Upper Paghman gardens.  Afghan man, hunkering.



Tomb of Nadir Shah.  Sardar Mohammed Nadir Khan was elected king of Afghanistan in 1929. 
During his reign, new schools (literary academy, military college and medical college) were
established.  In 1930 a constitution was introduced, providing for a bicameral legislature. 
Nadir was murdered in 1933.   He was succeeded by his only surviving son, Mohammed
 Zahir.  Zahir Shah was king of Afghanistan until 1973, when his cousin, Mohammed
Daoud Khan, former Prime Minister, staged a coup d'etat while Zahir Shah was in
Italy for medical reasons.  Zahir Shah subsequently went into exile in Rome.



Cushions and mattresses were packed with wool to provide softness and bulk.  With time, this would
 become compressed.  What to do?  Why, fluff it back up, of course.  A bow designed for this
purpose served admirably.  Domicile in Kabul.



Servants assisted in the process.  From left to right:  Jomah, nephew of cook; Akim, baccha;
wool fluffer; Samad, cook; Tina, pet Afghan hound.



Jomah.  His name meant "Friday," which was the day of rest and worship for Muslims.



Jomah's aunt (wife of his uncle, Samad) and Jomah.  Both Hazaras.



Kabul rug merchant.  Carpets were woven to an average tightness of about 500 (more or less)
 knots/square inch.  Not as tight as some of the best Iranian carpets, which exceedeed 600
knots/sq. in., but tighter than those made in Pakistan.  Made of wool, the fibers were dyed
 with fruit and vegetable colors.  For instance, the deep red common to most Afghan carpets
came from pomegranate juice.  Patterns were geometric.  We were told that each carpet
 has a deliberate flaw, because 'only Allah is perfect.' 



Carpets between street and shops, being stretched.  Kabul.  Carpets were frequently aged by
merchants by placing them in the street for traffic to pass over, the reason being that older
 carpets often fetched higher prices.




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