afghanistanand his descendants were known as the Hazrats of Shor Bazaar. Over
the ensuing centuries these Mujadidi pirs played a prominent part in
Afghanistan’s political life, particularly as opponents of Europeanization
and colonialism.
The fall of Sirhind opened the road to Delhi, which was virtually un -
defended, for the Mughal army was now in the rear of Ahmad Shah’s
advance. In Delhi itself, the reports of the massacres that had accom-
panied the fall of cities and towns caused panic and a mass exodus to
the countryside. Ahmad Shah’s advance, though, was halted unexpect-
edly. In March 1748 the Mughal army finally caught up with the Afghans
at Manupur, defeated Ahmad Shah and forced him to retreat to Lahore.
When he arrived Ahmad Shah was greeted with the news that his nephew,
Luqman Khan, had rebelled, so Ahmad Shah gave the order to march on
Kandahar. As soon as his army had crossed the Indus, the governor of
Lahore pledged his loyalty to Delhi. A few weeks later Muhammad Shah,
the Mughal emperor, passed away and was succeeded by his son Ahmad
Shah Bahadur (r. 1748–54). His death precipitated a power struggle in
Delhi that further undermined the Mughals’ ability to resist further Afghan
invasion or the rising power of the Marathas and Sikhs.
Ahmad Shah’s campaigns against the Mughals, Marathas, Jats
and SikhsLuqman Khan’s revolt was quickly put down and in the autumn of 1748
Ahmad Shah set out to reassert his authority over the Punjab. After cross-
ing the Indus, Ahmad Shah paid his respects to Hazrat Mian ‘Omar Baba,
pir of Chamkani, who blessed his campaign and bestowed on him the title
of Dur-i Durran, Pearl of Pearls, and from this point on the ‘Abdali tribe
became known as Durrani. As Ahmad Shah advanced, Mir Mannu Khan,
military governor of the Punjab and the general who had defeated Ahmad
Shah at the Battle of Manupur, pleaded in vain with Delhi for reinforce-
ments. In Lahore itself there was a bitter power struggle between Mir
Mannu Khan and Nasir Khan, who Ahmad Shah Bahadur had appointed
as nawab. Mir Mannu Khan decided he dared not risk confronting the
Afghans in the open plains, fearing that while he was away Nawab Nasir
Khan would lock him out. Instead, he reinforced the fortress and defences
of Lahore, leaving the surrounding countryside to be ravaged by Sardar
Jahan Khan. The Sikhs took advantage of the chaos and a small raiding
party entered Lahore, helped itself to as much loot as it could find and
disappeared into the surrounding jungle.