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V China, India as well as from far off western countries would come to Balkh to exchange their commodities. Balkh was then not only the entrepot of world merchandise but of ideas and culture as well. The discovery of sea-route to India around the Cape of Good Hope towards the close of the 15th century was indeed a deathblow to Afghan trade. The inflow of ideas as well as of wealth took a different turn. Poverty, ignorance and superstition crept into society. Feudalism and anarchy became the rule of the day. People, finding their lives and property in danger, could hardly devote their time to education or the pursuit of fine art. The country gradually lost its independence and became the bone of contention between two powerful neighbouring Empires—the Mughals of India and the Saffavids of Persia. The Mughals, who had destroyed the Afghan rule in India in 1526, were making every effort to reconcile the Afghans to their rule, and to make them forget their glorious past. Great care was taken in the appointment of Viceroys at Kabul. The tribes were practically left free to look after their own domestic affairs. They were regularly