This book examines the experiences and writings of Lillias Hamilton, a British woman who traveled to India and Afghanistan at end of nineteenth century and served as a medical advisor and physician to Amir Abd al-Rahman, King of Afghanistan. Hamiltons accounts of her experiences in Afghanistan are unique because they chronicle her double-layered interaction with the Royal Court and the Royal Harem. They provide insight into Amir Abd al-Rahman, King of Afghanistan's personality and court life. Additionally, they offer singular insights into harem, domestic life, and slavery in Afghanistan in the late nineteenth century.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
Abbreviations
Note on Transliteration and the Spelling of Names
1 Introduction: Lillias Anna Hamilton
1Nineteenth-Century English Women Voyagers to the East
2Hamiltons Early Life, Professional Training and Travel to India
3Unexpected Opportunity and Relocation to Afghanistan
4Purpose and Structure
5Note on Sources
2 Amir Abd al-Rahman: Zia al-Millat wa al-Dn (Light of Nation and
Religion), r. 18801901
1Afghanistan and the British Empire
2Abd Al-Rahman Khans Ascendance to the Throne
3Amir Abd Al-Rahmans Early Life
4British Observers View of Amir Abd Al-Rahman
5Relations with the British
6The Rule of the Iron Amir
7The Amir Court
8Foreign Employees of the Amir
3 At the Royal Harem: Lillias Hamilton and Bibi Halima
1Hamiltons Audience with the Amir and the Sultana
2Harem Life in Nineteenth-Century Afghanistan
3Amir Abd Al-Rahmans Harem and Household
4Bibi Halima, the Crowned Lady of the Harem
5A Resolute Feminist and a Powerful Queen: Hamilton and the Sultana
6Hamilton and the Amirs Household
4 Lillias Hamilton and Afghan Women
1Hamilton on the Elite Women and Harem Life in Kabul: Idleness and
Intrigue
2Hamilton on Marriage and Polygamy
3Hamilton on Female Slaves and Non-elite Women
4Female Slaves in Hamiltons Novels
5Hamilton on Women in the Countryside
5 The Kings Physician
1Appointment to the Royal Court
2Hamiltons Involvement in Court Politics
3Amir Abd Al-Rahmans Invitation to England
4Hamiltons Appointment to Nasr-Allah Khans Mission
5Continuing Efforts to Discredit Hamilton and Prevent Her Return to Kabul
6Escalation of Tensions with the Sultana
7Hamiltons Impressions of the Royal Court
6 Amir Abd al-Rahman through the Eyes of Lillias Hamilton
1A Charming, Intelligent Man of Good Taste
2The Amirs Views on Religion
3A Ruthless but Astute Ruler
4Establishment of Law and Order
5Modernizing Tyrant
6Progress in the Field of Medicine
7Centralization of Power and Unification of Afghanistan
8Hamiltons Defense of the Occupation of Kafiristan
9The Question of Succession
7 Departure from Afghanistan
Epilogue
Appendix: Abd al-Rahmans Wives, Concubines and Children
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
Index
Senzil Nawid (Ph.D. 1987), University of Arizona, was professor at the same institution. She is the author of Religious Response to Social Change in Afghanistan (Mazda, 1999), as well as numerous articles, book chapters and encyclopedia entries on Afghanistan.
