Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/109

AFREEDEE. a road. Such an outrage, as the Afreedees refused to give up the murderers, could not be passed over, and a force, under Sir Charles Napier, attacked the pass, and destroyed the four villages situated in the pass; but the operation had no effect upon the rebellious tribe. After some delays and futile negotiations, the mouths of the passes were closed against them, and unable to resist, or to carry on their usual trade in wood and salt, the tribe submitted, and a new treaty was made with them. No sooner had the Areedees of the Kohat pass come to terms, than those of the Jewakee rebelled; a medical officer, Dr. Henley, travelling to Kohat, was murdered, and many raids made by them into the Peshawur and Kohat valleys; when, however, they came to know they would be attacked, they submitted, and since then have behaved well. So much cannot be said for the others. In 1853, a dispute between the Bungush Pathans of Kohat and the Afreedees caused much trouble and conflision, and a fort was built at the Peshawur side of the pass, which is garrisoned by British troops. Further hostilities occurred between the rival tribes, and in the confusion no one could be made responsible for outrage. The pass was therefore again closed, and a final settlement with all the tribes and subdivisions shows the separate claims and interests which Government had to acknowledge before peace could be ensured.

Since then, with few exceptions, the Afreedees have kept the Kohat pass safely; but it was not till the destruction of their stronghold of Boree, that the Jewakee Afi-eedees were reduced to order, and a portion of the other confederates, unable apparently to resist temptation, or to anticipate being brought to justice for other crimes, suddenly attacked the camp of Lieutenant Hamilton, and after wounding him severely, made off with Government money to the amount of 10,000 rupees.

The relations with the Afreedees of these passes need not be further illustrated. Enough has been described from official reports to show the nature of the people, and the really slight hold Government has upon these wild tribes, and how at any time the most vexatious disturbances may arise from their breach of faith, inherent lawlessness, or disputes and feuds among themselves.