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The heart of a continent : vol.1 |
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I have said that the Mehtar has to consult the feelings of
these Adamzadas. On all important occasions, beside those
who may happen to be in Chitral at the time, the principal
Adamzadas throughout the country, and perhaps also the
governors of the various districts (except the distant districts
of Yasin) are summoned to Chitral, and the Mehtar holds a
general council of state. Such councils are held when an invasion
takes place, or when it is proposed to attack some neighbouring
country, or when questions of foreign policy arise, such as
whether the state should ally itself with the British Government
or with Afghanistan. On occasions like these, all the chief
men in the country would be asked down to Chitral, and the
matter discussed in durbar. I was particularly struck by the
openness with which the affairs of the country are discussed.
While we make a great mystery of our policy, and conduct
our business by confidential correspondence, the members of
one department of Government not letting even the members
of another department know what is taking place, in Chitral
the affairs of state are discussed openly in durbar, and it is only
very confidential matters that the Mehtar talks over separately
with a few of his most trusted advisers. So little indeed do
the Chitralis resort to secrecy, that several times I have known
the Mehtar, when a letter has been brought him, and his own
clerk was not present, hand it over to my native assistant, and
ask him to read the contents to him.
Out of the general assembly the Mehtar naturally, and as it
were involuntarily, selects certain men whom he trusts and
consults more than the rest. If they live at a distance from
Chitral, he will summon them oftener, and keep them longer.
If they live at Chitral, he will have them repeatedly by his side.
An informal cabinet council thus exists, and these men might
be called "his Majesty's advisers." It is possible to trace in
the council of Chitral, as in councils of men of every kind,
the progressive and the stationary parties; the men who wish
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