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160 Lytton, therefore, deemed it advisable to break up the country into small principalities governed by British puppets. Kandahar was promised to Vali Sher Ali, a Barakzai of Kandahar. No special arrangements were necessary for Herat, where Ayoub Khan, full brother of Yakoub Khan, still maintained himself in power. It was decided to retain Kabul under direct British administration. Opportunely, there now appeared upon the scene the strong man so badly needed. It was a grandson of Dost Mohammad, Abdur Rahman. Since 1868, he had lived in banishment beyond the Oxus, under Russian protection. He no sooner reappeared than the patriots rallied around him. At this time Lord Lytton resigned his office and the Conservative Government suffered a severe defeat in the general elections. Gladstone succeeded Lord Beaconsfield as Prime Minister and Lord Ripon was sent out as Viceroy to bring about a peaceful settlement of the Afghan question. Abdur Rahman Khan was finally recognized as Amir of Kabul and Great Britain bound herself not to require the admission of an English Resident anywhere in Afghanistan. Abdur Rahman succeeded to a much reduced kingdom. Herat was under the control of Ayoub Khan, while Kandahar was ruled by Vali Sher Ali, a British puppet. The Battle of Maiwand: Ayoub Khan, declaring a religious war, came out of Herat with the intention of driving the British out of Afghanistan. At Maiwand, on the 27th of July, 1880, he met and defeated a British force led by General Burrows, which had been sent to check his advance. This was as the Britith themselves have admitted, "One of the most notable victories ever gained by oriental troops in conflict with a European army". The British had 914 men killed and were driven back in full retreat.