Purportedly a descendant of Genghis Khan, Shah Kator was the first ruler of Chitral who established his dynasty in 1585. It remained in power for 300 years, when, in 1895, the British invaded the area. It so happened that by the end of the nineteenth century, the movement of the Russian made the northern frontier areas strategically important for the British. They wanted to fall into an alliance with Chitral, when, in 1895, the area was hit by disorder on the issue of the succession of the ruler. Thos provided them with an opportunity to intervene. Under the command of Surgeon Major George Robertson, 480 troops entered into Chitral and placed Shuja-ul-Mulk, a fourteen-year old boy on the seat of the mehtur. This stirred a feeling of resentment amongst the Chitralis and the British troops and the young mehtur were besieged in the fort.
