Image: Afghan lady in Kabul

Description: Ladies Of Caubul This lithograph is taken from plate 24 of 'Afghaunistan' by Lieutenant James Rattray. A political mission composed of Doctor Lord and Captain Rattray (James' brother) was established at Bamiyan. This was the frontier city of Afghanistan and the first spot which could be attained by the Russians. It was also the only road by which the exiled Dost Mohammed could revisit his kingdom. The region was famed for its Buddhist statues. Shakar Lab ('Sugar Lips') was the favourite wife of a former governor of Bamiyan and niece by marriage to Dost Mohammed. As a great favour, Rattray was introduced to her at Kabul. Describing her as a Qizilbash belle of the first water, Rattray wrote: "Afghaun ladies exercise more control over their husbands than is usual in Eastern countries." Though women of the higher classes were strictly under purdah as in Hindustan, Rattray wrote that they certainly enjoyed life more than the Hindustanis. Women were seen making constant pleasure excursions into tombs, gardens and bazaars, and they threw off their veils and restraint in secluded spots. He had sometimes come upon them thus and found them strikingly handsome.
Title: Afghan lady in Kabul
Credit: British Library
Author: Lieutenant James Rattray
Permission: This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or less. You must also include a United States public domain tag to indicate why this work is in the public domain in the United States. Note that a few countries have copyright terms longer than 70 years: Mexico has 100 years, Jamaica has 95 years, Colombia has 80 years, and Guatemala and Samoa have 75 years. This image may not be in the public domain in these countries, which moreover do not implement the rule of the shorter term. Côte d'Ivoire has a general copyright term of 99 years and Honduras has 75 years, but they do implement the rule of the shorter term. Copyright may extend on works created by French who died for France in World War II (more information), Russians who served in the Eastern Front of World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia) and posthumously rehabilitated victims of Soviet repressions (more information). This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or less. You must also include a United States public domain tag to indicate why this work is in the public domain in the United States. Note that a few countries have copyright terms longer than 70 years: Mexico has 100 years, Jamaica has 95 years, Colombia has 80 years, and Guatemala and Samoa have 75 years. This image may not be in the public domain in these countries, which moreover do not implement the rule of the shorter term. Côte d'Ivoire has a general copyright term of 99 years and Honduras has 75 years, but they do implement the rule of the shorter term. Copyright may extend on works created by French who died for France in World War II (more information), Russians who served in the Eastern Front of World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia) and posthumously rehabilitated victims of Soviet repressions (more information). This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights.
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