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INDIA

carpets from Central Asia and Turkestan, ¢ pushmina ” and
woollen materials of local manufacture, sheepskin rugs
and coats (“postins”), with the usual establishment of
butchers, bakers, tailors, and bootmakers are to be found
in all. There is a fair trade also in Russian and English
goods. In the year 1886 English piece goods predominated
 in the Kabul market, where also Russian crockery
ware was much in favour ; but the facilities afforded to
Russian trade by railway development have acted largely
in favour of Russia since then. On the other hand, a
cosmopolitan taste for many of the luxuries of civilisation
(including soap) has lately been introduced by the energy
of the firm which is represented by an English manager
at Kabul ; and the late Amir’s own determined support of
the economic developments of his capital has introduced
so many modern improvements that a strong line of
distinction must now be drawn between Kabul and her
sister cities. In estimating the mutual value of the trade
relations that exist between Afghanistan and India it must
be remembered that the tide of trade sets almost entirely
southward. Never since Afghanistan was a part of the
Durani empire of Ahmad Shah has there been the
opportunity that is afforded by long periods of peace for
the development of the internal resources of the country
sufficient to render it self-supporting. A large agricultural
population has no doubt been able to subsist on the produce
 of irrigated cultivation, for the soil of Afghanistan is
fruitful and the climate kind, and the only requirement
for good harvest is a fair supply of water and labour.
But the periods of peace have been too short to admit of
any large development of cultivation beyond the limits
absolutely necessary for bare subsistence, so that the
demands of the army, and the necessities of a hungry and
turbulent nobility, have hitherto been met by periodic
raids on India and appeals to the force of arms.
Even now, after twenty years of fairly settled Government
 under the Amir Abdur Rahman, Afghanistan is but
in her cradle of national economic development. She
still looks to India for material support, and it is probable