Ayub Khan’s ambassadors, Kandahar, 1880 circa (b/w photo)

Ayub Khan’s ambassadors, Kandahar, 1880 circa. Photograph by Benjamin Simpson (1831-1923), 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), 1880 circa. This photograph depicts the Afghan delegation that represented Ayub Khan, the Governor of Herat and brother of the dethroned Amir Yakub Khan, in discussions with the British at Kandahar. This was after Major-General Frederick Roberts’ victory over Ayub Khan outside Kandahar on 1 September 1880. This effectively ended the war, but negotiations on the future of Afghanistan were still necessary. Among the delegates was Umrjan Sahib Zadah (centre) who had greatly aided Ayub Khan’s victory at Maiwand in July 1880 by mobilising the Ghazis against the British. Despite the delegation’s efforts the British refused to deal with Ayub Khan and confirmed their support for Abdur Rahman who went on to ratify the Treaty of Gandamak (1878). Ayub Khan meanwhile became a fugitive. From an album of 34 photographs.