despatched several detachments into Baluchistan and established his
authority in that province. Abdulla Khan, however, was continued in the
government of the country by Nadir's orders; but he was soon after killed
in a battle with the forces of the nawabs of Sind. He was succeeded by his
eldest son, Haji Mahommed Khan, who abandoned himself to the most
tyrannical and licentious way of life and alienated his subjects by
oppressive taxation. In these circumstances Nasir Khan, the second son of
Abdulla Khan, who had accompanied the victorious Nadir to Delhi, and
acquired the favour and confidence of that monarch, returned to Kalat and
was hailed by the whole population as their deliverer. Finding that
expostulation had no effect upon his brother, he one day entered his
apartment and stabbed him to the heart. As soon as the tyrant was dead,
Nasir Khan mounted the _musnud_ amidst the universal joy of his subjects;
and immediately transmitted a report of the events which had taken place to
Nadir Shah, who was then encamped near Kandahar. The shah received the
intelligence with satisfaction, and despatched a firman, by return of the
messenger, appointing Nasir Khan beglar begi (prince of princes) of all
Baluchistan. This event took place in the year 1739.

Nasir Khan proved an active, politic and warlike prince. He took great
pains to re-establish the internal government of all the provinces in his
dominions, and improved and fortified the city of Kalat. On the death of
Nadir Shah in 1747, he acknowledged the title of the king of Kabul, Ahmad
Shah (Durani). In 1758 he declared himself entirely independent; upon which
Ahmad Shah despatched a force against him under one of his ministers. The
khan, however, raised an army and totally routed the Afghan army. On
receiving intelligence of this discomfiture, the king himself marched with
strong reinforcements, and a pitched battle was fought in which Nasir Khan
was worsted. He retired in good order to Kalat, whither he was followed by
the victor, who invested the place with his whole army. The khan made a
vigorous defence; and, after the royal troops had been foiled in their
attempts to take the city by storm or surprise, a negotiation was proposed
by the king which terminated in a treaty of peace. By this treaty it was
stipulated that the king was to receive the cousin of Nasir Khan in
marriage; and that the khan was to pay no tribute, but only, when called
upon, to furnish troops t