However, after a reign of just a few months he was killed by his uncle Sher Afzul, who coming up stealthily from Kabul, attacked the fort by night and slew him. During this period Nizam ul-Mulk had been the guest of the British at Gilgit, and induced the belief amongst the Chitralis that his bid for sovereignty was backed by the force of British arms. Once Nizam returned from Gilgit he succeeded in ousting Sher Afzul who once again fled to Kabul. Nizam is believed to be an agreeable man, cultivated with many European tastes, but that was hardly helpful for his cause. Nizam ul-Mulk was murdered on 1 January 1895, while on a hunting tour, by his ungrateful brother, Amir ul-Mulk, whose life he had spared. The stimulated Amir, sent a deputation to Lieutenant Bertrand Gurdon, then Resident Political Officer in Chitral, asking to be recognised as Mehtar, but was told that the orders of the British Government must be awaited. On 8 January 1895, 50 men of the 14th Sikhs marched down from Mastuj to join Gurdon in Chitral. On 1 February the British Agent arrived from Gilgit over the Shandur Pass, with an escort commanded by then Captain Townshend of Central India Horse, composed of 280 men of the 4th Kashmir Rifles i.e. Imperial Service Troops and 33 men of the 14th Sikhs under Lieutenant Harley. Their purpose was to give support to Gurdon, prevent blood spill from engulfing the British officers in Chitral and impede falling of the Mehtarship into hostile hands. Characteristically there were no cannons, with the advancing group, had there been, there would have been no subsequent siege. However hearing that Umra Khan had taken Kila Drosh, been joined by Sher Afzul, was in complicity with Amir and inching towards Chitral, Sir George Scott Robertson moved the British forces into the Chitral fort out of necessity. Shuja ul-Mulk at age 12 appeared intelligent, took keen interest in all matters of state and was said to have a natural kingliness of manner, with a sedative gravity. Thus at a durbar on 2 March 1895, Sir George declared that subject to the approval of the Government of India, Shuja ul-Mulk was recognised as Mehtar. Shuja's fate, thereon, was tied to that of the few British officers around him.