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124
now released from confinement and restored to
his family (1803).
Shujaul Mulk (1803 to 1809).—The new King,
though young and energetic, had not the ability of
restoring order in a country torn by internal dis-
sensions and anarchy for more than a decade. The
Chiefs all over the country had become powerful
and unruly, and the outlying provinces were trying
to assert their independence. These internecine
wars had nearly sapped the resources of the
country. Shuja's first act on ascending the throne
was to raise funds to equip an army as well as to
gratify those who had helped him in gaining the
throne. The exhausted resources of the country
could hardly meet these demands. The Shah was,
therefore, obliged to give large portions of his
revenue in grants to the Sardars, who became all
the more powerful. Mukhtarud-daula was appoint-
ed Vazier, though the Shah could hardly trust his
loyalty. Lack of trust between the Shah and the
Vazier further deteriorated the situation. The
slightest provocation from the Court would drive
a noble into open rebellion.
Shah Shuja, after raising funds and equipping
an army, marched on Kandahar, held by Prince
Roughly two thirds of characters agree with a modern printed edition of the same text. Much of the disagreement is editorial, not misreading. Treat the transcription as a finding aid and read the page image before quoting. How this was measured.