was not reinstated as ruler of Aqcha, and instead the position was given to Sardar Wali Muhammad Khan. In a later intelligence report in 1856, the Ishan's name is mentioned in Kabul under house arrest. Hakim Khan of Sheberghan, however, was rewarded for his support of Dost Mohammad and was given the title of Nizam-al-Mulk and a robe of honor which conferred official recognition that he ruled Sheberghan under Afghan overlordship. Ghazanfar Khan of Andkhui as well, received similar letters from Dost Mohammad Khan and the conferred title of 'Amin al-Daula, and an inscribed signet ring which commemorated his appointment. In late September 1853, a mutiny sprung up among Afghan troops who were stationed in the north. Many of the soldiers had been campaigning for three years at that point and declared that they wished to return home. A contingent of these mutineers went to the shrine of 'Ali in Mazar-I-Sharif, hoping this would be used as a form of shelter. Afzal Khan wrote numerous letters to Dost Mohammad Khan, pleading his father to send reinforcements, otherwise Turkistan would be left undefended from outside threats such as the Mir Wali or Bukhara. The mutiny came at a difficult time for Dost Mohammad, as most his forces were concentrated at the time around Ghazni due to an ongoing conflict with the Kandahar Sardars. Dost Mohammad instructed his son to lie his way out of trouble by telling the mutineers that a relief force was being sent to Balkh to take their positions so they could return home. Dost Mohammad also instructed Afzal Khan to patrol the routes south on the route to Kabul so that any fleeing mutineers would be intercepted. Dost Mohammad also showed favor to one of the sons of Murad Beg of Qunduz, who was at blows with his older brother, the Mir Ataliq. This individual likely attempted to overthrow his brother, and fled to the service of Dost Mohammad Khan after escaping from Turkistan. Despite opposition from the Amirs of Sheberghan and Qunduz, Dost Mohammad seeked to win over the dissident Ing and unruly states with promises to overthrow their rivals in return for them submitting to Afghan overlordship. The reluctance of senior Barakzai Sardars and refusal to send reinforcements delayed any form of relieving Balkh, and it was not until late spring of 1854 that the regiments in Balkh were finally relieved by forces sent under