AHI 23 — The Amir watching the final match

|AHI 23-1| Final match of the Agra Polo Tournament. Amir Habibullah Khan is sitting on top of the central stairs of the grandstand in between the Viceroy (with white topee) and Lady Minto. Colonel Sir Henry McMahon stands behind the armchair of Lady Minto. Strangely, there is not a single Afghan Sardar with the Amir, who had been up to 3 p.m. with Lord Kitchener at a combined artillery and cavalry display. He only turned up for the last few minutes of the polo game.

|AHI 23-2| Enlargement with Colonel McMahon, Lady Minto, Amir Habibullah Khan and the Viceroy Lord Minto

|AHI 23-3| Amir Habibullah Khan, the courteous ‚Afghan barbarian‘ (see references)

|AHI 23-1|

Final match of the Agra Polo Tournament. Amir Habibullah Khan is sitting on top of the central stairs of the grandstand in between the Viceroy (with white topee) and Lady Minto. Colonel Sir Henry McMahon stands behind the armchair of Lady Minto. Strangely, there is not a single Afghan Sardar with the Amir, who had been up to 3 p.m. with Lord Kitchener at a combined artillery and cavalry display. He only turned up for the last few minutes of the polo game.

Diary of Colonel Sir Henry McMahon (1907), p. 33: “It was nearly 3 by the time we got back, and as the Amir had promised to attend the final match of the Agra Polo Tournament, I had some difficulty in getting him started again in time. As it was, we only turned up for the last few minutes of the game.”
Diary of Lady Mary Minto (1907): “Monday, 14th. In the afternoon the final of the polo tournament took place, won by the 15th Hussars who were presented by me with the Viceroy’s magnificent cup. We sat in a raised stand, and seeing a young officer in the crowd, who shall be nameless, I sent an A.D.C. to ask him to come and speak to me. He came, and hardly touched his cap as he sat down beside me, puffing a newly-lighted cigarette in my face. A few minutes afterwards the Amir arrived and occupied the same seat. When cigarettes were handed to him; he took one but did not light it. “Won’t Your Majesty smoke?” I asked. “No,” was his answer, “I smoke when I live you.” I couldn’t help comparing the manners of the 20th century young English officer, with those of an Afghan barbarian who was never before mixed in civilised society, and I felt ashamed for my country, as our manners undoubtedly compare unfavourably with those of other nations.”

Image No.

AHI 23

Collection

The Visit of Amir Habibullah Khan in India, 1907

Series

AHI 01-24, Amir Habibullah in Agra

Format

Sepia print, 215/297 mm

Quality

excellent

Place, date

Agra, Monday, January 14, 1907