Having firmly established his authority over the whole of Persia, Kurreem Khan continued to display the same moderation in the exercise of his power, as he had shown in the attainment of it. But his government was frequently disturbed by the turbulence and ferocity of his brother Zuckee Khan, who had once openly rebelled, but had been again received into favour. This chief was employed to quell some disturbances in Damghan and Mazenderan.
His track was every where marked by blood ; and it was upon this occasion that his inventive barbarity made a gar den of his enemies. " He directed the earth to be opened at equal distances, as if for the reception of trees, to form an avenue. Large branches were then cut, and a prisoner tied to each, with his head towards the root, which being placed where the ground was opened, the soil, as it was thrown in, produced a gradual suffocation." During the latter years of Kurreem Khan, the country enjoyed gene ral peace and security. Under his auspices, agriculture and- commerce had revived ; and though unlearned him self, his court was the resort of men of liberal knowledge, whose learning he valued and encouraged. He had fixed his residence at Shiraz, which he greatly improved and ornamented with magnificent buildings and luxuriant gar dens ; and seemed at all times anxious to promote the happiness and prosperity of the inhabitants of that favoured city. This good prince died at an advanced age, after having ruled Persia for twenty-six years, regretted and esteemed by all his subjects.
The character of Kurreem Khan has few features which naturally belong to despotism. He had never assumed the title of shah or king, contenting himself with that of vakeel or regent. He was distinguished for great lenity, and a manly simplicity of mind ; and possessed that noble courage which dares to pardon. His virtues were plain and intrinsic. He was humane, pious and just ; and was enabled to carry into almost every measure of his govern ment the best affections and feelings of human nature. His name is still venerated by the inhabitants of Persia ; and they long had cause to regret his loss.
The descendants of Kurreem Khan forfeited by their crimes that power which he had obtained by his virtues ; and were all, after twelve years of almost incessant war fare, supplanted by Aga Mahomed Khan Kujur, who be came sole ruler of Persia. The chiefs who ruled during this interval, were Zuckee Khan, the brother of Kurreem, who, to conceal his assumption of power, raised to the nominal sovereignty two sons of the late ruler : but his cruelties raised the indignation even of his own body-guard, by whom he was assassinated at Yezdikhaust. Saduck
Khan, another brother, then seized the government, which he held, for a short time, when he was dispossessed and put to death by Aly Moorad Khan, the nephew of Kurreem. This prince was of a firm and energetic character, and, had he lived, might have secured for a time the peace of this distracted kingdom. But being obliged, while suffer ing under a severe-illness, to march against Jaaffer Khan, the son of Saduck, who had revolted, and was proceeding towards the capital, fatigue and anxiety hastened his death. Jaaffer Khan immediately ascended the throne, which he filled for nearly three years, when he was poisoned at the instigation of two of his nobles whom he had imprisoned. He was succeeded by his son Looft Aly Khan, whose mild and conciliatory character gave promise of better fortunes to his fallen country. Though not yet twenty years of age, his mind had been matured by continual employment during his father's reign, and he was ranked among the best and bravest soldiers of his time. But his disposition seemed to change with his exaltation ; and instead of dis playing those kind and prepossessing manners for which he had been formerly distinguished, he became proud, self-willed, and suspicious. He still retained, however, the heroic and enterprising qualities of a consummate soldier, and long struggled against the most fearful odds in support of his birthright. But his almost romantic ex ploits will find a place in the history of his more fortunate rival.
Aga Mahomed Khan was the oldest son of Mahomed Hussein Khan Kujur, and had from his infancy been inured to misfortune. When only five years of age, he was a prisoner, and was emasculated by the cruel mandate of the successor of Nadir Shah. He afterwards accompa nied his father through all the vicissitudes of his fortune, and at his death fell into the power of Kurreem Khan, by whom he was treated with great favour and indulgence. During the reign of that prince, he was a prisoner at large in the city of Shiraz, with a liberal allowance to live upon, the use of the royal stud, and permission to hunt over the neighbouring country; and his extraordinary wisdom had so attracted the notice of Kurreem, that he frequently consulted him on questions of state policy. Upon the death of that ruler he fled to Mazenderan, where he had the dexterity to reconcile the jarring interests of his tribe, and to receive their support as a competitor for the crown of Persia.