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—158— each one of which requires a separate chapter to itself. It is strange, too, that this tragedy shows the valour and the Afghan spirit on both sides, but most unfortunately, that very unhappy trait of discord which had time and again hindered the happiness and had distressed our country is singularly manifested in this as in others. During this tragic encirclement of the town of Herat, the Sirdar and his wife died within a short time of each other, and the city surrendered: It should be recorded that two weeks after this the Amir too, died, and thus the curtain falls upon this tragedy. * * * TEN MONTHS SIEGE OF HERAT. Amir Dost Mohamed Khan versus Sirdar Sultan Ahmed Khan. ARTICLE FORTY FIRST The last year of the life and reign of Amir Dost Mohamed Khan was practically spent in laying a siege of Herat ( 1278. A. H. ). This was a battle which had all the appearance of an internecine war, but as the fate of Herat depended upon it, both the king and the people of Herat were determined that this tussle must take place, and the fight must con- tinue to the end. Sirdar Sultan Ahmed, too, did not show the slightest inclination to weaken, and continued to defend the city gallantly, so that the Sirdar did not surrender [margin: may 1863] till he died, and the king did not die till he did not capture the city. In his old age, the national urge came upon the king, and in his failing health and physical dis- abilities he persevered to reduce Herat and was successful, ( or was it death that solved the question ?) * * * There is little doubt that it was Sirdar Sultan Ahmed Khan, the son of Sirdar Mohamed Azeem Khan, who put in a great deal of effort to expel the aggressors from the realm, and towards his later, years was a claimer to the throne. But when that feeling did and not translate itself into reality, ( through the