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90 able to wrest Afghanistan from foreign hands, but was also able to carry his successful arms into foreign lands and cast down the proud Marhattas, who were dreaming of an Indian Empire. The change which he wrought in the fortunes of his country in the course of these few years was little short of miraculous. He succeeded admirably in bringing the contending Afghan tribes closer to one another and welding them together into a strong nation. He had full confidence in himself and inspired his people with the same spirit. He may safely be called the creator of modern Afghanistan and the father of the nation. Ahmad Shah was also a man of literary taste. He was a poet, composing verses in Pashto as well as Persian. These poems, like those of Khush-Hal Khan Khattak, are all imbued with the noblest of patriotic sentiments. In one of them he says : I forget the throne of Delhi, The moment I remember the sublime summits of my native mountains. Ahmad Shah will never forget thee Even if he were to conquer the whole world.