Page 38

7 ambitious spirit, were reasons for his being suspected as the author of the past disturbances. He was therefore arrested and sent to Isfahan under a strong escort. Gurgin, having thus removed the thorn from his side, the only person who he dreaded and in whom he found all the qualifications necessary for a great leader, could now breathe more comfortably. He put a garrison in the citadel inside the city of Kandahar, and satisfied with keeping his Georgians round his person, disbanded the rest of the army. Mir Vais Khan, far from being disappointed by his banishment, tried to make the best of a bad bargain. He first of all endeavoured to study the Persians and get a first hand knowledge of the Court, then to utilize the opportunity for the liberation of this countrymen. The character of the Shah was too remarkable to escape his keen shrewd eyes. He was pleased to find him addicted to wine and women, which made him quite incapable of ruling his people properly. The real power was in the hands of a few favourites and eunuchs, who were the real disposers of the Government posts. All offices and dignities could be purchased and were given to those who paid