'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎156v] (319/820)

292 KAJ—KAJ
“ The chief among those were Husain Khan in Mazandaran, As’ad Khan
Afghan in Azarbaijan, ’AH Mardan Bakhtiari at Isfahan, and Karim Khan
Zand in ’Iraq. The contest for power raged with violence for nearly five
years. Fortune then declared for Karim Khan Zand. As’ad Khan Afghan
became his prisoner. Husain Khan Kajar and ’AH Mardan Bakhtiari fell
in battle. The more insignificant pretenders to sovereignty were all either
taken or fled, and peace was restored to Persia.
“ Aqa Muhammad Kajar, who had escaped from his confinement and
joined his father, was, on the latter’s death, made prisoner and brought,
with his brothers, to Shiiaz, where they were retained as hostages for the
good behaviour of their tribe by Karim Khan who, the better to secure
the family in hfs interests, married one of their sisters.
“ Husain Quli Khan, another son of Muhammad Husain Khan, and the
only one that was full brother to Aqa Muhammad (the others being of
different mothers), fled into the mountains of Mazandaran, > and raised
serious commotions in that quarter. These were, however, soon quelled ;
and Husain Quli was taken and put to death. He left two sons—the
eldest, Path ’All Khan (afterwards Path ’AH Sbah, and the second, Husain
Quli Khan). During the life of Karim Khan, Aqa Muhammad remained
at Shiraz, and was treated with icspect and confidence. Karim Khan
entertained the highest opinion of his abilities, and took no measure of
consequence without consulting him. When that prince expired, on the
13th of the month of Safar, 1193 Hijrah, 1779 A. D., the sister of Aqa
Muhammad immediately sent him intelligence of the important event,
and he lost not a moment at so critical a juncture. Attended by his
brothers, he left Shiiaz under the pretext of hunting, and fled to Mazan
daran, where, favoured by the contentions that ensued on Karim Khan’s
death, he arrived in safety, and was welcomed with joy by his tribe, who
collected from all quarters round his standard.
“ The troubles and revolutions in the provinces of Pars and ’Iraq left
him undisturbed in Mazandaran, and he made such excellent use of his
time, that in two years the whole province of Mazandaran and several
neighbouring districts were settled under his authority.
“ In the 3rd year, 1783 A.D., of this power, he advanced with all his
force against Tehran—which, under its gallant governor, Isma’il Khan,
who held it for ’AH Murad Khan, King of Pars, resisted his attacks for ten
months. After that period Aqa Muhammad succeeded in bribing some
of the principal officers, who assassinated their governor and admitted
him at night into tho town. He only enjoyed till the morning the fruits
of his treachery. When day appeared, the brother of Isma’il Khan, fired
with grievous despair, collected a few adherents and made a violent attack
on Aqa Muhammad, whom he repulsed with great loss from the city.
On the same day that this misfortune occurred, news arrived of ’AH Murad
Khan having marched from Isfahan with a large army to the rehef of
Tehran. Aqa Muhammmad instantly retired to Mazandaran, where he
was pursued by Shaikh Valz Khan, the son of ’AH Murad; and, unable to
resist such an enemy, Aqa Muhammad retreated as his enemy advanced,
and at last fled to the fort of Astarabad on the shores of the Caspian,
while the whole province of Mazandaran submitted to the conqueror—who.