Jesus In India — Page 143
CHAPTER FOUR 133 doubt due to the fact that the Afghans have become Muslims. (However, this contention of the translator Bernard Dorn is not sustained by evidence. In north western and western Punjab, there are tribes of Hindu origin who have become Muslims but whose names are not after the names of the Jewish people, which clearly shows that by becoming Muslim people do not necessarily adopt Jewish names. ) That in features the Afghans have a surprising resemblance to the Jews, is a fact which is admitted even by such scholars as do not at all subscribe to the Afghan claim that they are of Jewish origin. This is the only proof strong enough to establish that the Afghan are of Jewish origin. Sir John Malcolm's remarks in this connection are as follows: Although the Afghans' right to this proud (Jewish) descent is very doubtful, it is evident from their personal appearance and many of their customs that they (the Afghans) are a distinct race from the Persians, Tartars and Indians and this alone seems to give some credibility to the Afghan claim which is otherwise contradicted by many strong facts, and of which no direct proof has been produced. If similarity of features between one people and another can point to anything, the Kashmiris with their Jewish features would certainly be found to be of Jewish origin. This has been mentioned not only by Bernier but also by Forster, and possibly by other scholars. . . . Although Forster does not accept Bernier's opinion,