Rupture between Sul. tan Ali the Ter khâns. (Turki verse.)—During the fit of passion, I was mad and deranged; nor did I know Sometimes, like a distracted man, I roamed alone over the mountains and deserts; sometimes I went wandering about from street to street in search of mansions and gardens. I could neither sit nor go; I could neither stand nor walk. (Turki verse.)—I had neither strength to go nor power to stay; This same year a quarrel broke out between Sultan Ali Mirza' and Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân, originating in the high state and overbearing influence attained by the Mirza and Terkhâns. They had taken complete possession of the whole of Bokhâra, and did not Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân had in give any one a single dang2 from its revenues. like manner gained unbounded influence in Samarkand, and conferred all the districts belonging to it on his own sons, his followers and adherents: and, excepting a small provision settled on him from the revenue of the city, not a fils3 from any other quarter reached Sultan Ali Mirza. The Sultan had now grown up to man's estate, and it was not to be expected that he could continue to submit to such treatment. In conMuhammed junction with some of his most attached servants, he formed a design against MuhamMazid Ter- med Mazîd Terkhân, who, having got notice of the plot, left the city with his domestics from Sa- and servants, his adherents and retainers, along with such of the Begs as were intimately connected with him, such as Sultan Hussain Arghûn, Pîr Ahmed, Khwajeh Hussain, the younger brother of Uzûn Hassan, Kâra Birlâs, Sâlikh Muhammed, and several other Begs and Cavaliers. khân flies markand. Khan Mir. za marches against Samarkand; 4 At this period, Sultan Mahmûd Khan dispatched Khan Mirza, accompanied by Muhammed Hussain Doghlet, Ahmed Beg, and a number of his Moghuls, against Samarkand. markand. Hâfez Beg Duldai, with his son, Tâhir Beg, were the governors of Khan Mirza. Hassan Nabîreh, Hindû Beg, and a great many cavaliers, from attachment to Hâfiz Beg and Tâhir Beg, deserted from Sultan Ali Mirza and joined Mirza Khan. Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân sent messengers to invite Khan Mirza and the Moghul army; and himself, advancing to the territory of Shâdwâr, had a conference with Mirza Khan and the Moghul Begs. The Moghul Begs, however, agreed so ill with Muhammed Beg and the others, that they even formed the design of seizing upon him; but he and his Begs having discovered the plot, made their escape from the Moghul army by stratagem. After the defection of this force, the Moghuls found themselves unable to maintain their ground alone. Sultan Ali Mirza, accompanied by a small force which he had with him at the time, pushed on by rapid marches from Samarkand, and overtook and fell upon Khan Mirza and the Moghul army, as they reached 1 Sultan Ali Mirza, it will be remembered, was still King of Bokhâra and of Samarkand, which he had entered when it was abandoned by Baber. 2 A small silver coin, the sixth part of a dirhem; at the present day, of the value of about a penny. 3 A small copper coin. 4 Khan Mirza was Weis Mirza, the youngest son of Sultan Mahmûd Mirza. On his father's death, his mother had him conveyed to Tâshkend to her brother's court. feated by their ground at Yâr-ailâk. The Moghuls were unable to sustain the attack, and fled but is dein confusion. Thus, towards the close of his life, Sultan Ali Mirza performed one to- Sultan Ali lerably fair achievement. Mirza. vited to Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân, and the rest of his party, seeing that they had now no- Baber inthing to expect from Sultan Ali Mirza, or the Mirzas his brothers, dispatched Abdal Samarkand. Wahab, (a Moghul, who had formerly been in my service, and who, at the siege of Andejân, had gallantly exerted hîmself, and freely hazarded his life to support Khwâjeh Kazi,) for the purpose of inviting me to their assistance. I was at that time in the sad condition which has been mentioned. I was fully resolved to attempt Samarkand, and, in making peace, this had been the view held out to me. I now, therefore, immediately sent the Moghul to Akhsi to Jehangîr Mirza, post, with relays of horses, while I myself set out against Samarkand with such troops as were along with me. It was the month of Zilkadeh when I marched on the expedition. On the fourth day, June 1500. I reached Kaba, and halted. About the time of afternoon prayers, I received intelligence that Khalil, Sultan Ahmed Tambol's younger brother, had surprised the fortress Hears of the of Ush. The affair happened in this way :-At the peace, the prisoners, the chief of whom was Khalil, the younger brother of Tambol, had been set at liberty, as has been mentioned. Tambol had sent Khalil, in order to remove his family and effects from Uzkend. Having entered Uzkend under pretence of carrying away the family, day after day he promised to carry them off; but, under one pretext or another, never left the place. When I had set out on my expedition, availing himself of the opportunity, and perceiving Ush to be destitute of troops, he made an attack in the night, and took it by surprise. loss of U'sh. his march. When this news reached me, I judged it inexpedient, on several accounts, either to Continues halt or turn back against him; I therefore continued to advance on Samarkand. One of the reasons which influenced me was, that all my soldiers of note had gone off different ways, each to his own home, to make ready their accoutrements and arms, and, relying on the peace, we had never suspected any craft or treachery from our enemy. Another was, that the intrigues and cabals of Kamber Ali and Ali Dost, two of my Begs of the first eminence, now began to be very evident, so that all confidence in them was at an end, as I have already given to understand. A farther motive was, that as the party of the nobles of Samarkand, at the head of whom was Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân, had sent to invite me, it would have been most absurd, on account of a small place like Andejân, to lose time, and perhaps such a noble capital as Samarkand. From Kaba we advanced to Marghinân, which I had bestowed on Sultan Ahmed Beg, the father of Koch Beg. He was himself prevented by his situation and connexions from accompanying me, and remained in Marghinân; but his son, Koch Beg, with one or two of his brothers, went along with me. We proceeded by way of Aspera, and halted on reaching Mehen, a village belonging to that district. By a fortunate coincidence, Kâsim Beg, with his troops, Ali Dost, with his men, Syed Kâsim, and a very considerable number of good soldiers, that very night arrived in Mehen, as if they had come post by assignation, and all joined me. Leaving Mehen, and passing by the route of the plain Jasan,' we reached Uratippa, crossing the bridge of Chapan.2 Kamber Ali, confiding in Tambol, had gone from his own government of Khojend to Akhsi, in order to consult with him regarding the arrangements of the army; no sooner had he reached that place, than he was taken into custody, and Tambol advanced to by Tambol. seize his districts; verifying the Tûrki proverb: Kamber escape. To trust a friend will show you raw ; Your friend will stuff your hide with straw. Effects his While they were conducting him from one place to another, however, he effected his escape by the way, and, barefooted and bareheaded, after encountering a multitude of hardships, came and joined me while I was at Uratippa. Baber ret-Khan. At Uratippa I received intelligence that Sheibâni Khan had defeated Bâki Terkhân, at the fort of Dabûsi, and was advancing against Bokhâra. From Uratippa, by the route of Ilâgh-burkeh, I reached Sengraz,3 the commandant of which surrendered the place. As Kamber Ali had joined me in a ruined state, and completely plundered, I left him behind in Sengraz, and advanced forward. When we had reached Yuretreaches Yu- Khan, the Begs of Samarkand, at the head of whom was Muhammed Mazîd Khan, came to meet me, and tendered me their duty. I consulted with them about the taking of Samarkand. They assured me that Khwâjeh Yahîa was attached to me; and that if he could be prevailed upon heartily to co-operate, Samarkand might be taken with the greatest facility, without combat or struggle. I therefore several times sent persons to confer with Khwâjeh Yahîa. The Khwâjeh did not send me any message, but silently used every exertion to facilitate my entrance into Samarkand; at the same time, he did not say a word to make me despair of success. Many of his Begs return to his service. Marching from Yuret-Khan, I advanced to the Derghâm. From the banks of the Derghâm I sent Khwâjeh Muhammed Ali, my librarian, to Khwâjeh Yahîa. He brought me back instructions to advance, and that the city should be given up to me. Mounting just at nightfall, we left the Derghâm, and rode towards the city. But Sultan Mahmûd Dûldai, the father of Sultan Muhammed Dûldai, having deserted from me at Yuret-Khan, and gone over to the enemy, had informed them of our proceedings; so that, our motions being discovered, the design did not succeed. I therefore returned back to the banks of the Derghâm. While I remained encamped there, Ibrâhim Sâru Mûnkaligh, who had received many favours from me, but whom Ali Dost had plundered and driven from my service while we were at Yar-ailâk, returned, accompanied by Muhammed Yûsef, the son of Syed Yûsef Beg, and again entered into my service. The greater part of my Begs and most attached servants, whom Ali Dost Beg, from jealousy, had treated ill, banishing some of them, plundering others, and ruining the rest by heavy contributions, all returned to me at this period, one after another. The power of Ali Dost was now and his son retire. gone. He had placed his entire reliance on Tambol, and had harassed and persecuted me and all my friends. I had conceived a rooted dislike to the man. Partly from shame and partly from apprehension, he could no longer remain with me, and asked leave to retire, which I granted with great pleasure. Ali Dost and Muhammed Dost, Ali Dost on leaving me, went and joined Tambol, by whom they were received and treated with allowed to much distinction; and I afterwards had many proofs of the mutinous and incendiary. temper of both father and son. A year or two after, Ali Dost was seized with a can-Their fucerous sore in the hands, of which he died. Muhammed Dost went among the Uzbeks, where he did not succeed badly; but there, also, having been guilty of some piece of treachery to those whose salt he eat, he was obliged to flee, and came to the hilly districts of Andejân, where he spirited up some disturbances; but falling at last into the hands of the Uzbeks, they put out his eyes, and thus was verified the saying, "the salt has seized his eyes."1 ture history. Khan takes After they had taken leave, I dispatched Ghûri Birlâs with a party of horse towards Sheibâni Bokhâra, in quest of intelligence. He brought me back information that Sheibâni Bokhara, Khan had taken Bokhâra, and was marching on Samarkand. Not thinking my stay in that neighbourhood advisable, I proceeded towards Kesh, in which place were the families of many of the Begs of Samarkand. A week or two after my arrival there, information was brought that Sultan Ali Mirza had delivered up Samarkand to and SamarSheibâni Khan. kand. of this event. The circumstance of this event are as follows:-The mother of Sultan Ali Mirza, Particulars named Zûhreh Begi Agha, was led by her stupidity and folly to send a messenger privately to Sheibâni Khan, proposing that, if he would marry her, her son should surrender Samarkand into his hands, on condition that, when Sheibâni recovered his own paternal dominions, he should restore Samarkand to Sultan Ali Mirza. Abû Yûsef Arghûn was let into the secret of this plan; nay, that traitor may be fairly regarded as the original projector of it. TRANSACTIONS OF THE YEAR 906. 3 Khan ar SHEIBANI KHAN advancing as had been arranged with the princess, halted at the Sheibani Bagh-e-Meidan. About noon, Sultan Ali Mirza, without acquainting any of his Begs, rives before officers, cavaliers, or servants, with his intention, and without holding any consulta- Samarkand. tion, left the town by the Char-raheh gate, accompanied only by a few insignificant Sultan Ali individuals of his personal attendants, and went to Sheibâni Khan at the Bagh-e-Mei- out and 1 In the East, it is looked upon as the greatest crime to betray one in whose family or service a man has lived, or even with whom he has eaten. Hence the epithet nemek-herâm, or treacherous to his salt, is one of the severest of reproaches. 2 South of Samarkand, beyond the hills. 3 This year commenced on 28th July 1500. 4 Garden of the plain. Mirza goes meets him. Universal submission. Sultan Ali to death. Murder of Khwâjeh his sons. dan. Sheibâni did not give him a very flattering reception; and, as soon as the ceremonies of meeting were over, made him sit down lower than himself. Khwâjeh Yahia, on learning that the Mirza had gone out, was filled with alarm; but, seeing no remedy left, also went out of the town, and waited on Sheibâni Khan, who received him without rising, and said some severe things to him. On his rising to go away, however, Sheibâni Khan behaved more courteously, and rose from his seat. Jân Ali, the son of Khwâjeh Ali Bai, who was in Rabât-Khwâjeh, as soon as he heard that the Mirza had gone out, likewise went and presented himself to Sheibâni Khan; so that the wretched and weak woman, for the sake of getting herself a husband, gave the family and honour of her son to the winds. Nor did Sheibâni Khan mind her a bit, or value her even so much as his other handmaids, concubines, or women. Sultan Ali Mirza was confounded at the condition in which he now found himself, and deeply regretted the step which he had taken. Several young cavaliers about him, perceiving this, formed a plan for escaping with him; but he would not consent. As the hour of fate was at hand, he could not shun it. He had quarters assigned him near Taimur Sultan. Three or four days afterwards, they put him to death in the meadow of Kulbeh. From his over-anxiety to preserve this transitory and mortal life, he left a name of infamy behind him; and, from following the suggestions of a woman, struck himself out of the list of those who have earned for themselves a glorious name. It is impossible to write any more of the transactions of such a personage, and impossible to listen any farther to the recital of such base and dastardly proceedings. After the murder of Sultan Ali Mirza, the Khan sent Jân Ali after his prince; and Yahia and as he entertained suspicions of Khwâjeh Yahîa, banished him, and sent him off for Khorasân, with his two sons, Khwâjeh Muhammed Zakerîa and Khwâjeh Bâki. They were followed by a party of Uzbeks, who martyred the Khwâjeh and both his young sons, in the neighbourhood of Khwâjeh Kardzin. Sheibâni Khan denied all participation in the Khwâjeh's death, alleging that it was the act of Kamber Bî and Kepek Bî. This is only making the matter worse, according to the saying, "the excuse is worse that the fault;" for when Begs presume to perpetrate such deeds without being authorised by their Khan or King, what confidence can be reposed in such a government? Baber No sooner had the Uzbeks taken Samarkand, than we moved away from Kesh toleaves Kesh. wards Hissar. Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân, and some of the other Begs of Samarkand, accompanied me, along with their wives, children, and families. On halting at the Valley of the district of Cheghâniân, Muhammed Mazîd Terkhân, and the Samarkand nobles, separating from me, went and took service with Khosrou Shah, while I, without town or territory, without any spot to which I could go, or in which I could remain, in spite of the miseries which Khosrou Shah had inflicted on my house and family, saw myself compelled to pass through the midst of his territories. I once had Passes through Khosrou Shah's territories. 1 The Uzbeks, down to the present time, distinguish the richer and more substantial men of property by the title of Bi, which corresponds very much with master. The Uzbeks were composed of the four tribes of Vigurs, Naimans, Durmans, and Kankerats.-See Astley's Voyages, vol. IV. p. 483. 2 They probably proceeded through the hills of the Derbend or the Kaluga Pass. 3 Auleng, a valley, meadow, or pasture-ground. |