Kafiristan, a mountainous region of Asia, lying between the Kabul River on the south and the Hindu Kush on the north-west; its eastern and western boundaries are formed by the Chitral and Panjshir rivers respectively, feeders of the Kabul. Area, about 5000 sq. m. This region of wild, narrow, winding glens and impassable mountains (11,000 to 17,000 feet) has been for centuries the last stronghold of primitive Aryan heathenism against the encroachments of Islam. It is on this account that the inhabitants are called by their Mohammedan neighbours Kaffirs—i.e. 'unbelievers,' and their country Kafiristan. These people, about 200,000 in all, although speaking different dialects, are ethnically of one race. But they do not form a political unity; the tribes into which they are divided are often at war with one another. The only points of union between them politically are their hatred of the Mohammedans and their passionate love of independence. This they have successfully maintained at different times against such great conquerors as Mahmud of Ghazni, Timur, and Baber. The mountaineers are fair in complexion, the women often handsome. Contrary to the custom of orientals, they do not sit cross-legged on the ground, but sit on stools; and they shake hands like Englishmen. Their dress is made of goat-skin and goat's hair. They are fond of wine and dancing. Cultivable soil exists only in small patches alongside the torrents; consequently the people follow chiefly pastoral pursuits. Since 1893-95 Kafiristan is recognised by Britain as under Afghan control, and it is now garrisoned by the Amir's troops.
See Leitner's Kafiristan (Lahore, 1881); Tanner in Proc. R. G. S. (1881); M'Nair in same (1884); Biddulph, Tribes of the Hindu Kush (1880); Sir G. Robertson, The Kaffirs of the Hindu Kush (1896).