informed Dost Mohammad that Kohandil Khan's sons had given up all claim to the political leadership of Kandahar for a share in government and possession of the Jagirs previously given to them. Earlier, Rahmdil Khan opened contact with Dost Mohammad Khan urgently requesting support against Mohammad Saddiq. This was possibly due to the fact that Rahmdil Khan knew that if he invited Dost Mohammad Khan to Kandahar, he would be stripped of all his land and possessions, as well as the same case for the other Qandahar Sardars. Regardless, Dost Mohammad did not intend to change his plans from the conquest of Kandahar, and justified his approach on Kandahar on the suspicion of Muhammad Saddiq's intentions. Dost Mohammad's suspicion was confirmed when reports came to him that turmoil was ongoing in Kandahar, as within the city, Rahmdil Khan was incapable of controlling and leading order. All economic life and trade was also disrupted by raids for plunder from his rivals. Supported by 300 Barakzai soldiers, Mohammad Sadiq Khan and his brother, Sultan Ali effectively cut all trade with Herat from Kandahar. Alongside this, in September 1855, Shahzada Muhammad Yusuf deposed Sa'id Muhammad Khan in the second week of September, thus allowing Dost Mohammad to begin his conquest of Kandahar with little worry about Persian interference. As a result, Dost Mohammad Khan marched on Kandahar. Dost Mohammad Khan reached the city on 14 November, taking possession of the citadel and declaring that none of the local contestants who fought for rule in Kandahar would be taking any role in the new government implicated by Dost Mohammad. According to Jonathan Lee, Dost Mohammad was allowed to enter the city after offering to perform the Fatiha prayers for his dead brother. Nonetheless, Dost Mohammad had control over Kandahar. Dost Mohammad also gave allowances to those who fought for control in Kandahar to win their loyalty, as these allowances were based on the net revenues of Kandahar. Ten months later, in September 1856, Dost Mohammad gave control of the city to his son, Haidar Khan and returned to Kabul. Consolidation of Kandahar (1856-1857) By 1856, crisis was stirring in Kandahar following Dost Mohammad's usurpation of the city. Only three members of the royal family remained in Kandahar, with the exception of Rahmdil Khan, Mir Afzal Khan, and Ghulam Muhyi al-Din, all the other Qandahar Sardars left the city or even the country. Muhammad Saddiq