Dost Mohammad Khan

Dost Mohammad Khan declared himself Emir of Afghanistan after overthrowing the Durrani dynasty in Kabul. He established the Barakzai dynasty, which would rule Afghanistan for over a century. His rise marked the end of Durrani rule and the beginning of a new era of internal consolidation.

British India invaded Afghanistan to restore Shah Shuja Durrani to the throne, triggering the First Anglo-Afghan War. Dost Mohammad Khan was captured and exiled to India. The war ended in 1842 with a British retreat and massacre, but Dost Mohammad remained in exile until 1843.

After the British withdrawal from Afghanistan, Dost Mohammad Khan returned from exile and recaptured Kabul from Shah Shuja's remaining forces. He was restored as Emir and reasserted Barakzai control over the country, consolidating his power after the war.

Dost Mohammad Khan led a military campaign to capture Herat from the Persians, completing the reunification of Afghanistan under his rule. He died shortly after the city's fall, leaving a unified state to his successors. This campaign ended decades of fragmentation.