Page 63

30 striken with a most dreadful insanity. Some people are of the opinion that he was smothered to death by his cousin, Ashraff. Thus passed away the conqueror of Persia in the prime of his youth, for he was hardly twenty-seven at the time of his death. He was on the throne of Persia for the brief period of three years only. Mahmud was a brave soldier and a great conqueror. A greater conquest could not be achieved with the means at his disposal. All his weaknesses were atoned for by his energy and personal valour. He is said to have taken pride in being a strict observer of his word, when that was pledged. But from the very beginning of his reign in Persia, he was beset with innumerable difficulties. He surmounted most of them by sheer courage, but he could not withstand the jealousies and intrigues of his own kith and kin. This indeed broke his heart and turned him mad. Shah Ashraff (1725—1730). Mahmud was succeeded by his cousin, Ashraff, a man of talent and energy. But he came to power at a very critical time, when the Afghans in Persia were being threatened on all sides. The Russians were active in the north, while the Turks were