A Personal Narrative of a Visit to Ghuzni, Kabul, and Afghanistan, and of a Residence at the Court of Dost Mohamed

Published in 1840, this is an important early description of travels in Afghanistan. Leaving behind a career at the Bar and a talent for first-class cricket, Godfrey Thomas Vigne (1801–63) turned to travel and spent seven years (1832–9) in the north-west of the Indian subcontinent. His Personal Narrative is a compelling account of local life, scenery and customs, enhanced by his own accomplished drawings. Perhaps the first Englishman to reach Kabul, he had several interviews with the emir, Dost Mohammad Khan (1793–1863). Vigne's account, with its insights into the resources and influential people in the region, was read keenly by players of the Great Game, as Russia and Britain vied for influence in this remote yet strategically significant area.