‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎121v] (247/722)

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room and, falling upon tlie sleeping king, despatched him with a hundred
wounds^ gunr - se next c -j a y before this event was known. The moment it
became public, the army in Shisha dispersed. Some joined Haji Ibrahim;
others went to Husain Kuli Khan ; and many retired altogether from a scene
where they anticipated nothing but confusion
“ The body of Agha Muhammad, left unprotected, fell into the hands of the
Armenians "who for two days, in revenge for their wrongs, treated it with
every indignity, dragging it by the heels through the streets ; and to com-
le te their insult, they buried it in the common sewer of the town.
\o-ha Muhammad was a man of great abilities, but destitute of every virtue.
Avarice and cruelty were the predominant passions of his mind; the former
be carried to an extreme, of which no history furnishes an example.
a The cn-eat wisdom of Haji Ibrahim, the minister, and the fidelity of
Mirza Muhammad Khan Kajar, governor of Tih-
A.D. 1798. a^ded to the cruel precautions which Agha
Muhammad had taken, secured a quiet succession to Baba Khan. That prince,
who was at Shiraz, received the accounts of his uncle's fate on the 7th of
Muharram, 1212 Hijra, and instantly set out for the capital, where he
arrived in a few days and was acknowledged as sovereign.
“ The only person who made any opposition to his succession was Shadi
Khan Shakaki. That noble, who has been already mentioned, and
whose power was very great, marched with his tribe, who are numerous,
towards Tihran, and assumed the insignia and titles of royalty. Baba
Khan advanced towards Kasvin to meet him ; and an action was fought, in
which Shadi Khan was defeated. After this action that nobleman,
ashamed of his conduct, threw himself on the king’s clemency, who not only
pardoned him, but took him into favoui.
' “ Ismail Khalil Khan, of Shisha, observing this clement disposition m
the young monarch, sent the corpse of Agha Muhammad in great pomp,
and supplicated pardon for his past conduct. Baba Khan accepted his sub
mission, and had the body of his uncle conveyed in great state to be interred
at the holy Najaf. „ . , , . .
“ The V&li of Georgia also addressed a letter of allegiance and submission,
which was graciously received. The king gave strict orders for the apprehen
sion of his uncle’s murderers, all of whom were taken and put to death.
a Haji Ibrahim continued in the office of Yazir; and all the Umara in
the stations they had before held. This conduct diffused confidence through
all ranks, and the country began to assume the most promising aspect. This
peace was disturbed by the rebellion of Husain Kuli Khan, the king s
brother. That prince, who was governor of Ears, instigated by restless
and ambitious men, assumed the rank of sovereign and made preparations to
oppose his brother. ,
“ One of his first actions was to take Bushahr, which he easily effected;
the Shaikh and all the chief inhabitants making their escape in boats.
He next advanced to meet the king, who was approaching from Tihran.
When the armies were drawn out opposite to each other, and an engagement
was expected to begin ■ every moment, Husain Kuli Khan, to the utter
astonishment of his troops, rode off towards his brother’s line, attended by
a single horseman. The moment he came near, he alighted and kissed his
stirrup. Baba Khan dismounted and embraced him ; and a complete recon
ciliation took place. It is said this was chiefly effected^ by their mother,
who was almost distracted at the difference that had arisen between them.