resistance to Afghan occupation. However, just as the rebellion was finally suppressed, another threat rose from beyond the Amu Darya. After a siege lasting nearly a year, the ruler of Shahr-I-Sabz was starved into submission. As soon as the town fell, Nasrullah Khan's son, who commanded the siege of Shahr-I-Sabz, moved his forces to Qarshi, being joined by additional forces from Bukhara. At the beginning of May 1856, Nasrullah Khan informed Afzal Khan that he planned to visit Mazar-I-Sharif to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the shrine of Ali and to give thanks for his recent victory. Since Nasrullah Khan was accompanied by several thousand battle hardened troops, and the letter also demanded that Afzal Khan pay Bukhara twelve thousand tilas, Afzal Khan concluded that this was an attempt by the Bukharans to try and seize Balkh again. The threat of a Bukharan invasion birthed hopes of liberation again amongst the population of the Chahar Wilayat, in particular Maimana and Andkhui. It was reported in Kabul that Maimana and Andkhui sent troops to support the Bukharans and an attempt by Afzal Khan to negotiate with Maimana ended in little success. Despite this, Nasrullah Khan withdrew again, fearing the Anglo-Afghan alliance that was made and about Persian claims on Herat. Background and Usurpation of Kandahar (1855-1856) Dost Mohammad Khan's half brothers, Purdil, Sherdil, and Kohandil Khan took control of Kandahar and its surroundings in 1818 following the execution of Fateh Khan Barakzai, with Mahmud Shah Durrani triggering his downfall. The Qandahar Sardars, also known as the "Dil brothers" ruled over much of southern Afghanistan based in Kandahar. While Purdil Khan was the eldest brother, Sherdil Khan led the leading role in Qandahar during the early Muhammadzai period of rule. Sherdil acted as the commander in chief of the troops of the Principality. Sherdil also actively pursued in the struggle for Kabul following the demise of the Durranis, and it was not until the death of Sherdil in July 1826 that Dost Mohammad Khan could successfully seize Kabul for himself from Sultan Mohammad Khan. After the death of Sherdil, his brother, Purdil succeeded him as the hegemon of the Principality, but could not keep in on the struggle for Kabul. However, his territories alongside his other brothers such as Kohandil and Rahmdil, and Mihrdil allowed him on equal-footing with Dost Mohammad Khan in the early 1820's. After Purdil Khan's death in the 1830's,