Deliverance from the Cross — Page 136
They preserved the purity of their religion until they embraced Islam. 4 in From various conversations with Afghana Khorassaun, I learnt that some of them are proud of an origin from the children of Israel. 5 I obtained a passport from the king after this most interesting sojourn and then crossed the Oxus and arrived after a few days at Balkh and from that city where I also communed with the dispersed of Israel, I proceeded to Muzaur. Some Afghans claimed a descent from Israel. According to them, Afghana was the nephew of Asaph, the son of Berachia, who built the temple of Solomon. The descendants of this Affghaun being Jews, were carried into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, from whence they were removed to the mountains of Ghoree in Afghanistan, but in the time of Muhammad turned Muhammedans. 6 Hence I passed to Peshawar. Here I had also the singular book read to me of the origin of the Affghan, the Pushto Book Affghan Iehann Loote. The account in this book agrees with that given in the MSS, Teemur Nameh and Ketaub Ansbee Muhakkek Toose. I 4 Historical and descriptive account of Persia and Afghanistan by James B. Frazer, p. 298; New York, 1843. 5 Narratives of a Mission to Bokhara in the years 1843-1845, in two volumes, by Rev. Joseph Wolff, D. D. , LL. D. Published by John W. Parker, West Strand, London, 1845. Vol. 1, p. 9. 6 ibid, p. 16 136