Title of the late Amir of Afghanistan.

HC Deb 30 May 1905 vol 147 cc224-5

COLONEL LEGGE (St. George's, Hanover Square

To ask the Secretary of State for India when the late Amir of Afghanistan used the title of king whether it was recognised by the Government of India; and whether it appears in any official documents previous to the Treaty of the 21st of March, 1905.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The late Amir appears to have first used the title of king in his communications with the Government of India in 1896. His adoption of the title did not need the recognition of the Government of India, which recognises the independence of Afghanistan; and, as stated in my Answer to the hon. Member of the 26th May,† it was not questioned. The letter of 1896 to the Governor-General, using the title, was an official document.