Historical Notes by Munshi Mohammad Azim(2)

Historical Notes by Munshi Mohammad Azim, arranged chronologically(2)

Nader Afshar in Herat (1134 AH/1721-1722 CE)

Nader seized Herat in 1134 and moved sixty thousand families from Herat, sending them to Asfzar and Farah.

Ascension of Nader Shah (1148 AH/1735-1736 CE)

 Nader   Shah ascended to the throne in 1148, when he was in the desert of Mughan, on the way to Mazandaran, near to the castle of Awlad (mentioned in Shahnama). 

Murder of Nader Shah (1160AH/1747 CE)

In 1160 Nader Shah was murdered at the Fathabad lodging place at  Khabooshan.  He was shot in the forest by a Taimani slave.

Death of Ahmad Shah Durrani (1185 AH/1771-1772 CE)

After Nader Shah, Ahmad Shah Afghan became the King of Afghanistan and parts of India. He died in 1185, having reigned for 25 years.

(In another place)Timor Shah

After Ahmad Shah, his son, Timor Shah became king of Afghanistan and parts of India, and reigned for 47 years. He died in Sh’ban of 1232,  ( Timor died in 1207/1793 CE, so his reign spanned  22 years)  

Death of Karim Khan Zand (1193 AH/ 1779 CE)

Karim Khan Zand, died in 1193.  Zand is A Clan of Kurdish tribe (Zand is not Kurdish but a branch of Lor tribes) and [Karim Khan’s family] were shepherds, who inhabited Malayer and rose in the social ranks until they attained the sovereignty. He and his children and cousins reigned in Iran for 43 years.

Ascension of Agha Mohammad khan (1198 AH/1783-1784 CE)

Ascension of Agha Mohammad Khan Akhta (the Castrated one) to the throne was in the year 1198. His reign spanned 13 years.  (In another place): Murder of Agha Mohammad khan Akhta took place during the siege of the city of Shish (Shisha or Shoosha): 1211 AH/1797 CE. He was murdered by his own servants.

(In another place): The Ascension  of Agha Mohammad Khan happened in 1189. He was known as Akhta because Nader Shah had had him castrated.

Ascension of Fath Ali Shah Qajar (1211 AH/1797 CE)

The ascension of Fath Ali Shah, Agha Mohaad khan’s nephew (brother’s son), was in the year 1211. He died in Isfahan, in 1250 AH/1834 CE; his reign spanned 39 years. (IN another place): Ascension of Fath Ali Shah, Agha Mohammad Khan’s nephew to the throne of Iran took place in the year 1211.

Martyrdom of Sufi Islam (1222 AH/1807-1808 CE)

Sufi Islam was martyred in 1222 during the governorship of Prince Haji Firooz uddin, in Shakiban (west of Herat), in the war against Nawwab Hassein Ali  Mirza, governor of Khurasan.

Vazir Fateh Khan in Herat (1232 AH/1816-1817 CE)

In 1232 Vazir Fateh Khan seized Herat from Prince Haji [Firooz-uddin].

(in other place)  Vazir Fateh Khan Barakzai Mohammadzay  took Herat, from Prince Haji Firooz-uddin through chicanery and politicking, and in the same year, there occurred a war between Vizir Fath khan and Hussein Ali Mirza, governor of Khurasan, at Dogharo, near Kafirqala, ending in mutual loss. Both sides being defeated, the Hazara cavalries who were accompanying the Vazir’s army, looted both sides and took as much booty as they could, and without entering the city of Herat, marched to Badghis, their hometown, and became rich and prosperous.

(In other place) War between Vazir Fateh Khan and prince Hussein Ali Mirza, governor of Khurasan, took place at Kafirqala of Kuhsan in the year 1232 /1816-1817 CE.

Blinding and slaying of Vazir Fateh khan (1232 AH/ 1816-1817 CE)

The blinding and, after a few months, slaying of Vazir Fateh khan, by King Kamran, son of King Mahmood Afghan, happened on the way to Kabul, in the year 1232 AH/ 1816-1817 CE.

(In another place) On 27 Dhulqa’da 1232/10 October 1817 Vazir Fateh khan took Herat from Haji Firoozuddin by chicanery and politicking. Later, King Kamran, son of King Mahmood, blinded and imprisoned the Vazir in the same room in which Prince Haji had been imprisoned. Later, when King Kamran decided to travel to Kabul, he took the Vazir with him and on the way ordered Durrani khans to kill him.

Defeat of Hussein Ali Mirza (1232 AH/1816-1817 CE)

The defeat of Hossein Ali Mirza happened at Maroochaq Balamorghab in 1232 AH/1816-1817 CE.

King Mahmood’s flight from Kabul (1234 AH/1818-1819 CE)

King Mahmood’s flight from Kabul to Herat happened in 1234 – [It was the] autonomous governorship of King Mahmood and Haji Firoozuddin in Herat.

(In another place): King Mahmood entered Herat after being defeated in Kabul: Ramadhan 1234/June 1819.

Death of Ranjit Singh (1234 AH/ 1818-1819 CE): Date of Ranjit Singh’s death [according to Perso-arabic acrostic alphabet] is Zaagh-e-koor  (Blind Crow) due to his dark skin and having only one eye. Zaagh-e-koor transcribes to 1234.

Revolt of Mustafa Khan Zoori (1234 AH/1818-1819 CE)

Revolt of Mustafa Khan Zoori and his murder by King Mahmood: 1234.

Siege of Herat (1237 AH/1822 CE)

Murder of Amir Qilich Khan Timuri and Ibrahim Khan Jamshidi during the siege of Herat:  1^st  Ramadhan 1237/22 May 1822.

(slightly different in another place): The murder of  Amir Qilich Khan Timuri and Ibrahim Khan Jamshidi happened in the vicinity of Herat, during the siege they had laid in 1237.

Coming of King Mahmood to Herat, helped by Fath Ali Shah Qajar (1241 AH/1825-1826 CE)

Coming of King Mahmood to Herat, for the second time, with the help of Fath Ali Shah the Shah of Iran, for which assistance King Mahmood had gone to Iran: 1241.

Hasan Ali Mirza in Citadel of Herat (1241 AH/1826 CE)

Arrival of Prince Hasan Ali Mirza at the Citadel of Herat, unaccompanied, to visit King Kamran, on the day of Eid-e Adha, in the year 1241/14 July 1826.

(In another place):  Prince Hasan Ali Mirz arrived unaccompanied, at the Citadel of Herat, in 1241, on Eid-e-Quraban (Eid-ul-Adhha) day/ July 16, 1826.

Russians in Tabriz (1243 AH/1827-1828 CE)

 Russian troops attacked Azerbaijan and conquered the city of Tabriz in the year 1243 at the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar.

(In another place) Russian troops attacked Azerbaijan and conquered the city of Tabriz, and were stationed there in the year 1243, at the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. Then Fath Ali Shah paid millions in cash from his treasury as the expense of the military expedition.  Consequently Russian troops left the city and retreated to their own country.  

Cholera in Herat (1244 AH/1828 CE)

There was a severe break out of cholera in Herat in the summer and the fall of 1244 (the same sentence is being repeated in another place).

Death of King Mahmood(1245 AH/1829 CE)

King Mahmood passed away, on the last day of Rabi’ l 1245/29 October 1829, in Herat (The sentence repeated in two places, once without mentioning the month)

Death of Fath Ali Shah Qajar(1250 AH/1835 CE)

 Fath Ali Shah Qajar died in Isfahan, in the year 1250

Ascension of Mohammad Shah Qajar(1250 AH/1835 CE)

Mohammad Shah, grandson of Fath Ali Shah and son of Abbas Mirza-the Crown Prince, ascended the throne in the year 1250. He died in Shamiran of Tehran on Shawwal 6, 1264/February 1848. His reign spanned 14 years.

Murder of Shah Shoja (1252 AH/1836-1837 CE)

Shah Shoja’ son of Timur Shah was murdered in the year 1252 and the date was versified in Persian (here the ascribe quotes a couplet in Persian mentioning the date according to Perso-arabic acrostic alphabet. The verse is copied in the Persian version)

Murder of the British Lord (1252 AH/1836-1837 CE)

In the same year that Shah Shoja was murdered, there was also murdered the British Lord, who was known among citizens of Kabul as Lat of Farang, or as they colloquially called “Laat e Farangi”.  The incident occurred when Kabul was captured by British army. All people of Kabul – the city of brave men- rose and killed the Laat and other British officers, and released the land of Islam from the hand of nonbelievers.  The same versifier of Shah Shoja’s murder date also arranged a verse for the Laat’s murder [It was Alexander Barnes, the British envoy who was killed in the uprising of people of Kabul, and the date in acrostic alphabet can be seen in the Persian copy ].

Siege of Herat (1253-1354 AH/1837-1838 CE)

Mohammad Shah Qajar, with 120,000 troops besieged Herat. The siege lasted one year. He retreated in the month of Jumadi II 1254/August 1838.

(In another place) Mohammad Shah, king of Iran, with 120,000 troops arrived the outskirts of the Herat city in the year 1253. The ministers of four states were accompanying him. The siege lasted 11 months. He returned to Iran in the year 1254 without attaining his aim. (In another place, there are quoted three verses that ironically mention the retreat of Mohammad Shah from Herat aimlessly)

Pottinger in Herat (1253-1258 AH/1837-1842 CE)

Pottinger, the British [agent] entered Herat, secretly in the year 1253, when the city was besieged by Mohammad Shah Qajar. After the siege was lifted, there also came Studdart Sahib and Hakim Sahib, with their treasure to Herat. Vazir Yar Mohammad khan and King Kamran settled them in Char-bagh inside the city. They stayed there for four years and spent their treasure in repairing and building of Herat. Afterward, when the British army in Kabul were killed, Vazir Yar Mohammad khan expelled the Farangi (Briton) in the year 1258 AH/1842 CE. Studdart who went to Bukhara was, killed there, by the order of the king of Bukhara.

End of the descendants of Ahmad [Shah Durrani] (1258 AH/1842 CE)

  The sovereignty of the descendants of Ahmad came to an end when Kamran was imprisoned and then killed by Vazir Yar Mohammad khan, in the year one thousand two hundred fifty eight. The Vazir himself became governor of Herat, and governed there, independently, for nine years. He died, in his natural death, on his way to Lash and Jowain, during an expedition. After Yar Mohammad khan, his son Sardar Sayyed Mohammad khan governed for four years. Then Vazir Isa khan and Shahzada (the prince) Mohammad Yusuf had, together, the governorship of Herat for two years.

Death of Kamran (1259 AH/1843 CE)

 Kamran died in detention, at the time of governorship of Vazir Yar Mohammad khan, in Rabi’ II 1259/May 1843.

Flight of Salar and revolt in Mashhad (1263 AH/1847 CE)

Salar, son of Asef-uddowla, maternal uncle of Mohammad Shah, fled while on his way to Tehran. He entered Mashhad and the subjects of Mashhad revolted because of the extortions of Turkish troops, who accompanied Hamza Mirza in the citadel of Khurasan. The revolt took place in 1263 under the leadership of Rajab Bahador Marvi, and continued for two years.  

Death of Mohammad Shah (1264 AH/1848 CE)

Mohammad Shah Qajar passed away on Shawal 4, 1264/September 5, 1848, in Shamiran, Tehran.

Ascension of Nasiruddin Shah (1264 AH/1848 CE)

Nasiruddin Shah ascended the throne in 1264 when he had 18 years. He died a martyrdom death on Friday 17 Dhulqada 1313/30 April 1896. His murderer named Reza, a Babi (a converted religious sect) who shot the king when he was praying. He reigned 49 years and aged 67 years. His ascension as well as his martyrdom took place in the month of   Dhulqa’da. He had been born in the month of Safar 1247/July 1831.

Babi sect’s followers tried two times to kill the king.  First it was 28 of Shawwal 1268 in the fourth year of his reign, and second time when he was martyred.  

Murder of the Custodian (1264 AH/1848 CE)

Mirza Abdullah custodian of Holy Mashhad was murdered while the  citizens of Mashhad revolted on 25 Ramadan 1264/ 25 August 1848.

Death of Yar Mohammad khan (1267 AH/1851 CE)

Vazir Yar Mohammad khan passed away at Mirala lodging place on 11 Shaban 1267/11 June 1851when he returned from his expedition from Lash and Jowain.

Birth date of Mozaffaruddin Shah (1269 AH/1853 CE)

Mozaffaruddin Shah [Shah of Iran] was born on Monday Jumadi II 14, 1853/March 25, 1853 in Sonbola [ but March falls  in Hoot and Hamal, Persian solar months, not in Sonbola].

Arrival of the Qajar defeated troops (1270 AH/1853-1854 CE)

Qajari troops, being defeated in Marv, arrived to Herat on Shaban 10, 1270/May 8, 1854. The troops had been settled in Marv’s citadel on behalf of the government of Iran. It was at the time of governorship of Sardar Sayyed Mohammad khan son of Yar Mohammad khan Alkozai.

Siege of Herat (1271 AH/1855 CE)

Hassam- alsaltana besieged Herat at the end of 1271, and seized it after nine months. After he seized the city he stayed there for nine more months. Then, ordered by Nasiruddin Shah, he submitted Herat to Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan.

(In another place) Hessam- al-saltana, Qajar prince, who governed Khurasan, attacked Herat, as was ordered by the King of Iran, Nasiruddin Shah. He besieged the city for nine months. There in Herat, Prince Mohammad Yusuf Sadozai and Vazir Isa khan Bardurani, were governing jointly.  Isa khan, due to the indigence and difficulties caused by the siege, was forced to seek refuge in the Iranian camp. He went and saluted Hussam-alsaltana. Qajar army captured the city, in the year 1273/1856. Iranians took the city of Herat and its suburbs under their possession, until the British government captured Iranian port of Bushahr, forcing the King of Iran to seek peace.  Iran submitted Herat to the Afghan Sardar, Sultan Ahmad khan Barakzai – Mohammadzai and, paid him an annual salary of 12000 Tooman. Sultan Ahmad khan began governorship of Herat in the year 1274/1857. When Iranians gave Herat over to Afghans, British forces also left the port of Bushahr, making an agreement.

Prince Reza in Herat (1272 AH/1856 CE)

Prince Mohammad Reza Sadozai, Yusuf khan’s brother, took Herat from Sayyed Mohammad khan, son of Vazir Yar Mohammad khan Alkozai, with the help of Abbas khan Herati, Vazir Isa khan and Brigadier-general Yusuf khan Hazara, on 24 Dhulhijja, 1272/26  August, 1856.

Mirza Najaf khan Herati, who lived in Mashhad, brought Honor-robe to Herat, for Prince Mohammad Yusuf Sadozai, from the Governor of Khurasan. Najaf khan and Sam khan Ilkhani [who accompanied Najaf khan] first decided to oppose Prince Mohammad Yusuf, but afterwards, Ilkhani disagreed and informed the Prince.

Murder of Isa khan Bardurani (6 Rabi II, 1273/4 December, 1856)

Vazir Isa khan was murdered on Friday, 6 Rabi II, 1273, after he submitted the city to Hussam-ul-saltana. He was shot in the artillery ground, pretending to parade the troops.

Retreat of Hassam-al-saltana (1273 AH/1857)

Hessam-al-saltana returned from Herat in first days of Dhulhijja, 1273/July 1857.

Murder of Sayyed Mohammad khan (1273 AH/1856 CE)

Sardar Sayyed Mohammad khan was murdered by the order of Prince Mohammad Yusuf in the month of Muharram 1273/ September 1856.

Governorship of Sultan Ahmad khan (1274 AH/1857-1858 CE)

Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan Mohammadzai became governor of Herat, by the order Nassir u’lddin Shah, in the year 1274.

Sultan Ahmad khan’s expedition to Tehran (1276 AH/1860 CE)

Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan left Herat for Tehran in the month of Rajab/January or February. He arrived in Tehran in Ramadan1276/March or April 1860. The trip took six months: two months on the way to Tehran, two months returning from Tehran, and two months staying in Tehran. Thomson sahib was then the Minster plenipotentiary of Britain in Tehran. (From another note, we know that The Monshi as well as his father the Grand Monshi Mohammad Ismail had been accompanying the governor in this trip)

Siege of Herat by Doost Mohammad khan (1279 AH/1863 CE)

Servants of Amir Doost Mohammad khan king of Kabulistan, came around the city of Herat on Thursday 25 Muharram 1279/16 March 1863. They besieged the city for 11 months. Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan was governor of Herat. The besiegers entered the city on the night of Eid-ul Adha/March 6, in the year 1280 AH/1864 CE, and the city was plundered.

(In another place) Servants of Amir Doost Mohammad khan king of Kabul, uncle and father-in-law of Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan, brought armies from Kabul and Kandahar and besieged the city of Herat in the month of Safar. After ten months siege, in the month of Dhulhijja, on the night of Eid-ul Adha  he captured the city and plundered it. [Amir Doost Mohammad khan] died thirteen days later. Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan also died of dropsy, when Herat was under the siege. He severely suffered from extravagant expense and grief.  Amir Doost Mohammad khan took Herat from Shahnawaz khan, son of Sultan Ahmad khan.

[The cause of siege of Herat]

Farah was dependant of Herat at the time of Vazir Yar Mohammad khan. At the time of governorship of his son, Sardar Sayyed Mohammad khan, Farah was captured by Kandahar Sardars, on behalf of Amir Doost Mohammad khan. Amir appointed his son, Wakil Saifuddawla as the governor of Farah. Saifuddawla’s mother was Hazara. He and his family were there till the time of governorship of Sultan Ahmad khan. When Sultan Ahmad khan, governor of Herat, came back from the salutation he paid to the king Nassiruddin Shah, he carried army to Farah and took the city. Amir Doost Mohammad khan, in retaliation, besieged and captured Herat. Herat is still under the sovereignty of the king of Kabul.

Signet rime of Amir Doost Mohammad khan:

His finger ring signet ring: Yaa Amir Koll amir (O Lord of the all lords)

His register Seal:

(Translation of a verse):

Amir Doost Mohammad who is the eternal fortunate

The order of his State is from the order of Sher Ali

Death of Sultan Ahmad khan (1279 AH/1863 CE)

Sardar Sultan Ahmad khan died on Monday night, Shawwal 17, 1279/April 7, 1863, when Herat was under the siege.

Governorship of Yaqoob khan (1280 AH/1863 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob khan, son of Amir Shir Ali khan, son of Amir Doost Mohammad khan, became governor of Herat in the year 1280 AH/1863 CE).

Yaqoob khan in Mashhad (1284 AH/1867 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob khan went to Mashhad, in the month of Rabi I, 1284/July 1867, to visit Nassiruddin Shah, The king of Iran, who had come to Mashhad for pilgrimage of the holy shrine. (Monshi had accompanied Yaqoob khan and has counted it as his fifth expedition)

Shir Ali khan in India (1285 AH/1869 CE)

Amir Shir Ali khan left Kabul on Dhulqada 2, 1285 AH/February 14, 1869 to visit the Viceroy of India at the place of Ambala, in Punjab, Sarhind.

Amir Abdurrahman khan in Iran and Russia (1285 AH/1868-1869 CE)

Amir Sahib Abdurrahman khan went to Iran and Russian state, after being defeated by Amir Shir Ali khan in Ghazni, in the year 1285 AH/1868-1869 CE)

Flight of Yaqoob khan  (1287 AH/1870 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob khan escaped from his father Amir Shir Ali khan from the city of Kabul in the month of Ramadan, 1287/November or December 1870.

Dearth in Herat (1287 AH/1870-1871 CE)

In the year 1287 AH/1870-1871 CE, one Man (about 4 Kg.) wheat sold for 4 Karan [that was extremely expensive]. It was yeelan yeel, the snake year (according to Chinese calendar).  The lack of rain in the winter caused draught. People, all over Khurasan, except Herat, were forced to eat unclean animals. In Herat food was expensive, but it could be found.

Murder of Fateh khan (1288 AH/1871 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob khan, son of Amir Shir Ali khan, who had escaped from his father, besieged Herat in 13 Muharram, 1288 AH/4 April 1871 CE and captured the city on Safar 15/May 6. The city was plundered and Sardar  Fateh khan, his cousin was killed while defending the city. Fateh khan was governing Herat by the order of his uncle Amir Shir Ali khan. [Sardar Fateh khan should not be mistaken for his uncle Vazir Fateh khan]

Return of Yaqoob khan to Kabul (1288 AH/1871 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob khan, returned for third time to Kabul in Ramadan 1288/November 1871 and was imprisoned by his father.

Birth of Mohammad Ali Shah (1289 AH/1872 CE)

His majesty Mohammad Ali Shah the king of Iran was born on Rabi’ II 13, 1289/June 20, 1879 (this subject is repeated at another place). His ascension: 1324 AH/1906 CE.

Birth of Amir Habibullah (1289 AH/1872 CE)

His majesty Amir Habullah khan, king of Afghanistan was born on Rabi’ II 25, 1289/July 2, 1872 (repeated at another place).

Nassiruddin Shah’s in Europe (1290 AH/1873 CE)

Nassiruddin Shah traveled to Frangistan (Europe) for the first time in the year 1290 AH/1873.

First flight of Ayyoob khan (1291 AH/1874 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Ayyoob khan escaped to Iran, three times: First fearing from his father’s army, second after being defeated by Sarkar Amir Abdurrahman khan. (For the third flight read under the year 1304 AH/1886 CE)

Conquest of Maimana (1293 AH/1876 CE)

Maimana was conquered in the reign of Amir Shir Ali khan on Safar 17, 1293/March 14, 1876. The commander of the governmental army was Na’ib Mohammad Alam khan, governor of Turkistan, and Sardar Abdullah khan Ghaljai  Nassiri was commanding Herati troops and cavalries which had gone to the war of Maimana. The siege of Maimana lasted five months, from Ramadan [1292] to Safar [1293]/November 1875-March 1876.Then the city of Maimana was captured in four hours. There, 500 troops were killed or wounded and around 5000 citizens of Maimana were killed.

Death of Amir Shir Ali khan (1296 AH/1879 CE)

Amir Shir Ali khan died of gangrene, a painful illness in his leg (in Farsi text the name of the illness is shakaklos ), in Mazar sharif, Turkistan, on Friday night, 29 of Safar 1296/22 February, 1879.

When Amir Shir Ali khan had gone to Turkistan and the British army had entered Afghanistan to conquer it, the Russian Emperor wrote to Amir Shir Ali khan: you should play chicanery and trick with Britons till these cold days pass, then God will show you his order, it means we will say Bismillah (in the name of God) coming to help you.

Ayyoob khan plundered of Herat (1296 AH/1879 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Ayoob khan left Herat for Kandahar [in the year 1296/1879]. In the mean time, 3 Herati regiments which were settled in the citadel of Maimana, left that city acompanied by their colonel, Faizo khan, and came to Herat on Monday, Dhulhijja 13/November 28. Ayyoob khan was, then, at Malan Bridge (Pol-e-Malan),  first march from Herat. Herati regiments, revolted against Ayyoob khan, marched next day to Pol-e-Malan and fought with five Kabuli regiments led by Ayyoob khan, who defeated them. Then Ayyoob khan with Kabuli regiments, entered Herat and plundered the city in the year 1296 AH/1879 CE.

Reign of Abdurrahman khan (1297-1319 AH/1879 -1901 CE)

Amir Abdurrahman khan became The king of Afghanistan and Afghani Turkistan, the provinces on this side (south) of Oxus, in the year 1297 AH/1879 CE and reigned until 1319/1901 for 22 years.

The war of Maiwand (1297 AH/1880 CE)

The war of Maiwand between Sardar Mohammad Ayyoob khan and British troops took place at Maiwand 14 Krooh far from Kandhar (approximately 42 Km. on the west of Kandahar). Saint John was the commander-in-chief of the British army. The battle on  Shaban 20/July 28 led to the victory of the army of Islam, in the year 1297/1880 Loy yeel (the year of wale).

7000 Afghan troops had come from Herat,:  4000 cavalries, 3000 infantries, and 8 guns ( the number is written in Siaq and it can also be read 3).

From Kandahar also 7000 troops, who were at the front line of the British army, and had reached around Hirmand, with Sardar Shir Ali khan Kandahari, came saluting Sardar Ayyoob khan and joined the Herat army.

Ghazi and eeljari (different people hired) people gathered from places around Herat were approximately 6000-7000 persons. Totally they were 20,000 – 30,000 persons.

British troops, present in the city of Kandahar and in the barracks, were six thousand, and Saint John sahib was their commander. Those who had come to fight and fought with the army of Islam at Kushk-Nakhod were three thousand cavalries and infantries and 8 guns. The British troops were defeated and all were killed in the battle-field, except Saint John sahib who could escape along with 500 troops into the city. From the army of Islam, about 3000 souls, ghazis or ordinary people got the high degree of martyrdom.

In Kandahar, there were still 3000 troops with cannons and equipments. When Saint John sahib reached the city, Islamic troops besieged it, and the city was besieged for forty days. Then the British troops in Kabul compromised with Amir Abdurrahman khan Mohammadzai, left Kabul for that Amir sahib, and came to Kandahar to help besieged Saint John. Kandahar was under the siege during the month of Ramadan. On the night of Eid the city gate opened and General Robert [famous in Afghanistan as Rapet , as written in the copy] arrived from Kabul, with a compo (Company? a company has less than 200 troops, but a division has 1000 or more),  comprised of 12000 troops. They fought the Muslims’ army, near Baba Wali and by the side of Old City of Kandahar, and defeated it. It was said that there were nineteen platoons and eight squads with Robert, who defeated the Muslim army. Sardar Mohammad Ayyoob khan along with other companion sardars and Herat’s army came back to Herat. The troops who had come along with Mohammad Ayyoob khan, after being defeated returned directly to Kabul and did not come to Herat.

A British artillery officer, called Mclean, trying to reach his commander Saint John in the city of Kandahar, was captured by the subjects of Kandahar and brought to Sardar Mohammad Ayyoob khan and was held in detention. He was killed by his prisoners after the defeat of the Muslims’ army.

Yaqoob khan’s compromise with British (121988 AH/1880-1881 CE)

After the defeat of British army, Sardar Yaqoob khan went to Sorkh-Pol of Kabul and compromised with the Britons and brought British Cavagnari sahib in Kabul. The Kabul civilians revolted against Cavagnari and killed him.

Battle between Ayyoob khan and Abdurrahman khan (1298 AH/1881 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Ayyoob khan left Herat for Kandahar on Rajab 20, 1298/June 18, 1881 (here, one or two leaves are fallen).

[He] fought His Highness Amir Abdurrahman khan, in Kandahar on Shawwal 27, 1298/September 22, 1881 and was defeated. Then he did not come to Herat and went to Iran through Farah and Asfazar.

Ayyoob khan’s second flight to Iran (1298 AH/1881 CE)

Sardar Mohammad Ayyoob khan marched, along with an army, from Herat to Kandahar that was under the sovereignty of Amir Abdurrahman khan. Sardar Shamsuddin khan Mohammadzai, governor of Kandahar came with troops and officers in Kushk-Nakhod. They fought there and the armies of Kandahar and Kabul were defeated. Sardar Ayyoob khan took the city. Then, Amir Abdurrahman khan left Kabul for Kandahar along with sufficient troops and equipments. Amir also appointed Sardar Abdulquddoos khan, who was in Turkistan, as governor of Herat.  When Amir and the army arrived near Kandahar, there was fighting for a few days between Amir and Sardar, at the locations of Chelzeena and the Old City. Finally Sardar Ayyoob khan was defeated and went toward Herat. But now, Sardar Abdulquddoos khan had arrived and had seized the city.  So Sardar Ayyoob khan went through Farah and Asfzar to Iran. (his first flight was mentioned under the year 1291 AH/1874 CE)

(To be continued)