"تقرير عن كردستان" [و‎‎٤‎٨] (٢٢٠/١٠٠)

fort, Shaikh’Ali Khan rejoined Kerim Khan who retired after having set fire to
Senna.
In 1166 ’Aii Merdan Khan, Bakhtiyari, raised a numerous army and advanced
to Kirmanshah. He made a puppet of Shah Sultan Husain II who v*as in
Baghdad and pretending to be a son of Shah Sultan Husain claimed the Persian
throne ; his pretentions were supported by Mirza Mehdi Khan, secretary of Nadir
Shah, who came to Kirmanshah. He then marched to conquer Kurdistan-
At this news Hasan ’Ali Khan hurried to oppose him with his army and was
joined by Kerim Khan Zend, a bitter enemy of ’Ali Merdan Khan. The battle
was fought in the plain of Bilavar, and ’Ali Merdan Khan was captured as well as
his camp and baggage, and Shah Sultan Husain II was killed. Hasan Ah Khan
then returned to Kurdistan and Kerim Khan to Kirmanshah. ^
In 1167 A.H., when Azad Khan Afghan established his rule in Isfahan, he
qv p ha 1107 AH appointed governor of Kurdistan Selim Pasha, a Turk,
(1753-1754 A D ) ' ' who had taken refu g® vvith ^ and liad remained for
' 1 - • years in his camp. Hasan ’Ali was ordered to
Isfahan.
Two months later he obtained 4,000 tumans as a present from Selim Pasha,
and sent him Hasan ’Ali Khan in chains, whom Selim Pasha had hanged on htis
reaching Senna. This was the cause of the inhabitants rebelling and expelling
Selim Pasha, who fled to Muhammad Hasan Khan Kajar, then all-powerful at
Ashraf in Mazanderan; hoping that he would help him to regain possession of his
governorship.
Khusrau Khan, a son of Khan Ahmad Khan Ardalani, and for years a servant and
confidant of Muhammad Hasan Khan, informed his master of Selim Pasha s crime
and of his own aspirations. “ Thou knowest not Muhammad Hasan, replied the
Kajar “ i am not a man to forget services rendered me and appoint a stranger to
that district ” and later, “ thou knowest me not well; my word changes not, and
thou art chief of Kurdistan.”
Thus Khusrau Khan was appointed Vali and
reached Kurdistan in Moharram 1168. He was a
man of courage and intelligence, who amassed
great wealth, and for over 30 years his subjects enjoy
ed peace under his rule.
During his first vear as Yali of Kurdistan, Azad Khan Afghan, in fear of Kerim
Khan and through threats of Muhammad Hasan Khan Kajar, left Isfahan and pro
ceeded towards Azarbaijan. He marched by way of Hamadan to conquer Kurdistan.
It so happened that he came within two farsahhs of Senna and Khusrau Khan
was obliged to retire to the citadel and send orders to collect the Kurdish troops,
which were dispersed in the districts. Azad Khan remained 12 days outside
Senna, but had, on the arrival of the Kurdish troops, to flee towards Azarbaijan.
Khusrau Khan, leaving the town, pursued him as far as the frontier of Garrus,
and forced him to leave all he had in the hands of the Kurds.
Muhammad Hasan Khan Kajar, on hearing this news, sent Khusrau Khan
about 3,000 tumans and valuable presents.
This was the cause of great anger on the part of Kerim Khan. On the 15th
Jemadi-us-Sani 1172 A.H. Muhammad Hasan Khan Kajar was murdered by
Sabz ’Ali Astarabadi and Muhammad ’Ah Aga Davallu. Khusrau Khan from fear o
Kerim Khan then collected his troops, and repaired the various citadels of Kurdistan,
but Kerim Khan hearing of his anxiety sent him the khlat and firnum of Kurdistan,
and by his kindness completely reassured him. In 1173 A.H. when Kerim Khan
K 2
Khusrau Khan Buzurg,
1168-1176 A.H. (1754—1762
A.D.)