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influence of Sirdar Mohamed Akbar Khan, which made him
show a spirit of co-operation and contentment for what he was being
offered as a reward for his services,) but upon Amir Dost Mohamed
Khan's accession to the throne, and due to the conflict with
the Amir's foreign policy, a difference of opinion on foreign
policy arose between the two. According to the agreement
which he had made with the English at Kandahar, that he will
not interfer with the Indian affairs, also in regards to the Herat
question, too, the Amir hesitated till the last, inorder to know the
inclination of the English. In as much as Sirdar Sultan Ahmed
Khan was the avowed enemy of the English and their imperialist
designs in the east, he was, therefore, unable to fall in with the
views of the Amir, for the Amir was bound by engagements with
the English. At last he left Afghan territory due to personal antago-
nism, and went to Tehran. In order to rival Amir Dost Mohamed
Khan and to oppose the English wherever he could find them,
he accepted the governorship of Herat as liege to the Persians.
It was this decision that made the uncle and the nephew, the
father-in-law and the son-in-law oppose each other from behind
the walls of Herat, and to fight out the issue till they died.
Amir Dost Mohamed Khan moved from Kabul together with
several Sirdars and leaders towards Herat on 8th. Shawal 1277.
A. H. The advance party was sent under Sirdar Shair Ali Khan
and Sidars Mohamed Amin Khan and Sirdar Mohamed Sharif
Khan-Dost Mohamed Khan's sons who on the way took the city
of Farah from Mir Afzal Khan, an appointee of Sirdar
Sultan Ahmed Khan. The Amir at the head of his own army
joined the advance party. The combined forces after breaf
engagements against Sirdar Sultan Ahmed Khan's son Shahnawaz
Khan at Subzawar and the environs of the city, surrounded the
city of Herat. Thus the city of Herat was beseiged on the 10th of
Safar 1278. A. H. ( August 1861. A. D. ) For five days the beseiging
army dug up trenches around the city, and frequent night raids,
tunnelling and sundry engagements continued for six months.
Sirdar Sultan Ahmed Khan, during the difficult days of
siege wrote a letter to Nasiruddin Qajjar seeking help, but the
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