Moulana Abdal-rahman Jâmi, which he partly wrote and partly collected. The object of it is to enable every person to find in it a letter suited to any business on which he may desire to write. He also wrote the Mizân-al-Auzân (the Measure of Measures) on Prosody, in which he is very incorrect; for, in describing the measures of twenty-four rûbais (quatrains), he has erred in the measures of four; he has also made some mistakes regarding other poetical measures, as will be evident to any one who has attended to the structure of Persian verse. He besides completed a diwân1 in Persian, and in his Persian compositions he assumed the poetical name of Fâni. Some of his Persian verses are not bad, but the greater part of them are heavy and poor. He has also left excellent pieces of music; they are excellent both as to the airs themselves and as to the preludes. There is not upon record in history any man who was a greater patron and protector of men of ingenuity and talent than Ali Shîr Beg. Usta Kûli Muhammed, the celebrated Sheikhi, and Hussain Aûdi, who were so distinguished for their skill in instrumental music, attained their high eminence and celebrity by the instructions and encouragement of Ali Shîr Beg. Ustâd Behzâd and Shah Muzaffer owed the extent of their reputation and fame in painting to his exertions and patronage; and so many were the excellent works which owed their origin to him, that few persons ever effected anything like it. He had no son, nor daughter, nor wife, nor family: he passed through the world single and unencumbered. At first he was keeper of the signet; in the middle part of his life he was invested with the dignity of Beg, and held the government of Asterâbâd for some time. He afterwards renounced the profession of arms, and would accept of nothing from the Mirza; on the contrary, he annually presented him with a large sum of money as an offering. When Sultan Hussain Mirza returned from the Asterâbâd campaign, the Beg came out of the city to meet him; between the moment of the Mirza's saluting him and his rising, he was affected with a sudden stroke, which prevented his getting up, and he was obliged to be carried off. The physicians were unable to render him any assistance, and next morning he departed to the mercy of God. One of his own couplets was highly applicable to his situation :—

(Turki.)-I perish of a mortal disease, though I know not what it is;

In this disease, what remedy can physicians administer?

Another of Sultan Hussain's Begs was Wali Beg, who was of the race of Hâji Seif- Wali Beg. ed-din Beg. He was one of the Mirza's principal Begs, but did not long survive that Prince's accession to the throne.

Hassan
Taimur.

Another of them was Sheikh Hassan Taimur, who had been in high favour with Sheikh Baber Mirza, by whom he was elevated to the rank of Beg. Another of them was Neviân Beg. His father was of the Syeds of Termez, and his Nevian mother was of the same extraction. Sultan Abusaîd Mirza patronised him greatly, and he was the Beg who stood highest in the confidence of Ahmed Mirza. When

1 The Persian diwân is a series of poems, in which each letter of the alphabet in its turn furnishes the rhyme.

2 Every Persian poet has a takhellus, or poetical name, which he introduces into the last couplet of each ode.

3 One of Sultan Abusaîd's sons, and king of Samarkand.

Beg.

Jehangir
Birlås.

Mirza
Ahmed Ali
Fârsi.

Abdal Khâ

lik Beg.

Ibrâhim
Duladái.

Zûlnûn
Arghûn.

he went to Sultan Hussain Mirza, he was received by him with marked favour and promoted. He was a profligate, jolly, drinking, debauched libertine. Hassan Yâkub, from having been in his father's service, was frequently called Hassan Neviân.

Another was Jehangîr Birlâs, who was for some time joint governor of Kâbul with Muhammed Burendûk. He afterwards went to the court of Sultan Hussain Mirza, and was graciously received. His manners and deportment were remarkable for elegance and politeness. He was of a gay lively temper, and a great favourite of Badîaez-zemân Mirza. He never forgot that Prince's attachment to him, and always spoke of him in terms of praise.

Another was Mirza Ahmed Ali Fârsi.

Another was Abdal Khâlik Beg, whose grandfather, Firoz-Shâh Beg, having received high marks of favour from Shahrokh Mirza, this nobleman was from him called Abdal Khâlik Firoz-Shâhi. He held the government of Khwârizm for some time.

Another of them was Ibrâhim Duladâi, who was profoundly skilled in the revenue accounts, and in the course of public business. He was a second Muhammed Berendûk.

Another was Zûlnûn Arghûn, a brave man. He distinguished himself above all the other young warriors, in the presence of Sultan Abusaîd Mirza, by his use of the scymitar, and afterwards, on every occasion on which he went into action, he acquitted himself with distinction. His courage is unimpeached, but certainly he was rather deficient in understanding. He left the service of our Mirzas, and betook himself to Sultan Hussain Mirza, who conferred on him the government of Ghûr and the Nukderi country. With only seventy or eighty followers, he performed several very gallant exploits in that quarter. With but a handful of men he bravely vanquished and reduced large and numerous bodies of Hazâras and Nukderis; and these tribes were never so effectually settled and kept in order by any other person. Some time afterwards he also got the Zemîn-Dâwer.' His son Shah Shuja Arghûn, though a boy, accompanied his father in his expeditions, and sword in hand displayed great valour. Sultan Hussain Mirza, to gratify the father's feelings, gave Kandahâr to be held by the father and son in common. Afterwards, however, this father and son stirred up dissension between their sovereign and his son, and were the cause of dangerous rebellions. In the same year in which I took Khosrou Shah, and separated him from his adherents and retainers, I likewise took Kâbul from Mokîm, the youngest son of Zûlnûn Arghûn ; in consequence of which, Zûlnûn and Khosrou Shah, being both reduced to great difficulties, repaired to Sultan Hussain Mirza's court. After the demise of Sultan Hussain Mirza, Zûlnûn rose to very high rank, and the countries on the Damenkoh (skirts of the mountains) of Heri, such as Ubeh and Chakhcherân,2 were given to him. He was Badîa-ez-zemân's prime adviser, as Muhammed Berendûk Birlas was Mozaffer Mirza's. Though a man of courage, he was ignorant, and somewhat crazed.

1 The country of Zemîn-Dâwer lies west of Kandahår, on the right bank of the Helmend, reaching from Sirbesha, under the Hazâra hills, to the Helmend.

2 Ubeh lies about one degree east of Herât; Chakhcherân lies four degrees east by south among the Hazara hills.

Had it not been for this craziness and ignorance, he never would have made himself the dupe of such gross flattery, and exposed himself to scorn in consequence. The story is this: When he was prime minister, and in the chief confidence at Heri, several Sheikhs and Mûllas came and told him that they had had an intercourse with the spheres, and that the title of Hezeber-ulla (the Lion of God) had been conferred on him; that he was predestined to defeat the Uzbeks, and make them all prisoners. He, implicitly believing all this flattery, tied a kerchief round his neck, and returned thanks to God. When Sheibâk Khan fell upon the Mirzas in the territory of Badghîs, prevented their junction and discomfited them, Zûlnûn was in Kara Rebât with a hundred or a hundred and fifty men, and relying on this prediction, boldly kept his ground, and made head against Sheibâk Khan. No sooner had Sheibâk's numerous troops come up, than this small body was surrounded and taken on the spot. Zûlnûn was made prisoner and put to death. He was a pious and orthodox believer, never neglected saying the appointed prayers, and frequently repeated the supererogatory ones. He was madly fond of chess; if a person played at it with one hand, he played at it with his two hands. He played without art, just as his fancy suggested. He was the slave of avarice and meanness.

Another of the nobles was Derwish Ali Beg, who was the younger brother of the Derwish Ali Beg. full blood of Ali Shîr Beg, and for some time held the government of Balkh, which he managed creditably. He was, however, a muddle-brained, wrong-headed, dull man. Sultan Hussain Mirza, when he first advanced against Kundez and Hissâr, was baffled through his stupidity, and forced to retreat; on which account he was dismissed from his government of Balkh. In the year 916, when I went to Kundez, he 1510. joined me. He was a buffoon, and a silly fellow, as unfit for the exercise of dignified authority, as incapable of the virtues of social life. The favour which he experienced was entirely on account of his brother Ali Shîr Beg.

Another of them was Moghul Beg, who for some time possessed the government of Moghul Heri, and afterwards got that of Asterâbâd. From Asterâbâd he fled to Irâk to Yâ- Beg. kub Beg. He was of a low turn, and eternally gambling with dice.

Another was Syed Beder, who was a man of great strength, and of very sweet Syed Beder. manners. He was highly skilled in the elegant arts, and danced singularly well, exhibiting dances of the most uncommon sort, of which he was generally himself the inventor. He was always in the Mirza's immediate service, was his boon companion, and his comrade in his drinking-bouts.

Another was Sultan Juneid Birlâs, who latterly went into the service of Sultan Sultan JuAhmed Mirza. This is the Sultan Juneid Birlâs whose father is at present associated neid Birlas. with him in the government of Jonpûr.

Another was Sheikh Abusaîd Khan Der-mian (in the midst). I do not know whe- Sheikh ther it was from having brought the Mirza a horse in the middle of a fight, or from Abusaid warding off the blow of an enemy by interposing between him and the Mirza, that he

gained this appellation.

Khan.

Another was Behbûd Beg, who at first served in the band of young soldiers. As Behbud

1 This is an idiom expressive of his great keenness.

Beg.

Sheikhem
Beg

Muham.

med Wali

Beg.

he did good service in the Mirza's expeditions, in reward of it, his name was inscribed on the Temgha and Sikka.1

Another was Sheikhem Beg. As he bore the poetical name of Soheili, he was generally called Sheikhem Soheili. He composed a sort of verses, in which both the words and sense are terrific, and corresponding with each other. The following is one of his couplets:

"During my sorrows of the night, the whirlpool of my sighs bears the firmament from its place ; The dragons of the inundation of my tears bear down the four quarters of the habitable world."

It is well known that, on one occasion, having repeated these verses to Moulâna Abdal Rahmán Jámi, the Mulla said, "Are you repeating poetry, or terrifying folks?" He composed a Diwán, and was likewise the author of various Mesnevis.

Another was Muhammed Wali Beg, the son of the Wali Beg who has been mentioned. He latterly became a great Beg in the Mirza's court; but notwithstanding his high rank, he never abated of his service, but day and night was constantly at court; insomuch that he even paid his allowances to his retainers, and made his distributions of food, at the palace. One who pays such assiduous court, is sure to meet with corresponding favour. It is a heavy calamity now-a-days, when one who gets the name of Mîr invites and calls in to him five or six scabbed, blind fellows, to create trouble and confusion in the palace. But where is the other kind of service to be found? The present practice of the Begs only serves to evince their want of liberality. The food and distributions of victuals made by Muhammed Wali Beg, on the contrary, were always respectable. He kept his servants in a good style, and in handsome attire. He bestowed much with his own hand on the poor, and on mendicants. He was, however, a foul-mouthed, bad-tongued man. When I took Samarkand in the year A. D. 1511. 917, Muhammed Wali Beg, and Derwish Ali Kitâbdâr (the librarian), were with me. At that time he had been struck with a palsy, and had no remains of anything agreeable either in his language or manners. He did not seem equal to the favours that had been shown him; and probably the assiduity of his service had assisted in elevating him to his high rank.

Baba Ali. Another of Sultán Hussain Mirza's nobles was Bâba Ali, the Ishek-Agha (or Master of Ceremonies). He was at first in the service of Ali Shîr Beg, but afterwards, on account of his bravery, he was taken into the Mirza's service, and appointed IshekAgha. He attained the rank of Beg. Yunis Ali, who is now a Beg with me, and in my intimate confidence, and who hereafter will be mentioned, is a son of his.

Bedereddin.

Hassan Ali

Jeláir.

Another was Bedereddîn, who first served with Mîrek Abdalrahîm, the Sedder (or Justiciary) of Sultan Abusaîd Mirza. He was a very alert and nimble man ; it is said that he could leap over seven horses at once. He and Bâba Ali were intimate friends. Another was Hassan Ali Jeláir. His proper name was Hussain Ali Jelâir ; but he was generally called Hassan Ali. His father, Ali Jelâir, was in the service of Baber Mirza, by whom he was raised to the rank of Beg. Afterwards, when Yâdgâr Mu

1 That is, on the royal seal or stamp, and on the coin. This seems a singular compliment to a subject not of the highest rank.

? His name was Mîr Ahmed Soheili. The Anvâre Soheili is dedicated to him.

Abdalla

Marwârid.

hammed Mirza took Heri, there was no man in higher estimation in his service than Ali Jelâir. Hassan Ali Jelâir was Grand Falconer to Sultan Hussain Mirza. He was a poet, and assumed the poetical name of Tofeili. He wrote many beautiful Kasîdehs, and was the most eminent of his age in that species of composition. When I took Samarkand, in the year 917, he joined me, and was in my service five or six A. D. 1511. years. Hp addressed to me some very fine Kasîdehs; he was an extravagant, shameless man, and kept catamites; he was everlastingly playing at draughts, or at dice. Another was Khwâjeh Abdalla Marwârid, who was at first Sedder; but afterwards Khwȧjeh entered the service, and becoming a retainer and courtier, was raised to the dignity of Beg. He was a man full of accomplishments; and no person could match him in playing on the Kanûn (or Dulcimer). The mode of shaking on this instrument is his invention. He excelled in writing the various hands, and in particular wrote the Taalik character in a very beautiful and superior manner. He was well versed in the epistolary style of composition.3 He was a very pleasant companion, and was also a poet. He assumed the poetical name of Biâni, but his poetry fell far below his other merits, though he was an excellent critic in poetry. He was profligate and debauched. From excess of sensual indulgence, he was attacked with boils all over his body, and lost the use of his hands and feet. After enduring various and exquisite pain and torture for several years, he was finally carried off by this disease.

Urus.

Another was Muhammed Syed Urûs. His father was Urûs Arghûn, who, when Muham Sultan Abusaid Mirza seized the throne, was a Beg of the first rank, and his prime med Syed adviser. At that time many brave young men signalized their courage. One of the most eminent of them was this Muhammed Syed Urûs. His bow was strong, and his arrow long, and its range was far, and its aim sure. He for some time held the government of Andekhûd.

Mîr Ali, the Mîr Akhur (or Master of the Horse), was another. This was the man Mir Ali. who sent a person to Sultan Hussain Mirza, and brought him to fall upon Yâdgar Muhammed Mirza, when off his guard, and defenceless.

lâkchi.

Another was Syed Hussain Ughlâkchi, the son of Syed Ughlâkchi, and elder bro- Syed Husther of Syed Yûsef Beg. He had a son named Mirza Fârekh, a man of great acquire- sain Ughments and talents, who joined me when I took Samarkand in 917. He was a poet, and though he wrote little, he wrote that little well. He was well acquainted with the 'use of the astrolabe, and the science of astronomy. He was also an agreeable friend and companion. He was rather addicted to wine, and was riotous in his cups. He fell in the battle of Ghajdewân.4

Berdi.

Another was Tengri Berdi, of the Semânchi tribe. He was an honest, brave man, Tengri and an accomplished swordsman. By a well-conducted surprise, he seized and car

1 Kosh-Begi.

2 The Sedder, or Chief Justice, is properly an ecclesiastical law appointment. This nobleman laid aside his legal character, and entered into the military and political department.

3 The Persian style of letter-writing is very artificial. Great care must be taken to address each man according to his proper rank or situation. The style, too, differs very much from that of common conversation. Hence it is regarded as a particular art.

This was the great battle fought in October 1514, in which Baber and his Persian auxiliaries were defeated and driven out of Bokhara.