Book Review: Afghanistan and the Afghans by Major H.W. Bellew

This book/document provides a brief account of the history of Afghanistan and its people. It gives a special mention to the continuing crisis with Amir Sher Ali Khan of Afghanistan. The author tries to show that Afghanistan is unable to maintain its independence as a friendly neighbor without British support. He holds this view in reference to the aggressive policy of the Russians.

Bellew traces history of Afghans during the time of the Mughal rule in India. He espouses that in the latter half of the seventeenth century the Mughal Empire in India and the Saffavi in Persia were weakening the Afghans made many attempts to throw off the Mughals.

Nadir Shah is presented as a ‘Turkman bandit’ by the author, who overran Persia with his hordes of slave hunting robbers. Upon Nadir Shah’s death one of his Afghan generals named Sardar Ahmad Khan too over Nadir Shah’s position. Ahmad Khan crowned himself as the King of the Durrani, with the title Ahmad Shah. These events occurred in about 1747. From this date commences the history of Afghanistan as an independent kingdom. Ahmad Shah’s eldest son Tymur succeeded to the throne. With the death of Tymur in 1793 the downfall of the Durrani empire became complete. The Barakzai rose to power in 1818 after a period of turmoil.

An infringement of Afghan territory by the Persians led to the declaration war against Persia by the British government, and the conclusion of a treaty between government of India and the Amir of Kabul signed at Peshawar in January 1857. Back then Dost Muhammad Khan was the Amir of Kabul. Sher Ali in 1875 had thrown over the English to try Russian friendship. Bellew makes the argument that Sher Ali in the blindness of his ambition and the excess of his pride ignored the benefits he received from the British government. He further adds the material support by the British on successive occasions of domestic peril, there would not have been a united Afghanistan without the help of the British Empire.

Bellew states that twice Herat was rescued by the Persians by force of arms which involved millions of money and thousands of lives. Moreover, he emphasizes that thirty thousand muskets and two batteries of rifled artillery were provided. Training of drill-instructors and officers, provision of skilled artisans for gun-cap and arms manufacturers were made. In addition, dozens of exiled members of Sher Ali were sheltered.  The author raises a question ‘what has the Amir done for us in return for these concessions and favors.’ In return Sher Ali shut up his country to the British Empire. He not only closed roads to the British but also refused to answer letters addressed to him by the Viceroy.

On rejection of a friendly British Mission by the Amir, the use of force by the government of India was the only available alternative. The author considers that Amir Sher Ali is indebted to the British government for the possession and retention of Kandahar, Herat and Balkh. He opines that the government of India was entering Afghanistan with the pretext of only providing internal security and order but also to provide for the safety of its frontiers against external aggression and intrigue.

Further in the book the Bellew discusses Khan of Kalat, the rule of Sikhs, Amir of Bukhara and the Amir of Kabul. In the last quarter of the book the author briefly explains the different races inhabiting Afghanistan. Different territories are described. The name of origin of such territories are debated. Various tribes among the Pukhtuns, Turks, Hazaras and Tajiks are also discussed.

In the concluding paragraph of the book Bellew explains how he believes that Afghanistan would have never been able to maintain any degree of security as an independent kingdom without external sources of aid-either by military expeditions as in the time of Saddozai, or by diplomatic negotiations as in the time of Barakzais.

The author considers an error on behalf of the British Empire in trusting a ‘barbarous and untrustworthy neighbor’ pointing directly to Amir Sher Ali Khan’s rule.

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Book Review: Karl Marx by David McLellan

I am writing this review after almost six years. I read this book back in summer 2013. Karl Marx was born in Trier in 1818 and he died in 1893.

Marx spent a lot of his time with Young Hegelian intellectuals. He tried his career in journalism. Marx was expelled from Paris for subversive journalism. He met Engels who was the son of a Rhenish cotton spinner. Engels brought Marx a practical acquaintance with the workings of capitalism, provided source of financial assistance and one firm friendship that Marx enjoyed throughout his life. Marx could not complete his work on political economy due to his involvement in the International Workingmen’s Association, commonly known as the first International.

For Marx the proletariat was destined to assume the universal role that Hegel had misleadingly assigned to the bureaucracy. Marx wrote about alienated labor. This labor had four aspects to it. First, the worker was related to his labor as to an alien objet. Second, the worker did not view his work as part of his real life. Third, man’s social essence was taken away from him in his work which did not represent the harmonious efforts of man as a “species being”. Fourth, man found himself alienated from other men.

Marx considers “communism as the positive abolition of private property and thus of human self-alienation and therefore the real re-appropriation of the human essence by and for man. This is communism as the complete and conscious return of man himself as a social, i.e., human being.”

Discussing history, the author quotes from the Communist Manifesto: “The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of a class struggles.” Marx wrote that “society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great classes directly facing each other: bourgeoisie and proletariat”: and the same view reappears in capital. Marx espouses a materialist conception of history.

Explaining economics, the author states that Marx gave the labor theory of value, according to which the value of objects was measured by the amount of Labor embodied in them. Marx paints a grim picture of the fate of the working class. He says that “within the capitalist system all methods for raising the social productiveness of labor are brought about at the cost of the individual laborer”. It was Engels, in 1844 who guided Marx’s interest to economics and introduced him at first hand to British Capitalism. Engels survived Marx by thirteen years. He was the keeper of Marx’s archives and began editing his manuscripts of the remaining volumes of Capital.

Under the theme of politics Marx main target was the state. He considered state as the central institution of capitalist society. Marx viewed state as an instrument of class domination. The large-scale industry and universal competition of modern capitalism had created their own political organization- the modern liberal democratic state under which the bourgeoisie could best develop its class potential. Moreover, he believes that after a successful proletarian revolution there would be a period of transition which he occasionally referred to as “the dictatorship of the proletariat”. He associated the word dictatorship with the Roman office of dictatura, where all power was legally concentrated in the hands of a single man during a limited period in a time of crisis.

Marx appeared to be a philosopher, a humanist with not only a devastating account of the alienation of man in capitalist society but also in rich and varied account of the potential latent in every individual waiting to be realized under communism. Later in many developing nations Marxism combined with nationalism functions as an ideology for mass participation in the modernization process. The author substitutes the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America as “external proletariat” in the place of the industrial working class in which Marx placed such hope.

The ideas of Marx have been an inspiration and has had a significant impact on a large section of humanity over the last century.

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Book Review: Teachings of Rumi by Andrew Harvey

Jalal-ud-din Rumi, one of the greatest mystics of Islam was probably born in Balkh Afghanistan in September 1207. He died in Konya in Southern Turkey in December 1273. Mevlevi order was founded by him and continued by his son Sultan Valad. He spread his vision all over Asia and Africa.

 Rumi combined the intellect of a Plato, the vision and enlightened soul-force of a Buddha or a Christ, and the extravagant literary gifts of a Shakespeare. This particular book is divided into four movements. The first one is call, second is named Be a Lover, third one is Ordeal and the last one is Union. Quotations have been taken from the whole range of Rumi’s work. Letters, table talk, stories, sections from Mathnawi, poetry and prose have also been included. At one place in the book Rumi says: “God is He who consumes man and makes him nothing, since no reason can understand Him”.

On page 23 author quotes from Mathnawi:

“You went on pilgrimage to Mecca, but where are you now?”

Page 27:

“Yet how could I know His presence near me without traveling across the world?”

Page 46:

Take care! Don’t commit crimes and sins saying to yourself, “I will repent tomorrow and take refuge in God.”

Page 53:

“Rise up, use this time richly, you poor man!

If you don’t, you’ll burn with regret

When your soul’s separated from your body.”

Page 71:

“Every low-souled person who confines himself to contemplating the garden remains deprived of the vision of the Gardener.”

Page 91:

“Palace before the sun burning candle,

See how its shinning disappears before those lights”.

Page 107:

“If you don’t have the cane of prudence and judgement,

Take the eyes of the one who sees as guide”.

Page 116:

“From every direction, agonies have crowded you

To drag you at last towards the Direction less”.

Page 124:

“You’ll only enjoy the city and your relations

After enduring all the griefs and ordeals of exile.”

Page 147:

“To speak of God is to speak of the soul

And to speak of the soul is the Speak of God.”

Page 157:

Rumi quotes Imam Dja’far Cadiq. When Imam purified his soul and paid no attention to Caliphs and Kings, was asked about this pride, he replied, “I myself am not proud. I have abandoned my own existence, the greatness of God has annihilated me and installed itself in place of my pride; the pride I am speaking of springs directly out of the heart of the greatness of God; as for me, in the middle of this glory, I do not exist.”

Jellaludin Rumi (1207-1273) led the quiet life of an Islamic teacher in Central Anatolia (modern Turkey) until the age of thirty-seven, when he met a wandering dervish named Shams Tabriz through whom be encountered divine presence.

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Book Review: The Principality and Power of Europe by Adrian Hilton

Adrian Hilton’s book was published in 1997. The author was a parliamentary candidate who also produced many theater programs. He was also a lecturer in psychology.

Hilton argues that United Kingdom has the right to remain independent politically, economically and religiously. He throws lights on the spiritual and political aspects working throughout Europe. Covering many details of the relationships the author stresses on the importance of sovereignty, role of Vatican and the papacy, the threats to United Kingdom, nature of biblical government and supremacy of European Courts over British acts in Parliament. Moreover, effects of monetary Union, European propaganda Machine and the political implications for Christians of Europe have been covered. The author believes that Europe is again been plunged into darkness with a new strategy of domination.

Under chapter one Hilton stresses that papacy was bought, sold and occasionally obtained by murder. He opines that the great medieval struggle between Empire and Papacy was initiated in 1059. By 1409 there were three Popes. Throughout history the Papacy has always tried to impose itself over Europe and European Union is again considered to be overpowered by the Papacy in a new form.

The second chapter is regarding Dis-United Kingdom. The current debate about devolution for Scotland, and assembly for Wales and a loosening of ties with the Northern Ireland, has encouraged the constituent countries of the UK to look directly to Brussels as the centre of power and influence, rather than to the British parliament at Westminster.

Roman Catholicism has a strong tendency towards centralism. It considers it wholly necessary for individual nations and churches to merge their individual nations and churches to merge their individual identities into a larger body, beneath the guise of avoiding future wars and uniting Christian witness. On the other hand, the protestant Constitution of the United Kingdom has served as a strong defense against Rome’s desires for the ‘evangelization’ of Britain. The Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians and the Spanish do not have Constitutions which prevent the ascendancy of a Roman Catholic monarch, leading to submission to Rome.

Discussing sovereignty in chapter three Hilton regards Britain as no longer an independent sovereign state, by virtue of her membership of the EU. He believes that only by remaining free as a nation can Britain adapt to change according to her choices and priorities. The European law takes precedence over British Acts of parliament. Parliament has, therefore, surrendered its sovereignty. Jean Monnet- one of the founding fathers of EU believed in the Catholic vision that Europe should become a federal super-state.

The author espouses in chapter four that protestant countries like Britain and Denmark to be more democratic and open with less tolerance for centralized control. This view is expressed in the fourth chapter. For the 375 million citizens of the EU, all the decisions are taken by just 50 people: 15 heads of state and government, 15 ministers in Councils of Ministers, and 20 European Commissioners. Furthermore, Hilton thinks that British politicians will soon no longer be the representatives of the British people, but mere delegates of Brussels. The forces driving the European collective simply amend rules to suit their purposes, and are quite prepared to act illegally if necessary.

Addressing the question of citizenship in chapter five, the author of this book throws light on Citizenship in Britain. As more of parliament’s sovereignty is transferred to Brussels, the concept of belonging to the British state is increasingly eroded. The author stresses that the far great constitutional statutes for the British citizens the Magna Carta of Edward I (1215), the Petition of Right (1627), THE Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701)- have never been expressly repealed, through successive European treaties imply that they have been repealed.

The issue of monetary Union is discussed under chapter six. Hilton considers money and power as bedfellows in all walks of life. He views inflation as a moral issue, a fraud policy implemented by a government which hits the poorer members of society disproportionately. On 15 December 1995. The EU leaders agreed that the intended single currency would be called the ‘Euro’. Joining the Monetary Union would elevate the power of Central bankers above that of the elected legislature. The author believes joining the monetary union has little to do with economic or political benefit.

Chapter seven briefly explains the red real costs for the membership of the EU. Hilton states that since joining the EEC in 1973, Britain has amassed an enormous trade deficit with Europe of almost 70 billion pounds. He further espouses that Britain dos not have to sacrifice its freedoms in order to enjoy prosperity. When Britain joined the EEC it was the third richest member and today it is the fourth poorest country in EU.

The question of war or peace is raised in the eighth chapter of the book. Hilton considers that Britain is being conquered by a European oppressor. He presents eleven points for his argument. Firstly, the nation’s flag is lowered and the conqueror’s flag is raised. Second, the national anthem is replaced by the EU anthem. The blue passport abolished and replaced by a red European passport is the third point. Fourth, there is no head of state in Britain with sovereign power, given that the Queen’s power is undermined by imposed European citizenship. The fifth point states that the media is controlled. Sixth, the constitution and the culture are set aside. Seven, the education system is controlled. Eight, the national religion is changed. Britain’s national religion is already in a state of terminal decline as there is ascendancy of Roman Catholics to powerful media and advisory positions.

Nine, ownership rights are diminished. Other European Nationals can register can register their boats in the UK to obtain a share of the UK fish quota. Ten, a form of slavery is imposed. Those who control the interest rates become the masters of the poor especially if there cannot be removal from power by popular vote. The eleventh and final point is that the nation is disarmed. France and Germany want army, navy and air force under European government control.

As a result, all these points assert that Britain is being diplomatically manipulated and defeated through a peaceful war. The author believes that the aim is to bring about the peaceful war. The author believes that the aim is to bring about the peaceful union of Europe under a dominant Germany, to achieve without bloodshed what the Kaiser and Hitler failed to win on the battlefield. The danger is that this aim totally ignores the democratic process. Moreover, Hilton considers both France and Germany as recent converts to democracy and political stability.

Chapter nine is titled ‘The Propaganda Offensive’. In this chapter Euro-propaganda budget is vast. No budget should be used to finance propaganda. The Roman Catholic-dominated press and other media are waging a propaganda war, but the consequent ascendancy of Roman Catholicism in public esteem and respectability causes concern.

Rome operates in a similar manner to the Chameleon. In nations where she is dominant, she is an oppressor; in nations where she is weak, the strategy is to win friends in high places and undermine whatever challenges her supremacy. The protestant/pro-covenant truth is the foundation of the British constitution and social fabric. Now the ascending religious spirit in the United Kingdom is Roman Catholicism as it is the dominant state religion of Europe.

‘The Only Way Forward’ is the last chapter of the book. In this chapter four possible routes are given. The Norwegian, the Swiss, the American and the untried. The author quotes Winston Churchill: ‘We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked, but not combined. We are interested and associated but bot absorbed.’ In the last chapter the author states that France wants Britain to share Europe’s defense burden and counter-balance Germany, Italy wants an ally to balance the Franco-German axis, and the northern EU states value Britain’s financial input and its influence in pressing for liberal economics.

Monetary and Political Union for Britain would bind Britain to Europe in perpetuity. Such a move is considered by the author ‘an offence to Britain’s culture, a rape of Britain’s culture heritage, a corruption of Britain’s laws and a perilous surrender of Britain’s constitution and democracy’.

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Book Review: Fire on the Mountain by Anita Desai

Nanda Kaul an old lady wants to be left alone for the last years of her life. She lives in a quite house at Carignano in Kasauli.

This relatively short book is divided into three parts. The first part discusses Nanda Kaul’s life at Carignano. The arrival of her great granddaughter Raka is covered in the second part. The third and last part of the book is about Ila Das’s departure from Carignano. Nanda Kaul’s daughter is Asha. Asha is mother of Tara and Tara is Raka’s mother.

When Raka comes to live with Nanda Kaul she is not received with an open heart. Instead Raka is initially very reserved and seldom does she talk. Raka would disappear all day in the forest and come back in the evening. She loves walking and hiking in the evening. She seems to enjoy her life as she has no responsibility and is free from worry.

In the last chapters of the book the author writes about the changes in Ila Das and Nanda Kaul’s lives. When Ila Das heads home she is murdered by Preet Singh. Nanda Kaul receives a phone call. This is when the news of her friend’s death is announced to her.

This novel has characters which are really close to reality. The description of the setting and characters is really amazing. Yet the language used by Desai is simple and enjoyable for the reader.

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