shah nadir khan, a member of the royal family who was living in retirement in the riviera and who watched the disruption of the country and its gradual relapse into anarchy with deep concern, returns to afghanistan. he had been minister of war in 1919, and had won for himself a position of unique influence among the tribes. in 1925, not being able to agree with king amanullah, he had gone as afghan minister to france, but after holding that post for two years he had resigned and gone to live in the riviera for the benefit of his health. he now determined to return to his native land, ostensibly to look after the interests of his relatives there, but really to see whether he could do anything to restore peace and unity to the country. he reached peshawar on february 25 - the same day as sir francis humphrys - and on march 6, in company with one of his brothers, sardar shah wali khan, crosses the frontier. habibullah has made preparations for receiving him at kabul, but instead of proceeding thither he joins another brother of his, sardar shah mahmud khan, at khost. habibullah thereupon orders his house to be looted and imprisons some members of his family in kabul. nadir does not attach himself to any of the rival amir's, but seeks to bring about the convocation of a "jirga" (tribal assembly) which should proclaim an amir of the whole country. at the same time he tries to induce habibullah to submit his claims to such a "jirga". he writes him a letter telling him that he made a mistake in declaring himself king, as he had no qualifications for such a position, and inviting him to call a conference for the purpose of selecting a ruler, adding that, if he refused to cooperate, he (nadir khan) would use his influence with the tribesmen against him. shortly afterwards, nadir sends another letter to habibullah couched in most conciliatory terms, and assuring him that if he abdicated in favour of amanullah, or any other member of the royal family, he would receive a full and honourable pardon. these overtures produce no effect.