Mahmud Shah Durrani (Persian: ; 1769 – 18 April 1829), also known as Shah Mahmud, or Mahmud Shah Abdali, was the ruler of the Durrani Empire between 1801 and 1803, and again between 1809 and 1818. From 1818 to 1829, he was the emir of Herat. An ethnic Sadduzai, a division of the Popalzai clan of the Durrani Pashtuns, he was the son of Timur Shah Durrani and grandson of Ahmad Shah Durrani. Early life Mahmud Shah was born in 1769, the second son of Timur Shah Durrani. His mother was an unknown concubine of Yusufzai stock. He was raised with his brothers, most prominently Zaman Shah Durrani and Shah Shuja Durrani, and was appointed emir of Herat by his father at 8 years old. Death of Timur Shah Timur Shah died on 20 May 1793, triggering a succession crisis within the Empire. Mahmud, the powerful Herati emir, allied with his brother Humayun in Kandahar against Zaman Shahzadeh, the late Shah's eldest son and designated successor, who had summoned all rival claimants to Kabul. Zaman had them locked up for 5 days, starving them until they submitted and recognized him as Shah of the Empire. Eventually they all did, including Mahmud. When Zaman Shah sent their brother Shuja Shahzadeh to deal with him, despite Mahmud's alliance with Humayun, Mahmud did nothing to assist his ally, reaffirming his loyalty to the new Shah. For this, Mahmud was confirmed as the ruler of Herat, but now as the Shah's vassal. Ruler of Herat Mahmud Shah had ruled Herat under the suzerainty of Zaman Shah Durrani, however, he attempted multiple revolts and efforts for power during his rule of Herat. Zaman Shah's invasion of Herat Zaman Shah, seeing the threat of the Persians, had decided to try to regain control of Herat and establish a loyal governor against the Persians. This was in direct response to them demanding the complete lands of Mashad, Herat, and even Balkh, one year prior in 1795. As a result, he marched against Mahmud Shah and met him near Ghirisk, and had defeated Mahmud Shah. Zaman Shah went on to siege Herat; however, the city had held out, and the two brothers had held an agreement. Mahmud Shah would recognize Zaman Shah as ruler of the Durrani Empire, in return, Zaman Shah had recognized Mahmud Shah as the governor of Herat. They had agreed to these terms. However,