The Barakzai clan—whose chief, Fatteh Khan, had taken an important part in raising Mahmud Shah Durrani to the sovereignty of Afghanistan in 1800 and in restoring him to the throne in 1809—now dominates Afghan politics, Fatteh Khan having become Prime Minister.

This situation has incited the jealousy of Kamran, Shah Mahmud's eldest son, who has had Fatteh Khan seized and blinded.

Meanwhile, Mahmud's brother Shoja', ousted from Afghanistan, had found asylum with the British at Ludhiana in 1815.

The following year, the Barakzai clan rises in rebellion against Mahmud.