'The dynasty of the Kajars translated from the original Persian manuscript presented by His Majesty Faty Aly Shah to Sir Harford Jones Brydges ... to which is prefixed a succinct account of the history of Persia previous to that period illustarted with plates and a map of Western Persia' [‎102] (123/684)

cii PRELIMINARY MATTER.
" to a mortal arbitrement," when the knife of an
assassin relieved Kerhn Khan from the chance of
war, and from an inconvenient partner and rival.
This event took place in 1752.
KERIM KHAN.
Sir John Malcolm opens the account he gives of
Kerim Khan with the following remark, to the truth
of which I most heartily subscribe The happy
" reign of this excellent prince, as contrasted with
" those who preceded and followed him, affords to
" the Historian of Persia that description of mixed
" pleasure and repose which a traveller enjoys who
" arrives at a beautiful and fertile valley, in the
" midst of an arduous journey over barren and
" rugged wastes."—It is true, that the first years of
Kerim Khan's struggle for power were marked by
the calamities common to a state of civil war; but
Persia, for nineteen years afterwards, enjoyed an
almost uninterrupted state of internal tranquillity,
external respect, and the advantages arising from
the benevolent and enlightened spirit of her ruler.
Although, by the death of Aly Murdan Khan,
Kerim Khan was relieved from the opposition oi
a very formidable rival, there still remained two
other persons, opponents of considerable power,
capable and desirous of preventing his arrival at the
supreme power of the State. One, in the person of
Azad Khan Afghan, who had possession of the great
and rich province of Azarba'ijan; and the other in
that of Muhammed Husain Khan Kajar, who was
master of the province of Mazenderan and several
of the adjoining districts. These chiefs continued