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watching the procedure. At last he decided to intervene and to use his influence in solving this intricate problem. Addressing the audience he said, "Gentlemen, give up this useless discussion. God has created Ahmad Khan to fill up this job. Gather round his standard to avoid His wrath." This intercession had the desired effect. All the contending chiefs immediately withdrew their claims in favour of Ahmad Khan, who was well-known for his ability and zeal. The divine was pleased to see this. He went out and brought a wreath made from the sheaves of wheat with him. This he placed on Ahmad Khan's head, pronouncing, "May this serve you as a crown". All the chiefs came forward to pay homage to him. Ahmad Khan thus became the elected king of the Afghans.
AHMAD SHAH-I-ABDALI (1747-1773). Ahmad Khan, who is henceforth called Ahmad Shah, was the chief of Sadozai clan, a branch of the Abdalis. He is, therefore, variously entitled—Abdali, Sadozai or Durrani. The last title, it is said, he took in consequence of a dream, wherein he was addressed as Dur-i-Darran (the Pearl of Age) or Dur-i-Durran (the Pearl of Pearls).
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.