# In a Land Far from Home

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/syed-mujtaba-ali/in-a-land-far-from-home/9781399802512

![In a Land Far from Home](https://quivercdn.com/covers/john-murray/syed-mujtaba-ali/in-a-land-far-from-home_978-13-9980-251-2.jpg?v=2026-05-09%2001%3A17%3A45)

- Book: [In a Land Far from Home](https://www.bookquiver.com/syed-mujtaba-ali/in-a-land-far-from-home) ([In a Land Far from Home.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/syed-mujtaba-ali/in-a-land-far-from-home.md))
- Authors: [Syed Mujtaba Ali](https://www.bookquiver.com/syed-mujtaba-ali)
- Publisher: john_murray
- Medium: ebook
- ISBN: 978-13-9980-251-2
- Published: 2022-07-07
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: E-book

## Description

WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY TARAN KHAN, author of Shadow City TRANSLATED FROM BENGALI BY NAZES AFROZ An intrepid traveller and true cosmopolitan, legendary Bengali writer Syed Mujtaba Ali spent a year and a half teaching in Kabul from 1927 to 1929. Curious to explore Afghan society, Mujtaba Ali had access to a cross-section of Kabul's population, and in In a Land Far from Home he chronicles his experiences with a keen eye and a wicked sense of humour. Mujtaba Ali's travels coincided with a critical point in Afghanistan's history: when the reformist King Amanullah tried to steer his country towards modernity by encouraging education for girls and giving them the choice of removing the burqa. Branded a 'kafir', Amanullah was overthrown by the bandit leader Bacha-e-Saqao. With striking parallels to twenty-first century events in the region, In a Land Far From Home is the only first-hand account of this tumultuous period by a non-Afghan. Providing a unique perspective, Mujtaba Ali's fascinating account is brought to life by contact with a colourful cast of characters at all levels of society -- from the garrulous Pathan Dost Muhammed and the gentle Russian giant Bolshov, to his servant, Abdur Rahman and his partner in tennis, the Crown Prince Enayatullah.