ontier. The maintenance of these arrangements is in no wise
dependent on the assent or dissent, on the good will or ill-will,
of any Chief at Kabul. The character of them has been so fully
explained by you to all the other Kabul Sirdars that it is
probably well known to Abdur Rahman. But in order that our present
intercourse and future relations with the Sirdar may be perfectly
clear of doubt on a point affecting the position he aspires
to fill, the Governor-General in Council authorizes you, if
necessary, to make him plainly understand that neither the
district assigned to us by the Treaty of Gandamak, nor any part
of the province of Kandahar, will ever be restored to the Kabul
Power.

As regards this last-mentioned province, the Government of India
has been authorized by that of Her Majesty to give to Sher Ali
Khan, the present Wali of Kandahar, a distinct assurance that
he will be not only recognized, but maintained, by the British
Government as the Ruler of that province. Sher Ali Khan is one of
the Native nobles of Kandahar. He is administering the province
with ability, good sense, and complete loyalty to the British
Government, which has promised him the support of a British
garrison so long as he requires such support. The Governor-General
in Council cannot doubt that Sirdar Abdur Rahman will readily
recognize the obligation incumbent on the honour of the British
Government to keep faith with all who, whether at Kandahar or
elsewhere, have proved themselves true and loyal adherents.
Yakub Khan forfeited our alliance, and with it his throne, by
mistrusting the assurances we gave him, and falsifying those
which he had given to us. If, misled by his example, Yakub Khan's
successor attempts to injure or oppress the friends of the British
Government, its power will again be put forth to protect or avenge
them. Similarly, if the next Kabul Ruler reintroduces into his
Court or country foreign influences adverse to our own, the
Government of India will again take such steps as it may deem
expedient to deal with such a case. These contingencies, however,
cannot occur if the sentiments of Abdur Rahman are such as
he represents them to be. Meanwhile, the territorial and
administrative arrangements already completed by us for the
permanent protection of our own interests are no