Dost Muhammad Khan

Dost Mohammad Khan, born in 1793 in Afghanistan, was a pivotal figure in Afghan history, ruling from 1826 to 1863 and founding the Barakzai dynasty. He was the eleventh son of Payinda Khan, the chief of the Barakzai Pashtuns. Dost Mohammad's reign was marked by significant challenges, including the First Anglo-Afghan War, where he faced British intervention aimed at restoring Shah Shuja to the throne. After his initial defeat and exile, he was restored to power in 1843 and went on to unify much of Afghanistan, capturing key cities like Kandahar and Herat. He formed alliances with the British to counter Russian influence and died in Herat on June 9, 1863, shortly after capturing the city. Images of Dost Mohammad Khan can be found in historical engravings, such as those available through Britannica, which depict him as a prominent figure in Afghan history.