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Machine transcription
The letter ran thus :-" At this crisis when the choice lies between the safety of my relatives and the safety of the nation, I do not hesitate to sacrifice the former. I, therefore, command you to begin bombardment of the Arg immediately without the slightest consideration for our dear ones." The Sardar on receiving the order did not flinch for a moment. With tears in his eyes, he began to bombard the Arg. During the night a fruitless assault was made, for the artillery fire of the enemy held them back. Next day the bombardment was resumed. The magazine inside the castle caught fire. The garrison soon lost heart. Even the Bacha realized that his days were numbered. Under cover of darkness he made good his escape. The lashkar now entered the burning Arg and were relieved to find all the members of the Marshal's family safe. But the major portion of the beautiful Arg was burnt to ashes. The news of this success was at once communicated to the Marshal in Ali Khel. People from all parts of the country flocked to the capital. On the 16th October, the Marshal reached Chehl Stoon and at 10 the
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Roughly two thirds of characters agree with a modern printed edition of the same text. Much of the disagreement is editorial, not misreading. Treat the transcription as a finding aid and read the page image before quoting. How this was measured.