The social status of slaves in Nuristan before the arrival of Islam based on the travelogue ofGeorge Scott Robertson

Nuristan is a province located in the northeast of Afghanistan, which is known as Bilour/Bilouristan in Islamic sources of the Middle Ages and as Kāfiristān among Muslims. The people of Nuristan were divided into several social classes, the lowest class of which were slaves. Slaves played an important role in the daily work and life of Nuristan people. Slaves were responsible for important jobs such as carpentry, blacksmithing, wood carving, making clothes, shoe making and leather making. In the meantime, carpentry and blacksmithing had a special place in the daily life of Nuristan people, because the agricultural tools and weapons that people needed were prepared by slaves. Slave women and girls were also used to work in houses, raising children and farming. Based on George Scott Robertson's travelogue, this research has investigated the social status and daily life of slaves in old Nuristan.