‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎121r] (246/722)

united in one cause, were not only distracted at this period by their internal
quarrels, but alarmed by an invasion of Usbaks. They in consequence
received Ao'ha Muhammad more as a friend than an enemy, and he advanced
to Mashhad without opposition. He made himself master of that city;
and Shah Rukh, who was blinded in a former revolution, fell into his
hands, with all his family, except his eldest son, Nasr Mirza, who made
his escape to Herat.
« Whether Agha Muhammad’s conduct to this family was prompted by
avarice or revenge of the early wrongs he had received from one of its
branches, or both, it is immaterial to imagine. The cruelties he committed
on them were shocking to nature. Round the head of Shah Rukh he
made a ring of paste, and poured boiling oil upon his crown. The excruciat-
i n rr torture forced that prince to confess where the remains of the jewels and
treasure brought from India by Nadir Shah were concealed; but the dis
covery did not save his life, of which he was deprived by the cruel means
mentioned. All the males of this unfortunate family were made eunuchs,
and the females, old and young, were distributed among the mule-drivers
of the army. After these and a thousand other actions of a similar nature,
Agha Muhammad returned to Tihran, leaving garrisons in Mashhad and
other forts in Khurasan.
«I a the year 1797 A.D., he learned that the Empress of Russia, resenting
his attack on the Georgians, had sent an army
A.D. 1797. amounting to 30,000 men, and that they had
advanced as far as the city of Ardabil. He immediately began preparations
to oppose them ; but before these were made, the death of the Empress
Catherine occasioned a change of measures in the Russian court, and the
troops were recalled. The king turned the great force he had collected
ao-ainst the fort of SMsha; which the governor, Ibrahim Kulbul, alarmed
at his numbers evacuated and fled. The moment Agha Muhammad received
this intelligence, he crossed the Aras with a small party, leaving the bulk
of his army under Haji IbraMm on the Persian side of that river. Ha
easily wot possession of Shisha, and began to exercise not only the most
wanton cruelties on the inhabitants, but on his own adherents ; and to take
such delight in shedding Mood, that it is affirmed he seldom said his prayers
without living signals in the midst of them to those around him to strike
off the heads of some with whom he was offended.
« But his fate was near. On the night of the 18th of Zi-l-Hijjat, as he was
soinw to rest, he called three of his personal servants and upbraiding them
for having lost or stolen one or two piastres, he told them to go and take
leave of their families and to say their prayers, as he would certainly put
them to death next morning. Retiring disconsolate from his presence,
they met Shadi Khan Shakaki, who had been playing at chess with the
kffiw and had lost a large sum, which had ruffled Ins temper; and on his
asking them the cause of their grief, they briefly stated what had occurred,
and fdded the certainty of the king doing as he had threatened. ‘If you
are assured of that,’ said Shddi Khan, ‘ where is the risk in a brave attempt
to save vour lives 5 ? Encouraged by this speech from a man of the first
rank in the state, they consulted together, and m two hours returned to the
chamber of Aghfl Muhammad, and f tlTisteh his r po“;
as from him, the guards to retire, lest they should disturb his epose. As
they were blown to be personal servants, the command was instant y
obeycT The guards had no sooner removed than they went into the