"دليل بلاد فارس، المجلد I ويشمل محافظات أستراباد، شاهرود-بوستان، خراسان، وسيستان" [و‎‎٣‎٤‎٥] (٧٢٢/٦٩٦)

643
A writer, who was in Khurasan the year before that province was invaded
by Agha Muhammad Khan, states a that the possessions of Ishak Khan
extend on the north to the gates of Mashhad, a distance of more than a
hundred miles, and they stretch almost as far south-east in the direction
of Khaf. His revenue is very considerable, and he maintains a force of
6,000 men; but he trusts more to policy than to arms for his future
security ” “ This extraordinary man,” he remarks, “has hitherto never
failed in conciliating,” when it was necessary, the good opinion and
confidence of his superiors. He is dreaded and hated by those who deem
themselves his equals,—who have seen, with envy and astonishment, the
success of all his measures; but no ruler was ever more beloved by his
subjects, and “ none,” continues his biographer, “ ever more merited to
be so; for he devotes himself to them. He manages all his own affairs ;
and in his most remote districts there are no great renters, or deputies, who
have the power to oppress his people. His mind is incessantly occupied ;
and he was never known to spend an idle moment.” “ No one,” this
writer observes, “ is entrusted with the secrets of this inscrutable man ;
but experience has led all to repose with confidence in his wisdom. He is
the first merchant in his country, and derives from this source half as
much revenue as he takes from his subjects. The integrity and regularity
of his dealings are so remarkable, that his bills are current not only in
Khurasan, but all over Kabul and Persia.”
“ His whole revenue is computed at a hundred thousand tumans
(fifty thousand pounds),* thirty thousand of which is stated to be from
his own estates, almost all of which he has purchased,—forty thousand
from his subjects, and twenty thousand profits of his merchandise. He is
said to have three thousand camels continually on hire with the caravans
between India and Persia. He exports all the dried fruits and other produce
of his own estates, and imports the produce of other countries, which he
sells.”
“ This chief,” the same author adds, “ reads a great deal, and is estimated
a good Arabian and Persian scholar. He is thoroughly versed in the history
both of his country and of neighbouring nations; and he appears careful
to give his sons the best possible education, particularly those by the
daughter of the chief of the Kara Tatars, whom he married soon after the
death of that noble. His politic preference of this part of his family, and
his declaration that the eldest son of this high-born lady shall be his heir,
has reconciled many of her tribe to his authority.
“The great relaxation which Ishak Khan permitted himself to enjoy
was, perhaps, of a nature more calculated to give stability to his power, as
it advanced bis reputation, than all the labour he underwent. Turbat-i-
Haidari, which he had raised from an inconsiderable village into a town of
consequence, was a place of great resort to pilgrims, merchants, and travel
lers. The Persians boast (not without some reason) that they excel all
other nations in the virtue of hospitality. It is natural, therefore, that
they should dwell with exultation on this part of the character of Ishak
Khan, whose ‘ mihman-kbana/ or hall of entertainment, which could
contain nearly five hundred guests, was always open; and from it none,
however low or of whatever persuasion, were excluded. The author before-
quoted remarks, that “ his hospitality and charity are so boundless, that
even the Hindus, who apply here, are supplied with money, that they
* At the present day not more than £33,500.