The Lessons of Abu Tabela

Paolo di Avitabile (Oct. 25, 1791—March 28, 1850)

By Lucian 

Paolo di Avitabile was born in Agerola, near Amalfi. He was a Neapolitan soldier who reached the rank of Lieutenant and was recommended for promotion and decoration by General Delaver after displaying great courage and being wounded twice during the siege of Gaeta. Unfortunately, in his case, the General was ignored and Avitabile was instead transferred to a light infantry division under the same rank. He resigned in disgust at his treatment, but went on to become a successful mercenary in the east, and eventually became the governor of Wazirabad and then Peshawar. He was also a scholar and engineer, and worked closely with Lehna Singh Majithia, the renowned Sikh engineer. After his adventurous career he returned with his fortune to his homeland in Naples, where he married a local girl but then died under suspicious circumstances.

Although Avitabile was interesting and successful, you may be wondering why he is special enough to be remembered as a significant figure in Southern Italian history, especially since he became a mercenary and political figure outside of his European homeland. The answer is because Paolo di Avitabile was also known as the legendary figure Abu Tabela.

After seven years as an efficient governor of Wazirabad, the former mercenary was appointed governor of Peshawar, a predominantly Muslim Afghan province which the Sikhs had great difficulty governing. It was here that, in a corruption of his name, he became known as Abu Tabela. His leadership in Wazirabad was described as firm and just, but his rule of Peshawar as so brutal it was shocking to many Europeans, as is evidenced by the following quote by Sir Henry Lawrence: “he acts like a savage among savage men, instead of showing them that a Christian can wield the iron sceptre without staining it by needless cruelty.” So sure were men like Lawrence of their own cultural superiority that they failed to understand that the inhabitants of Peshawar were not Christian, they were not motivated by the same things and did not react in the same ways.

Unlike the squeamish Sir Lawrence, many average inhabitants of Peshawar were happy with the way Governor Avitabile maintained order and he was very popular among them. This is a clear example of how Europeans at the time had as little understanding of these people as most Westerners do today. We either mimic cultures that we do not fully understand, or attempt to force our culture onto those who consistently reject it. I am not attracted to Islam and feel no need to appease its adherents or adopt their ways, but neither do I feel the need to mold them into replicas of myself. Our leaders do not seem to be able to control Muslim regions, perhaps this is because they insist on believing that the people in them think as we do, even when it is obvious that they do not. We should not have to alter a thousand year old culture to fit our business model, or force our version of morality on them in their own homelands. The current approach of Western governments has never worked well in these places, and is a waste of time and resources. Conversely, Abu Tabela was successful because he understood his subjects, and in return, the Muslims had no trouble understanding him.

Avitabile's tomb in
S. Martino di Campora

I admire Avitabile because, even though he worked for both the Persian Shah and the Maharajah, he never betrayed Europe. In Peshawar, Avitabile controlled the southern entrance to the Khyber Pass, where he rendered vital assistance to British forces twice during the First Anglo-Afghan War, first in 1839 and again in 1842. He personally advanced large sums of money to the British campaign treasury to help pay their soldiers in addition to providing supplies and transportation.

Avitabile wasn’t appreciated when he was a soldier in Europe, but he did not forget his roots, and helped Europe when he could. The suspicious circumstances of his death are sad; as they also bring the possibility that he was not appreciated upon his return to Europe either. The legal battles over his inheritance and many claims by distant relatives made the term “Avitablile’s cousin” a popular saying in Campania. It is a pity that indifference and greed can get in the way of our admiration for people of honor and loyalty such as Paolo di Avitabile.

  

His rule of Peshawar carved a place for him in local folklore. Even today parents in the region control unruly children by invoking Abu Tabela's name. During times of high crime and violence, honest citizens of the city make wishes for Abu Tabela’s return to reestablish law and order. I understand how they feel; I miss him too.