OP NADIR SHAH, SiC. 533 



LETTER I. 



[Written hefore Nadir Shah ascended the throne,) 

 addressed to Muhammed Ali Khan, Bf^Jerbcif of 

 Fars ; and giving an account of the coiiqutst of Herat, 



JL O the highest of the exalted in station_, tne Chief of 

 the great Nobles Muhammed Ali Khan, these happy- 

 tidings be conveyed. 



Aided by the bounty of an all powerful Creator, 

 and the happy auspices of the house of Haider * and 

 the twelve holy Imams (on whom be eternal mercy,) 

 with my crescent formed and all subduing scimitar, 

 which in glory resembles the recent moon, and with 

 my powerful and victorious army, and soldiers of pro- 

 pitious destiny, le/z^j are those sent from heaven-^, 1 

 have, under the influence of good fortune, surpassed 

 all others in the capture of fortresses and cities. 



At this happy and auspicious period, the host of 

 Jifghans of the tribe of Abdalli, who fled from the 

 edge of the conquering swords of my dragon-like 

 warriors, retired, as a spider within its web .j:, into the 

 fort of Herat. Their hearts were distracted with fear, 

 and the pillars of patience and fortitude, that had sup- 

 ported their resolution, were cast down. Reduced to 



* Alt. Here tbe tribe of 5//mA5 -are meant, who are supposed 

 to be under Ali's prorection, and in fact part of his family. _ 



t Sentences marked in italics, a\e passages from the Koran, of 

 which 1 have concisely rendered the meaning- 



+ From the Koran. The passage literally dignities " like unto the 

 spider that maketh himself a house." Hiit the weakest o| 

 houses surely is the spider's. 



M m 3 



