Jesus In India — Page 165
APPENDIX The Afghans Proper-the Bani Israíl, as they call themselves in special distinction to all other divisions of the nation-class themselves as the descendants of Saraban through his two sons, Sharjyún and Khrishyún. Page 24. By Muhammadans of Asia Minor and the Western countries the Afghan is usually called Sulemáni. 155 EXTRACT 13 The Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, by Surgeon General Edward Balfour, vol. I, Third Edition (Bernard Quaritch, London 1885) page 31 (under the heading Afghanistan): Pukhtun is the national appellation of the Afghans proper; but Afghans and Pathans also designate themselves Ban-i-Israel, and some claim direct descent from Saul, king of Israel. Pukhtun is the individual, and Pukhtana the collective name of the Afghans. This word is described as of Hebrew (Ibrani) origin, though some of them say it has a Syrian (Suriani) source, and signifies delivered, set free. The term Afghan is also said to have the same signification. One tra- dition is that the mother of Afghan or Afghana, on his being born exclaimed, 'Afghana, 'I am free, and gave him this name; another tradition is that in the pangs of labour she exclaimed. 'Afghan, Afghan,' or 'Fighan, Fighan, words which in the Persian mean woe! grief! alas! Afghan