Page 27

xiv Even the expenditure of this huge sum could not make the Afghans give up their struggle. In 1667, the Yusufzais took up arms against him, and under the leadership of Bhagu, who had assumed kingship, crossed the river Indus above Attock. They were soon followed by other bands, who spread over Peshawar and the adjacent districts. In 1672, the Afridees came to the forefront. They rose under their leader, Akmal Khan, a born general, who crowned himself king, struck coins in his own name and proclaimed a Jehad (religious war) against the Mughals. He invited all the Afghan tribes to join this national movement and the war of liberation. Thousands came to his help. Closing the Khyber Pass, they attacked the Mughal garrison at Ali Masjid. Mohammed Amin Khan, son of Mir Jumla, the Mughal governor of Kabul, went out with all forces at his command, to rescue the garrison. The result was the oft repeated tale of disaster of the Mughal forces. Ten thousand were killed in the battle and more than two crores (20,000,000) of rupees fell into the hands of victors. They also captured twenty thousand men and women. Even the wife of Mohammed Amin was among