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victims, for they created suspicion and fear in the mind of this illiterate tyrant. Dis- tinction of any kind called for punishment. Without a witness, without even a show of trial or an opportunity to defend, a large number of people fell victim to the insatiable wrath of this blood-thirsty monarch and his cruel followers. Suspicion was considered tantamount to proof and a trial invariably led to conviction. No one could dare to argue and no time was allowed for such purposes. As the days passed and reports of victory poured in from everywhere, the Bacha feel- ing firm and secure ruled with increasing cruelty and tyranny. After those orgies of bloodshed, he became quite indifferent to murder and totally incapable of pity or remorse. Confiscation of property, exile or simple death were deemed uncommon instances of his leniency. Most of the unfor- tunate victims were either blown up from the cannon's mouth or shot down; others were either beaten, bastinadoed, impaled, bayonet- ted or starved to death. Sprinkling of boiling oil over the body or putting the victims into large iron cages or cutting off their hands 46