Amer Mahomed Yakoob Khan, Ruler of Afghanistan, from the Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers series (N189) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

This lithograph of Amer Mahomed Yakoob Khan, ruler of Afghanistan, was created by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of the series "Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers". Produced as a collectible insert for tobacco products, the card reflects the complex dynamics of 19th-century imperialism and cultural stereotypes. Kimball’s choice of title is revealing; the series reflects Western views of non-Western leaders, marked by a colonial gaze. This gaze exoticizes and others Khan, reinforcing power dynamics of the time. Consider how the emotional impact of seeing such an image might affect perceptions of Afghan leadership and culture. By understanding the historical context and the biases inherent in such representations, we can begin to question the narratives that shape our understanding of different cultures and identities.