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of Samarcand and Bokhara, which were the great central cities of the sultan's dominions. CHAPTER XIX. THE FALL OF BOKHARA. 1218-1219 Description of the town Bokhara.--Zarnuk.--An immediate surrender.--Nur.--Fate of Nur.--The siege of Bokhara commenced.--The sultan's anxiety.--Intercepted letters.--The deserter.--The outer wall taken.--Grand sortie made by the garrison.--Evacuation of the town.--Pursuit.--The fugitives overtaken.--Surrender.--Conditions made.--The governor of the citadel.--Genghis Khan enters the city.--Valuables surrendered.--The emperor in the mosque.--Desecration of the mosque.--Genghis Khan makes a speech.--The inhabitants give up every thing.--Conflagration.--Surrender of the citadel.--The town utterly destroyed.--News of the fall of Otrar.--Plans for the defense of Otrar.--Sorties.--The proposal made to Genghis Khan.--The siege renewed.--The outer walls taken.--Desperate conflicts.--Kariakas and the governor.--Treason.--Punishment of treason.--The Monguls enter the town.--Citadel stormed.--Desperation of the governor.--Courage and devotion of his wife.--The governor's fate. Bokhara was a great and beautiful city. It was situated in the midst of a very fine and fertile country, in a position very favorable for the trade and commerce of those days. It was also a great seat of learning and of the arts and sciences. It contained many institutions in which were taught such arts and sciences as were then cultivated, and students resorted to it from all the portions of Western Asia. The city proper was inclosed with a strong wall. Besides this there was an outer wall, thirty miles in circumference, which inclosed the suburbs of the town, and also a beautiful region of parks and gardens, which contained the public places of amusement and the villas of the wealthy inhabitants. It was this peaceful seat of industry and wealth that Genghis Khan, with his hordes of ruthless barbarians, was coming now to sack and plunder. The first city which the Monguls reached on their march toward Bokhara was one named Zarnuk. In approaching it a large troop rode up toward the walls, uttering terrific shouts and outcries. The people shut the gates in great terror. Genghis Khan, however, sent an officer to them to say that it was useless for them to attempt to resist him, and to advise them to surrender at once. They must demolish their citadel, he said, and send out all the young and able-bodied men t
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