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— 27 — BATTLES BETWEEN SHAH MAHMUD & SHAHSHUJA. EIGHT ARTICLE Shah Mahmud one day capturing Zaman Shah has had the king's eyes taken out, and thus blinding him, he has had him flung in dungeon at Bala hisar. Only a brief four years had to pass when in that very Bala Hisar, Shahshuja, has had Shah Mahmud incarcerated and released his blinded brother. During these four years, a series of battles were fought between Shah Mahmud and Shahshuja, which are known as the battles of Basul, Ishpan, Kczak, Arghistan, Kala Kazi, and Bala Hisar. Quite naturally in these battles some times one and other party was successful. Atlast Shahshuja arriving at Kabul from the southern regions of the country, took the capital; and the reign of Shah Mahmud was terminated. When the unfortunate king Zaman Shah was captured and was blinded and was imprisoned at Bala Hisar: Shah Mahmud sat on the throne of Afghanistan (1216 A.H. or 1217. A.H. ) At that time the influence and the extent of the Durrani empire was fairly large; from Ghoryan upto Kashmire, up to Attack and Bluchistan and Dera Jat, all points populated by the Afghan race of Koh Sulaiman, Koh Siah, the territories of Peshawar and the fertile areas of Kashmire and the fort of Attaock was under the sway of the king of Kabul. Only in the Punjab Ranjit Singh, incited by the English had proclaimed nis independence; but a protreacted time was needed to find out finally as to who was to be the ultimate master of the Punjab area. Unfortunately as much of the difficulties in Afghanistan have risen from times, due to the personal animosity of the Sardars and relatives and the princes of the king; the fact of Zaman Shah's having been made blind, had rankled in the kind of Shahshuja that what ever way that may be possible Mahmud must pay for his act; and attacks upon Mahmud, were, therefore, continued.