350 
REBELLION OF MAHOMED ZEMAUN KHAN. 
defiance to the Shah and his power.” The Turcomans, happy in such an 
ally, agreed to his proposals ; a large body of their troops were im¬ 
mediately admitted into Astrabad, and the guard of the walls and 
gates was confided to them. It is probable that they would have also 
engaged the people of the city to second his cause, if he had not taken 
the impolitic step of sending the principal inhabitants and persons of 
consideration to a strong fortress in the possession of the Turcomans 
by way of hostages for his own good faith. This proved his ruin, for 
to this may be ascribed the success that awaited the measures adopted 
by the Persian government. 
As soon as the King was apprised of Mahomed Zemaun Khan’s re¬ 
bellion, he moved his camp from Firouz koh to Cheshmeh Ali, and 
dispatched a messenger to him with a firman, ordering him to return 
to his obedience on pain of his displeasure. The messenger was ill treated, 
and the firman was not permitted to be read. The King then issued 
three firmans, one to the Khan, another to the Seyids, and a third to the 
Rayats or the body of the people, and confided them to a messenger 
who was introduced into the city dressed as a labourer. To the first he 
threatened the severest punishment if he did not immediately deliver 
himself up ; to the second he enjoined an active interference against the 
rebel; and to the third he promised reward and protection, provided 
they seized and delivered to him the person of the Khan, but the most 
severe vengeance and extortion if they gave him the smallest help or 
countenance. 
Mahomed Zemaun Khan treated the second firman in the same man¬ 
ner as the first. But those addressed to the Seyids and the Rayats pro¬ 
duced their desired effect; for both these parties, secretly holding a 
meeting, and reflecting upon the great power of the King when com¬ 
pared to the small means of the rebel, determined unanimously to seize 
the latter and deliver him over to his Majesty. 
Accordingly, the people of Astrabad, aided by some of the Khan’s own 
servants, collected themselves into a body, surrounded his palace, and be¬ 
fore he and the Turcomans who were with him could have time to defend 
themselves, forced their way into the place where he was seated, seized 
