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The flame of envy being kindled in the breasts of some Afghans on this account, they conspired to slay Aḥmad Shah. One of them, however, informed him of their intention, and he, having already been aware of their ill-will, was thereby only the more confirmed in his opinion. Accordingly he ordered Nur Muhammad Khân 'Alizai, and Mir Khan Afghân, and Muhabbat Khân Pôpalzai, and Kadû Khân, and 'Usmân Khâu Tôpchibashi, and some other Afghan Amirs, notorious for their turbulence and the ringleaders of the plot, to be killed whilst he was riding on the northern side of the city in the vicinity of a hill, which he surnamed on that day Maqsud-i-shah."
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
In the same year, which was the third of his reign, the desire of conquering Khurasan engrossed his mind. Accordingly he marched with a numerous army to Hirât, which city was at that time governed on behalf of Shah Rukh by Mir Khan 'Arab. The latter reported in a letter the intention of Ahmad Shah to Shah Rukh, whilst he himself prepared for defence. After Ahmad Shâh had arrived he besieged the city for four months, but no reinforcements from Shah Rukh made their appearance. As the siege then became protracted, the population was distressed by famine and surrendered the Khakastar Tower to the troops of Ahmad Shah, whereon the Durranis entered, and Amir Khân [supra, Mir Khân], who opposed them, was slain. After which the city fell into the power of the Afghâns. The next day Aḥmad Shah entered the place, but heard, after he had arranged the administration of the district, that Shah Rukh had raised a general levy of combatants and had reached a place called Turbat-i-Shekh Jâm. Acordingly he despatched five thousand picked sawars under the command of the Sardar Jahân Khan Pôpalzai to attack the eamp of Shah Rukh by surprise in the night. When the said Sardar had reached the just named locality and was informed that Shah Rukh had determined to retreat and was marching away, he attacked his rear-guard, of which he slew many and captured some, whom he brought in bonds to Hirât, and reported the state of affairs.
After arranging affairs in Hirât, and appointing Durvesh 'Ali Khan Hazara, to be governor of the city, Ahmad Shah marched in
[SEPTEMBER, 1887.
person with his army to annihilate Shah Rukh and to subjugate Mashhad. Shah Rukh, being powerless to wage war, took refuge in the city of Tas, where he remained for some time. Here every day two horsemen sallied forth with some of their retainers, skirmished with the outposts of the Durrâni army, killed many persons and then again returned leisurely to the city. On enquiry it was found that they were two grand-sons of Nadir [Shah], Quli Mirza and Nasru'llah by name.
After a protracted siege a great famine arose in the city of Mashhad, and Shah Rukh being frightened was ready to conclude peace and to this Ahmad Shâh consented. Accordingly the Shahzada Timûr, who became afterwards Timur Shah, and who had been kept as a hostage from the time of Nâdir, was released and surrendered to him. He likewise obtained a sum of money for consenting to abandon the siege.
He next marched to Nishapûr, which was in the possession of 'Abbas Qult Khan Bayât, who being under the necessity of defending himself, advanced to meet the Durrânî army, but was defeated in the first engagement, and took refuge in the city of Nishapûr, where he was besieged. Seeing that Ahmad Shah was full of strength, and himself vanquished, 'Abbas Quli Khan was perplexed and consulted Saifu'ddîn Khân, his paternal uncle, an aged man full of resources, who replied:
"If a foe cannot be broken by force,
The door of trouble is to be closed by stratagem.
Now, as the winter approaches, it will be proper to render the Durrani army inactive by negotiations for peace until the rigour of the season cools its ardour and deprives it of energy, whereon we shall rush upon it and defeat it:
When from severe cold and terrible frost, They are congealed like dead black blood, We shall on that occasion like the sun, Suddenly rush forth from the ambush. The mountains and dales by our assault Will be filled with shouts and lamentation, Blood enough will be shed, till like fishes The seven celestial spheres shall swim together."
Abbas Quli Khân approved of his uncle's advice, and began, with a perfect hypocrisy, negotiations, which he protracted during two
The purpose of the Shih,
