Abdul Mejid (explorer)

The area has extremely difficult terrain and was known at the time for its violent hostility to outsiders,[10] including Britain's disastrous retreat from Kabul during the First Anglo-Afghan War and the subsequent execution of the British agents Charles Stoddart and Arthur Conolly by the emir of Bukhara Muhammad Nasrullah Bahadur.

[11] On 28 September 1860, Abdul Mejid was dispatched from Peshawar as a pundit by the division commissioner Hugh Rees James[7] (1823–1864) and the governor-general of India, Earl Canning.

[2] Provided with an official letter and gifts including music boxes, watches, and rifles, his mission was to journey to Kokand, establish contact and confirm Britain's friendship with its khan Muhammad Malla Beg, and assess the level of Russian influence and presence in the khanate.

[16] Muhammad Malla Beg being absent on a western raid of Oratepa (now Istaravshan), Abdul Mejid was entertained by local nobles until the khan's return on 7 January 1861.

[21] He reached Kabul on 6 June and Peshawar on the 26th, relating his journey to James, who praised his clarity, sobriety, bravery, and utility and recommended a substantial payment be arranged for his troubles.

Abdul Mejid's route across the Hindu Kush , Pamir , Transalai , and Alai Mountains (dotted line), alongside those of other early explorers in the region.