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490 Affghan troop in the service of Persia, refounded, in 1747, the Affghan monarchy, which, towards the end of the last century, became one of the most powerful in Asia. After his victory over the Mahrattas at the battle or Panniput, in 1761, the Mogul throne seemed completely within his grasp; but he had prudence enough to content himself with the rich provinces on the Indus, and the fine valley of Cashmere. Having added to these Balkh, Herat, and Sinde, he formed a powerful empire, estimated to contain above fourteen millions of inhabitants; and this dominion Mr. Elphinstone, on his mission to Peshawur in 1808, found still entire in the hands of his successor. Shah Sujah-ul-Mulk.

But it was then on the eve of a great revolution; and in a few months afterwards that prince was driven out by his brother Mahmoud, who owed his success to the achievements of his Vizier, Futteh Khan. This Minister, having subsequently incurred the jealousy of his master, was deposed, and his eyes put out – a cruel deed, which roused the vengeance of his numerous offspring. By these the usurper was soon after driven from all his territories except Herat, and, after some vicissitudes, Cabul, Ghuznee, Candahar, and Peshawur, were partitioned among members of Futteh Khan's family, the first two falling to Dost Mahommed, the most powerful of their number. Amid these distractions, Runjeet Singh, having acquired absolute authority over the warlike race of the Sikhs, made himself master of the provinces eastward of the Indus, to which he added Cashmere. Balkh was seized by the sovereign of Bokhara; the Ameers of Sinde threw off their dependance; while the fine territory of Herat was occupied by Kamran, son to Mahmoud, the only branch of the house of Ahmeed Abdalla to whom anything now remained of this once powerful monarchy.

Shah Sujah, after his expulsion, resided at Loodiana, being allowed by the British Government four thousand rupees a month. He kept, however, a longing eye upon his lost kingdom; and, being encouraged by various