[5] In 1709, after overthrowing and assassinating George XI of Kartil, the Safavid Persian governor, Hotak declared independence of the Loy Kandahar region, now southern Afghanistan.

The Safavid ruler Sultan Husayn strongly suspected the Ghilji had revolted and sent George to Kandahar ahead of a large Persian army.

[10] Prominent amongst the Ghilji chiefs during these events was Mirwais Hotak – as head of one of the tribes, he was intelligent, well mannered, and one of the richest and most influential people in Kandahar.

[11] Hotak explained to the court that George would be a ferocious enemy if he rebelled, with the governorship of Kandahar, Georgia, and Kerman falling to his rule in such a scenario.

He wanted to obtain support and approval from religious leaders, so he asked two questions: The replies were in the affirmative, so Hotak returned to Isfahan.

[13] Around the same time that Mirwais returned from Mecca, he learned of an Armenian named Israel Ori, sent to Isfahan as an ambassador under diplomatic authority of Peter the Great.

When it reached the court at Isfahan, many rumors added to the alarm, and Husayn had asked Hotak for counsel,[14] who replied: It is true that the conjuncture is formidable.

By sending a man, born a Persian subject, yet of his own faith, and of the ancient royal family of Armenia, his object must be to blow with effect the coals of sedition into the very heart of the kingdom.

In fear of provoking Russia, he allowed Israel Ori to travel to Isfahan, and suspicion of George plagued both the court and the Shah.

As a result, Husayn reappointed Hotak to his position to spy on George, and by any means, remove him from power if he was thought to have started anything suspicious.

Hotak was ready to rebel, but he had one obstacle in his way: When Gurgin Khan allowed the Persians to return to Persia, he kept the Georgians of the army as his bodyguards.

Hotak informed the Tarins – tribal governors of the Pishin Valley – to stop paying tribute to George, who dispatched the majority of his Georgian troops to the region.

[18] Hotak ordered George and his men stripped, and he and his allies wore their armor and set out for Kandahar, their appearance preventing suspicion.

[19] With the coup succeeding, Hotak assembled the inhabitants of Kandahar and made a speech about how the loss of George had weakened Persia, and the opportunity for freedom and liberty was now available to Afghans.

Mirwais said: If there are any amongst you, who have not the courage to enjoy this precious gift of liberty now dropped down to you from heaven, let him declare himself; no harm shall be done to him, he shall be permitted to go in search of some new tyrant beyond the frontier of this happy state.

Hotak was given complete executive power, armed his forces, and spread word of his successes to other tribes to encourage them to join the revolt.

Hotak allowed them to approach within range of musket shot fire, then directed the guns to open up on the Georgian army.

They sent an ambassador, Jani Khan, to assure Hotak that George's death would be forgiven if they allowed a Persian garrison in Kandahar.

Khusru scouted ahead after advancing to Farah, and Mirwais took positions near Ghirisk on the banks of the Helmand River, leaving the passes unguarded.