in his country, leading to attacks on Shia Muslims. Dost Mohammad Khan decided to use this by visiting a prominent tribal leader, Hajji Khan Kakar, promising him to become the Hakim of Bamyan in exchange for his aid to support a coup. With this support, Dost Mohammad sent Sultan Mohammad an ultimatum, demanding for him to relinquish his control over Kabul, or it would be taken by force. Sultan Mohammad failed to realize the threat at hand, and disregarded the ultimanum. Dost Mohammad then resorted to force, surrounding the citadel of the Bala Hissar, and shelled the upper citadel. Sultan Mohammad finally surrendered his position to Dost Mohammad, capitulating the rule of Kabul over to him. This coup added was very successful for Dost Mohammad, as Kabul was the richest of the Afghan provinces at the time. At the time of his unofficial enthronement in 1826, his government revenue was about 500,000 rupees, and by the 1830s it had increased to 2.5 million rupees. First Reign (1826-1842) Having consolidated his rule in Kabul in 1826 after assuming power there, Dost Mohammad made no claim to the Kingship of Afghanistan, This was because he wished to distance himself from the Sadozai ruling Durrani dynasty of Afghanistan prior, even adopting the title of Amir, rather than Shah, as the Durrani Emperors had used. Dost Mohammad's coronation in Kabul was also similar to that of Ahmad Shah Durrani's in 1747. Dost Mohammad was named Padishah, with the title Amir al-Muminin, meaning commander of the faithful. To also not show himself as a usurper, Dost Mohammad pointed out that his grandfather, Hajji Jamal Khan, was the strongest of candidates among the Pashtuns before intervention by Sabir Khan (who had encouraged people to vote for Ahmad Shah), during the Loya Jirga for Ahmad Shah Durrani. Thus, portraying the Muhammadzai claim to power, instead of showing himself as a usurper to the Afghan throne. Another reason why Dost Mohammad advocated for the title of Amir al-Muminin, was due to the fact that he needed the support of the Ulema in Kabul, Ahmad Shah Durrani did not choose a title of religious legitimacy during his ascension, instead, adopting the title, Durr-I-Dauran, meaning Pearl of the Age. After his coronation, Dost Mohammad focused on establishing a regular army. By 1832, Dost Mohammad fielded an army of over 9,000 Cavalrymen, and 2,000 Infantrymen, considered to be the strongest in