The Afghan Martyrs — Page 94
The Tragic End of Sardar Nasrulla Khan Sardar Nasrulla Khan was a leading light amongst those who orchestrated the martyrdom. He was a son of Ameer Abdur Rahman Khan and a brother of Ameer Habeebulla Khan, both Kings of Afghanistan. During the reign of his father he lived in England for a while and became known as an opponent of the British. On the demise of Ameer Abdur Rahman his eldest son, the heir apparent, Sardar Habeebulla Khan mounted the throne. As Nasrulla Khan had a greater knowledge of theology than his brother and as he always curried favour with the Afghan divines, he had probably entertained hopes of becoming the King. Secretly he had made certain moves to attain his objective. In the hope that when the time came they would support him he patronized and rendered financial assistance to the so-called scholars and also some keepers of the tombs of the saints and on the demise of Ameer Abdur Rahman he accelerated the pace of his intrigues. At that time Sahibzada Abdul Lateef was the Imam of the Ja1mey Mosque of Kabul. He was the one who led the Funeral Service of Ameer Abdur Rahman and he was the one who had been appointed a tutor for the children of Ameer Abdur Rahman. Due to his exalted station in the religious domain he had a large number of followers and disciples and therefore it was decided to seek his advice as to which one of the sons of Ameer Abdur Rahman should succeed him to the throne. After obtaining a commitment from Ameer Habeebulla Khan that he would respect and observe the Islamic Shariat he decided in his favour and he also performed his coronation ceremony. On the surface Sardar Nasrulla accepted the fait- accompli and pledged obedience to Ameer Habeebulla but secretly he became an adversary of the Sahibzada and began to wait for an opportunity to harm him, extract revenge and thus soothe the frre burning in his bosom. 94