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should acknowledge Sirdar Shair Ali Khan as my successor. To day
the Sirkar's illness is grave and there is no hope for his survival.
With your consent and approval I wish to make my successor Sirdar
Shair Ali Khan. What is your opinion? All the elders who were present
agreed to the command of the king and said that may this decision prove
auspicious. After that he placed his own turban upon the head of Sirdar
Shair Ali Khan, and fastened his own sword to the girdle of his son.
All this was enacted in front of the big and the small, all high
ranking officers and the army. All acknowleged Sirdar Shair Ali khan
as the king presumptive and congratulated him. After that the Amir
gave an advice for unity and the necessity of preserving unity, and
commanded that all should obey Sirdar Shair Ali Khan. When this was
finished, the Amir emphasised the necessity and urgency of reducing the
Herat citadel with all possilble haste, and exhorted his men to launch
an attack on the city. He wished that the city be captured during
his life time, adding that as he had not long to live the sooner
the city was reduced the happier he would feel as their king, so
that he may return to his God after that event.
The heads of the armies and the Sirdars were greatly impressed
by the king's "last words" and preparations were set on foot to
launch a strong attack upon Herat as a result of which prince Shah
Nawaz Khan and the inhabitants opened the gates of Herat on 8th of
Ziqad 1278 A.H.and under the instructions of the new king the city
was occupied. The last wish of Amir Dost Mohamed Khan was thus
fulfilled and in conformity with the occasion much rejoining took
place on the fall of the city, in all cities and provinces.
* * *
AMIR SHAIR ALI KHAN STRUGGLES WITH HIS
BROTHERS
ARTICLE FORTY FIFTH
The period of reign of Amir Shair Ali Khan beginning from the end
of the year 1278 A. H. to the beginning of the year 1283 A.H.
meanig a period of four and a half years, despite all the good
intentions which he had to serve the best interests of the king-
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.