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 brother of the late Shah, who had remained at Kasveen; and he further despatched his own brother to punish him for his remissness, and to bring him to the royal presence.

The young king then set out for his capital, and on the way he was met by his ambitious uncle, whose adherents had dispersed at Kasveen, and who had no alternative but to throw himself upon the royal clemency. We are told by the Persian historian that, before setting out on his last expedition, Aga Mahomed Khan had sent for his heir, and had given him certain instructions, which might guide his conduct in the event of his suddenly being called upon to assume the reins of power. One of these charges was that in the case of Ali Kuli Khan's disputing the throne with his nephew, and the latter overcoming him, he should beware of listening to the intercession of the queen-mother in his favour; and accordingly we read that the first act of the young king after his arrival at Tehran, was to refuse the petition of the aged sultana for mercy to the prince, and to cause the eyes of his uncle to be put out, and his person to be conveyed to Balferoosh. After this, on the 4th of the month of Sefr, 1212, Fetteh Ali Shah ascended the throne of Persia.