afghanistanK a b u l ’s mashin khana, government ministries and the Amir’s resi dencies,
while the Qargha Dam between Kabul and Paghman was intended to
provide potable, piped water for the capital. Telegraphic links were estab-
lished between the Amir’s residences and government offices and between
Kabul, Jalalabad, Paghman and the king’s mountain retreat in Laghman.
However, the Amir continued to refuse to link Kabul into the Indian
telegraphic network. The Viceroy had gifted the Amir two Rolls-Royce
cars, so new roads and iron bridges were constructed to allow Habib Allah
Amir Habib Allah
Khan in formal dress.
During his reign civil
servants and courtiers
were required to wear
European clothes, a
policy which was not
popular, especially
with conservative
Muslims.