"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎١‎٩‎٨] (١٧٨٢/١٣٥٣)

I
1198
Pasha, was still governor; but his principal opponent was an ex-Vazir of the
Turkish Empire, named Tupal 'Othman or 'Othman the Lame, who had
been specially sent from Constantinople to command the Sultan's
forces against the Persians. This 'Othman has been described as a man
"justly celebrated by Christian as well as Mahomedan writers, ... and who
" was not only skilful, sage, and valiant, but who gave proofs of a noble
" spirit of generosity and gratitude, such as does honour to human
natuie. iS T .idii Shah, leaving a considerable force in the trenches
before Baghdad, advanced with his main body against Topal 'Othman.
who was encamped near Samarrah on the Tigris ; and in that vicinity, on
or about the 18th of July 1733, was fought one of the bloodiest engage
ments that ever took place between Turks and Persians. It resulted after
a furious combat lasting eight hours, in the complete overthrow and
rout of Nadir Shah's army, which was not rallied until it reached
Hamadan ; and Ahmad Pasha, on receiving news of the Turkish victory,
sallied out against the Persian division investing Baghdad and drove them
off with great slaughter, few of them, it was said, regaining Persia in
safety, except a party commanded by Mali mud Khan, Baluch. Within
three months Nadir Shah, whom this disaster had not dispirited, invaded
TuiKi'sh territory with a fresh army ; a battle followed, in which the
Persians weie victorious; and Topal "'Othman himself who was infirm
and generally rode in a litter, was among the slain. His head was
brought to Nadir Shah, who caused it to be sent with all honour to
the Turkish camp.
C'i"eat offence was given to Nadir Shah by the action of the British at
BU 1 mo 735 BaSrah ^ helpin ^ 0r P re P arin S to help, the Turks in the defence of that
place against a Persian force, apparently in 1735. What actually
occurred is not known ; but the circumstances provoked a demand by Nadir
Slah that the British should expiate their fault by rendering him assistance
against Basrah, and in connection therewith it is remarked in a Bombay
Presidency Diary, under the date 22nd October 1 735, that "the unlucky
I' affair j.t Basrah (of which the private traders only reaped the
vanta^e^ first gave lise to these troubles." The authorities at Bombay,
owever, doubtful as to the manner in which a loan of vessels by
sehes to the Persians might be regarded in Europe and fearing that
ght excite th? Turks to take extreme measures against the British at
^ a ' r ' -i^ed the Agent at Bandar 'Abbas not to place any of
^ p temporarily at the disposal of the Persians ; but they authorised
him, in case their intereets in Persia could not be secured by" any other
W a s, to lesoit to the safer expedient of sale, and two ships were eventually
Persian
attacks on