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

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KARIM KHAN.<br />

CHAPTER LXXIII<br />

THE SHORT-LIVED ZAND DYNASTY<br />

It is pleasing to recount the actions <strong>of</strong> a chief, who, though born in<br />

an inferior rank, obtained power without crime, and who exercised it with a<br />

moderation that was, in the times in which he lived, as singular as his justice<br />

and humanity. Sir<br />

JOHN MALCOLM on Karim Khan.<br />

Ahmad Khan, Durrani. The assassination <strong>of</strong> Nadir<br />

Shah was a signal<br />

for the break up <strong>of</strong> his composite army.<br />

The act <strong>of</strong> the conspirators was approved <strong>of</strong> by<br />

all its<br />

leaders except Ahmad Khan, Durrani, who commanded<br />

the Afghan and Uzbeg contingents.<br />

With this force,<br />

ten thousand strong, the Afghan chief sought to avenge<br />

his fallen leader, but he was defeated and retreated to<br />

Kandahar, where he founded a kingdom. The sinews <strong>of</strong><br />

war he obtained by the fortunate capture <strong>of</strong> a treasure<br />

convoy containing part <strong>of</strong> the spoils <strong>of</strong> Delhi, and among<br />

the jewels<br />

seized on this occasion was the famous diamond<br />

known as the Kuh-i-Nur, or " Mountain <strong>of</strong> Light," which<br />

now adorns the crown <strong>of</strong> the British sovereign. Ahmad<br />

Khan reduced the whole <strong>of</strong> Afghanistan and took both<br />

Herat and Meshed. He also invaded India repeatedly<br />

and annexed Kashmir, Sind, and part <strong>of</strong> the Panjab.<br />

He<br />

even held Delhi for a time. His great<br />

feat <strong>of</strong> arms was<br />

the defeat <strong>of</strong> the Marathas at Panipat in A.D. 1761.<br />

Adil Shah, A.H. 1160-1161 (1747-1748). Ali Kuli,<br />

nephew <strong>of</strong> Nadir, succeeded him on the throne under the<br />

title <strong>of</strong> Adil Shah, or " The Just." His first act was to<br />

issue a proclamation in which he accepted responsibility<br />

for the murder <strong>of</strong> a tyrant who " delighted in blood and,<br />

370

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