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over the matter gave orders that Herat should be attacked by guns
and a body of English troops, and as a first step, the insurrection of
Akhtar Khan, whose territory was nearest to Kandahar should be squash-
ed. Taking this plan in view, Rawlinson, the English Political Agent
at Kandahar, wrote to Russell in Sindh, and to the commander of
English forces, so that whatever troops were available at Sindh
should be sent to Kandahar, so that an expedition may be launched
towards the region of Dawar, Herat and various other points in the
western area. But Macnaughton and Lord Auckland were divided in
their opinion in regards to an expedition to Herat. Macnaughton wanted
that the region of Heri Rud should be brought under the rule of Shah-
shuja atonce, whereas Lord Auckland held that first of all the English
troops should assume strength and mastery in the whole of Afghanistan
after which the Herat question should be considered. Lord Auckland
indeed, was not even a supporter of fighting for Herat, but thought to
solve the problem through sending envoys to Herat.
It would be seen, therefore, that whereas the higher officials
in Calcutta were opposed to any military expedition against Herat,
Rawlinson had the intention of launching out against Vazir Yar
Mohamed Khan, so that from Kandahar measures may be
taken to invade the Dawar territoy, Herat and western areas
and to encompass it. In any case an expedition against Akhtar
Khan was very positively in Rawlinson's mind. It was atlast
resolved that Rawlinson's assistant, named Elliot, should proceed
towards Dawar. The purpose of this journey of Elliot was not
to fight or to precipitate any sort of struggle, but by some means
to conciliate Akhtar Khan. Elliot met Akhtar Khan, and the leader
of Dawar was pacified through receiving some advantages from
the English.
This "pacification" had but a superficial aspect as far as
Akhtar Khan was concerned, and Rawlinson, the English
political Agent, likewise was treating the matter in the same
light on his part, thinking that the patch-work of cordiality was very
temporary. In actual practice the result was seen, for the Ghil-
zais raised a standard of revolt against the English, and when
the English forces now paid closer attention towards the
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