabul. It is a great scheme, and
whichever way the chances of war go, there will be carnage and most
terrible slaughter; but if they go against us, it will mean the complete
destruction of our race.”
“Father, the risk is too great,” Gul Begum urged; “give in, make terms
now with this man of steel. Consent to pay these taxes and whatever
else he demands, provided the y are used for the benefit of our own