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equipped and armed with heavy guns, marched out to meet the Afghans in the open field. On the 8th of March 1722, the two armies came face to face on the plains of Gulnabad, some twelve miles east of the capital. The Afghans were ill-equipped and their number against that of the enemy was as one to three. Moreover, the long and tiring journey through the most inhospitable part of Persia had told unfavourably on their health. But they were men of character and resolution and had come all that way with the determination to conquer or die. They knew very well that in case of defeat none would be able to reach his motherland. They, therefore, fought with unusual courage. The Persians, after an initial success, were put to rout. The Afghans, following at their heels, laid siege to the capital.
Isfahan had at this time attained the height of its magnificence and glory, and had a population of over 6,00,000. It was well-fortified, protected with a heavy wall and a deep ditch. The Afghans, equipped as they were with primitive weapons, were unable to assault it. They, therefore, resolved to intercept the supplies. It seemed a wild project to
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.