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. One of the first triumphs of this resistance, under Mir Masjidi's command, was when they wiped out an expedition sent out to reduce Charikar, in which the commander of this British troop, Major Eldred Pottinger was also severely wounded.[13] For a brief time, Mir Masjidi also gave refuge to the fugitive ex-Emir Dost Mohammad, when he had escaped from the British advance to Kabul and was in hiding in the Hindu Kush.[14]