[8] Its causes laid in the "rapacity and exactions"[8] of Muhammad Akbar Khan, the local governor of the Khost district.

[2] The rebellion, which was led by Jehandad Khan,[2] began on 2 May 1912,[note 1] when Mangal and Jadran tribesmen in Khost, Afghanistan rose up,[1] quickly overwhelmed various isolated garrisons,[2] and besieged Muhammad Akbar at Matun.

[8] Understanding the danger posed by the revolt, Habibullah sent Muhammad Nadir Khan to quell the rebellion.

[2] In the British Raj, tribesmen of the Kurram District were restricted from entering Afghanistan to aid the revolt.

[9] Habibullah's decision to show clemency to the rebels laid in a desire to conciliate enemies inherited from his predecessors, and the understanding that his acceptance of western ideas and encouragement of modern technical improvements had undermined his own popularity.