Wakhan Quadrangle

The Wakhan Quadrangle' became an arena of colonial competition when four powers ? Afghanistan, China, Great Britain and Russia ? struggled for dominance in a remote mountain region where only scattered communities lived in a challenging environment ? called the ?Great Game?.0Prior to this, various international travellers had been sent out, commissioned to record routes, military details and strategic information for the respective parties in the contest. Among the explorers were so-called indigenous intermediaries who were trained in measuring geodetic parameters and who noted down their observations about the customs, culture and economy of the people. They were expected to be knowledgeable in terms of linguistic skills and cultural practices and were less likely than their colonial masters to arouse suspicion. 0Munshi Abdul Rahim was an explorer who was sent to Wakhan and Badakhshan in 1879?1880 by the first British Political Agent in Gilgit. His report, reprinted in facsimile, is the centerpiece of this book.

Year

2017

Language

English

Publisher

Harrassowitz Verlag

Editions

1

Pages

282

ISBN

9783447108126

Data source: Wikidata