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Sykes' History of Persia Vol 2 (pdf) - Heritage Institute

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354 HISTORY OF PERSIA<br />

the fortifications formidable, we would not permit our army to<br />

assault it.<br />

An immense treasure, a number <strong>of</strong> elephants, part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

artillery <strong>of</strong> the Emperor, and rich spoils <strong>of</strong> every description were<br />

the reward <strong>of</strong> our victory. Upwards <strong>of</strong> twenty thousand <strong>of</strong> the<br />

enemy were slain on the field <strong>of</strong> battle, and a much greater<br />

number were made prisoners. Immediately after the action was<br />

over, we surrounded the Emperor's army, and took measures to<br />

prevent all communication with the adjacent country ; preparing<br />

at the same time our cannon and mortars to level with the ground<br />

the fortifications which had been erected.<br />

As the utmost confusion reigned in the imperial camp, and all<br />

discipline was abandoned, the Emperor, compelled by irresistible<br />

necessity, after the lapse <strong>of</strong> one day, sent Nizam-ul-Mulk, on<br />

Thursday, the seventeenth Zilkadeh (igth February), to our royal<br />

camp and the<br />

; day following, Mohamed Shah himself, attended<br />

by his nobles, came to our heavenlike presence, in an afflicted<br />

state<br />

Ẇhen th e Emperor was approaching, as we are ourselves <strong>of</strong> a<br />

Turkoman family, and Mohamed Shah is a Turkoman, and the<br />

lineal descendant <strong>of</strong> the noble House <strong>of</strong> Gurkan, we sent our dear<br />

son Nasrulla Khan beyond the bounds <strong>of</strong> our camp to meet him.<br />

The Emperor entered our tents and we delivered over to him the<br />

signet <strong>of</strong> our Empire. He remained that day a guest in our royal<br />

tent. Considering our affinity as Turkoman, and also reflecting<br />

on the honours that befitted the majesty <strong>of</strong> a king <strong>of</strong> kings, we<br />

bestowed such upon the Emperor, and ordered his royal pavilions,<br />

his family, and his nobles to be preserved<br />

: and we have established<br />

him in a manner equal to his great dignity.<br />

<strong>Persia</strong>ns love to recount how Nadir, in boasting <strong>of</strong><br />

his hardihood, swore to Mohamed Shah that during the<br />

whole campaign he had never changed his clothes. To<br />

prove the accuracy <strong>of</strong> his statement, he tore open<br />

his tunic<br />

to show his under garments, which were worn to pieces.<br />

The Surrender <strong>of</strong> Delhi and its Spoils.<br />

Nadir marched in<br />

triumph into Delhi, where he was entertained in the most<br />

sumptuous fashion by Mohamed Shah, who handed over<br />

to him the amassed wealth <strong>of</strong> his ancestors.<br />

Among the<br />

trophies was the celebrated Peacock Throne, described by<br />

1<br />

Tavernier as follows :<br />

The largest throne, which is set up<br />

in the hall <strong>of</strong> the first<br />

1<br />

Curzon (vol.<br />

i. pp. 317-22) proves that the Peacock Throne at Teheran was made<br />

during the reign <strong>of</strong> Fath Ali Shah.

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