Return of a King: The Battle For Afghanistan (100 page)

Shah Shuja, grandson of Ahmad Shah Abdali and the head of the Sadozai clan, ruled the remains of his grandfather’s empire from
1803
: ‘Our intention,’ he wrote, ‘was that from the moment of mounting the throne, we would so rule our subjects with justice and mercy, that they should live in happiness within the shade of our protecting wings.’ Within six years he had been defeated by his Barakzai enemies and had had to flee into exile in India.

Dost Mohammad was his father’s eighteenth son by a low-status wife. His rise to power was brought about by his own ruthlessness, efficiency and cunning. Dost Mohammad slowly increased his hold on power, until in
1835
he declared a jihad against the Sikhs and had himself formally anointed as Amir.

Akbar Khan, the most intelligent and effective of the sons of Dost Mohammad.

A family from Kafirstan (left); a Kharoti Ghilzai (right).

Pashtun horse traders

Three courtly Afghan horsemen, as drawn by the artists of the Elphinstone Mission in 1809. ‘The Chaous Baushee in his dress of office’

‘A Dooraunee Gentleman’

‘The Umla Baushi in his dress of office’

Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler and great enemy of Dost Mohammad who created a powerful kingdom in the Punjab.