between Persia and Afghánistán; and now the attitude of the Sikhs in regard to this alliance had become somewhat critical owing to recent events in Afghánistán.
At first all had gone well. The Amír Dost Muhammad's brothers had been charged with treacherous conduct regarding Herát; so the British had invaded Afghánistán from Sind and Khelát by Kandahár, while the Saddozái Prince Timúr, son of the English nominee, Sháh Shújá, had entered it, with his own levies and a Sikh contingent, from Pesháwár through the Kháibar. This was Ranjít Singh's share of the business. The British, continuing their advance, took Khelát-i-Ghilzai and stormed Ghazní; on this, Dost Muhammad fled beyond the Hindu Kush, and the two invading columns, the English from Ghazní and Timúr's from the Kháibar, closed on Kábul, and installed Sháh Shujá as Amír. With this the ostensible object of the invasion and the alliance had been gained. It was then intended to withdraw from the country and leave Sháh Shujá to his own devices; but it was found impracticable to do this altogether, as he had no real supporters, except the troops of his allies. Two large portions however of the force were sent away in October, 1839, one under Cotton by Khelát, the other under Keane by Pesháwár. Next spring more troubles broke out. Dost Muhammad reappeared on the scene, and after some fighting surrendered and was sent in honourable captivity to Calcutta. For about a year there was
