Mir Masjidi Khan (died 1841) is one of many celebrated Afghan[1] resistance leaders from Shamali Plain who opposed the installation of Shuja Shah Durrani (or 'Shah Shujah') as Emir of Afghanistan by the Government of British India during the First Anglo-Afghan War.
[9] In addition, the British garrison in Kabul offended the general social sensibilities with their excesses, in particular their liberties with women,[10] and the populace, inflamed by the mullahs and other religious, spiritual leaders including Mir Masjidi, came out in open revolt, declaring themselves for the exiled ex-Emir Dost Mohammad Khan.
Due to his personal prowess in arms and his influential spiritual-social position, Mir Masjidi soon became one of the main leaders[11] of the regional revolt at this time, and he fortified the Nijrab valley and other areas of Kohistan (modern-day Kapisa Province) against the British troops and refused allegiance to Shuja Shah[12] and also organised resistance in and around Kabul town.
[15] The Mir then became a major thorn in the side of the British garrison at Kabul, harassing them at every turn, and Macnaghten soon began to look for 'other solutions' to get rid of him[16] and announced a big reward for him, dead or alive.
Although not much came out of this at first, the British forces in collusion with some of the local chiefs who had been bribed, were able to ultimately confiscate most of Mir Masjidi's estates and property[17] and he was reduced to living out in the hills and glens, often in dire financial straits.