afghanistanQunduz, the fiefdom of another powerful Uzbek chief, Ataliq Murad Beg,
who, while he was related to Qilij ‘Ali Beg of Khulm by marriage, was the
Mir Wali’s greatest rival. As for the Qataghan cavalry, it had a reputation
for being a formidable force.
In order to secure safe passage along these strategic highways, Timur
Shah abandoned his father’s alliance with the wali of Maimana and forged
one with Qilij ‘Ali Beg of Khulm, conferring on him the title of Wa l i of
Balkh. Since this title had formerly been conferred on Hajji Bi of Maimana
by Ahmad Shah, the loss of this position with its privileges and status did
not please Hajji Bi’s son and heir, Jan Muhammad, who ruled Maimana
following his father’s death. Jan Muhammad and the other amirs of the
Chahar Wilayat responded by inserting the name of the ‘Abd al-Ghani,
Khan of Bukhara, in the khutba and offering the Khan military assist-
ance to throw out the Durrani hakim in Balkh. Timur Shah’s alliance with
The ancient southern
road from Bamiyan to
Kabul via the Hajigak
Pass, looking south
from the top of the
Kushan fortress of
Shahr-i Zohak.