This obscure and
undisturbed retreat was the residence of a priest of great age and of
peculiar holiness, known to fame as the Hadda Mullah. His name is Najb-
ud-din, but as respect has prevented it being mentioned by the tribesmen
for nearly fifty years, it is only preserved in infidel memories and
records. The Government of India have, however, had this man's
personality brought vividly before them on several occasions. About
thirteen years ago he quarrelled with the Amir and raised the Mohmands
against him. The Amir replied by summoning his rebellious subject--for
Hadda, the Mullah's home and birthplace, is a village of Afghanistan--to
answer for his conduct at Cabul. But the crafty priest, who was well
acquainted with Afghan legal procedure, declined the invitation, and
retired to the independent Mohmand territory, where he has lived ever
since.
Content with thus inflicting the punishment of exile, the Amir was
disposed to forget the offence. In a letter to his Commander-in-Chief,
the "Sipah Salar," a great friend of the Mullah, he described him as a
"light of Islam.
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