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tracting news. He collected all his troops and hastened to the north to attack the Persians. Nadir and Tahmasap, who were busy in Khurasan, were forced to return to relieve Samnan besieged by Ashraff. Saidal Khan, one of the Afghan generals, advanced eastwards to meet Nadir. After an unsuccessful attempt at Bistam, Saidal fell back as far as Mihmandust, 12 miles north-east of Damaghan. It was here that he was joined by Ashraff. At this place a battle took place on the 2nd of October, 1729, that decided the fate of Persia. Ashraff found the enemy strongly entrenched. The Afghans, though exhausted by the long and tiresome journey, could not desist from the temptation of instantly attacking the Persians in their strong position. They impetuously charged the enemy's centre and then attacked the flanks. The Persians received the shock calmly; they staggered but did not give way. The Afghans made a second assault, many fell, the rest pressed on, but the main Persian army stood their ground unflinchingly. Much havoc was caused by their artillery, which destroyed the Afghan Zamburaks and inflicted heavy casualties on the soldiers.
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