Alexander Dow (1735 – 1779), an employee of East India Company, was contemporary of Ahmad Shah Abdali. In his book published in 1768, he shares the information about the personality and looks of Ahmad Shah Abdali (collected through spies and informers of East India Company): -
"This prince is brave and active, but he is now in the decline of life. His appearance, on the whole, is majestic and expressive of an uncommon dignity and strength of mind. Though he is not so fierce and cruel as Nadir Shah, he supports his authority with no less rigour, and he is by no means less brave than that extraordinary monarch. He, in short, is the: most likely person now in India to restore the ancient power of the empire, should he assume the title of king of Delhi."
Ahmed Shah Abdali, circa 1755. From the Lahore Museum. Source
Ahmad Shah Abdali, c.1757. Mughal school. Bibliothèque nationale de France
Painting of Ahmad Shah Abdali and his Grand Wazir Shah Wali Khan, ca.1760s. From an untitled album of Indian miniatures, Ms, Bodleian Library.
Detail from a drawing (made in circa 1770 AD) showing Ahmad Shah Durrani on the horseback during the battle of Panipat (1761) By an anonymous artist in the Faizabad style. British Library.
This painting of Ahmad Shah Durrani was made around 1785-1790, and is inscribed: 'Hamed Shah Duranny'. British Library. Source
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