Sultan Ahmad Khan

Sultan Ahmad Khan b. Sardar 'Azim Muhammadzai^[1] (Persian: سلطان احمد خان بن سردار عظیم محمدزی), also known as Sultan Jan^[2] (Persian: سلطان جان) was the ruler of the Principality of Herat from September 1857 to April 1863. He was a nephew of Dost Mohammad Khan. In 1855-56, Sultan Ahmad Khan sent a petition to the Shah, Nasir al-Din.^[3] If the Iranians would support Sultan Ahmad Khan with an army, he would overthrow the Amir-i Kabir and incorporate Afghanistan into the Guarded Domains. However, Sultan Ahmad Khan was intercepted by Dost Mohammad Khan, who exiled Sultan Ahmad Khan to Iran.^[3]

After the conclusion of the Anglo-Persian War, he was installed as ruler of Herat by the Iranians. On May 24, 1857, Sultan Ahmad Khan arrived in Herat.^[1] The Iranians evacuated Herat in September 1857^[1] in accordance with the Treaty of Paris.^[4] During Sultan Ahmad Khan's reign, he was completely dependent on Iran and not only minted coins in the Shah's name, but also given assistance against the Muhammadzais to the east.^[1] Naser al-Din Shah bestowed the title of Sirkar (Persian: سرکار) on Sultan Ahmad Khan and gave his son, Shah Nawaz Khan, the title of Amir Panji (Persian: امیر پنجی).^[5]

Khan captured Farah soon after in March 1862. Farah had been a Muhammadzai possession since their occupation of the town on October 30, 1856.^[6][1] This became Dost Mohammad Khan's casus belli to launch an attack on Herat. On June 29^[4] or July 8^[7] Farah was captured by the Muhammadzais. On July 22,^[7] Sabzawar was captured. By July 28, Herat was besieged.^[4] During the 10-month siege Ahmad died on March 6, 1863,^[1][8] being succeeded by his son Shah Nawaz Khan. Shortly before his death, he had been affected by a disease that causes limb paralysis.^[8] On May 27, 1863, Herat would finally fall to the Amir.^[4]

See also

• Principality of Herat
• Herat Campaign of 1862-1863
• Anglo-Persian War
• Dost Mohammad Khan
• 1st Anglo-Afghan War
• Sher Ali Khan

References

1. Noelle-Karimi, Christine (2014). The Pearl in Its Midst: Herat and the Mapping of Khurasan (15th-19th Centuries). Austrian Academy of Sciences Press. ISBN 978-3-7001-7202-4.
2. Alder, G. J. (1974). "The Key to India? Britain and the Herat Problem, 1830-1863: Part II". Middle Eastern Studies. 10 (3): 287–311. doi:10.1080/00263207408700277. ISSN 0026-3206. JSTOR 4282538.
3. McChesney, Robert; Khorrami, Mohammad Mehdi (2012-12-19). The History of Afghanistan (6 vol. set): Fayż Muḥammad Kātib Hazārah's Sirāj al-tawārīkh. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-23498-7.
4. Edward Balfour. The cyclopædia of India and of eastern and southern Asia. Bernard Quaritch, 1885
5. Kuhzad, Ahmad Ali (1950s). Men and events : through 18th and 19th century : Afghanistan. Robarts - University of Toronto. Kabul : [s.n.]
6. Noelle, Christine (1997). State and Tribe in Nineteenth-century Afghanistan: The Reign of Amir Dost Muhammad Khan (1826-1863). Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-7007-0629-7.
7. Mojtahed-Zadeh, Pirouz (1993). Evolution of Eastern Iranian boundaries: Role of the Khozeimeh Amirdom of Qaenat and Sistan (phd thesis). SOAS University of London.
8. Lee, Jonathan L. (1996-01-01). The "Ancient Supremacy": Bukhara, Afghanistan and the Battle for Balkh, 1731-1901. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-10399-3.