’I, General Roberts, on behalf of the British Government, hereby proclaim that the Amir, having by his own free will abdicated, has left Afghanistan without a Government.  In consequence of the shameful outrage upon its Envoy and suite, the British Government has been compelled to occupy by force of arms Kabul, the capital, and to take military possession of other parts of Afghanistan.

    ’The British Government now commands that all Afghan authorities,
    Chiefs, and Sirdars do continue their functions in maintaining
    order, referring to me whenever necessary.

    ’The British Government desire that the people shall be treated
    with justice and benevolence, and that their religious feelings
    and customs be respected.

’The services of such Sirdars and Chiefs as assist in preserving order will be duly recognized, but all disturbers of the peace and persons concerned in attacks upon the British authority will meet with condign punishment.

’The British Government, after consultation with the principal Sirdars, tribal Chiefs, and others representing the interests and wishes of the various provinces and cities, will declare its will as to the future permanent arrangements to be made for the good government of the people.’

This manifesto was issued on the 28th October, and the same day I informed Yakub Khan that his abdication had been accepted, and acquainted him with the orders passed by the British Government in connexion with this fact.[5]

Yakub Khan showed no interest either in the Proclamation, a Persian translation of which was read to him, or the Government’s decision as to himself, and made no comment beyond a formal ‘bisyar khub’ (’very good’) and an inclination of the head.

I then told Yakub Khan that, as I was now charged with the government of the country, it was necessary that I should take possession of the treasury and all moneys therein.  He signified his assent, but demurred to certain sums being considered as public property, contending that they formed part of his father’s wealth, and that the British Government might as well take from him his choga,[6] this also having come from the pockets of the people.  ’My father was Padishah,’ he said; ’there was no distinction between public and private money.  However,’ he went on, ’I have given up the crown, and I am not going to dispute about rupees.  You may take all I have, down to my clothes; but the money was my father’s, and is mine by right.’

I replied that it was necessary that all money in his possession should be given up, but that his private effects should not be touched; that he would be given a receipt for the money, and that, if the Government of India decided it to be his personal property, it should be returned to him.

This Yakub Khan at first declined to accept, with some show of temper.  Eventually he came round, and said, ’Yes, give me a receipt, so that no one may say hereafter that I carried off State money to which I had no right.  It can be easily made sure that I have no money when I go.’[7]