After three days, early in the morning, the three chiefs, with their six
thousand cavalry, arrived on the bank of the Jihūn, opposite to our
encampment; as the river intervened between us, neither of us had an
opportunity of attacking the other; I therefore thought it advisable to
send to them Timūr Khuajē, who was a very clever man and good orator, to
make them these three proposals. 1st. “As you and I are countrymen and
relations, it is highly improper that there should be any enmity between
us. 2ndly. It is reported that the object of your coming is to take Amyr
Hussyn and me prisoners, and to possess yourselves of the fortress of
Shadmān and Balkh, here we are, come take us, and bind us if you can,
but remember that in so doing, you will unjustly cause the deaths of
thousands. 3rdly. The Jete army will not always remain in these
countries, I will shortly send them about their business, then you and I
must dwell together in this country.” When Timūr Khuajē had delivered my
message, the fire of their anger was quenched; the next morning I went
to the bank of the river, and requested a conference with the chiefs,
when they came, I used such arguments (on the impolicy of their
conduct), that they were convinced; I then returned to my tent, and
remained all that day in that encampment. The following day the three
chiefs disputed among themselves, saying, “we bound on our quivers with
a promise of seizing Amyr Hussyn and Timūr, how can we now hold up our
heads among the Jete officers, not having even attempted any thing.” At
length they renewed their threats against me, and marched along the bank
of the river in search of a ford, or favourable place for crossing the
river, that they might attack me. Hearing of their intentions, I also
marched along the bank of the river opposite to them; when they had
reached Balkh, they again encamped, I did the same.
On the following day, the three chiefs formed their army into three
divisions, and having discovered a ford, crossed the river, and
encamped, with a rivulet in their front.
At this time, I mustered my army, and found it amounted only to one
thousand five hundred cavalry; but as they were all excellent soldiers,
and vastly superior to those of the adversaries, I was not alarmed; I
therefore allowed the whole of the enemy to cross the river without
moving from my encampment, or shewing any sign of perturbation: when
night came on, my chiefs wished to storm the camp of the Jetes; but as
my army was so much inferior in numbers, I did not approve of a night
attack, but trusting in the Divine aid, I spent the time in prayer.
Early in the morning, the enemy came down in three divisions, with an
intention of surrounding me. Amyr Hussyn and I drew up our forces in two
divisions, ready to oppose them; whilst in this situation, a horseman
came at full speed to inform me that Amyr Soleyman Berlās, and the other
chiefs, who were disgusted with the Jetes, had crossed the river higher
up, and would join me immediately with one thousand five hundred horse;
on hearing of these tidings, I prostrated myself on the ground, and
returned thanks to God. I then mounted my horse, and proceeded to meet
my allies; when we met, I saluted them in the most friendly terms, and
raised their hopes of success. The next day my adversaries seeing that
my force was daily increasing, became enraged, and advanced against me
with twenty thousand men, drawn up in three divisions.
The arrangement that I made for opposing the Jete army, was this; I
divided my three thousand men into six regiments, and having advanced to
the brink of the rivulet, took possession of the bridge, and having
crossed the bridge, drew up opposite the enemy; I then resolved to
attack them in three points.
At this time they were advancing, I therefore ordered the three first
regiments to salute them with a shower of arrows; I then sent the fourth
regiment to their assistance, and commanded them to charge sword in
hand; the flame of battle Soon rose between the contending parties; from
morning till late in the day, the contest continued with alternate
success, and determined obstinacy, neither side giving way; at length
both parties being much fatigued, Amyr Hussyn and I ordered our
standards to be unfurled, our trumpets to sound, and calling out Allah
Yar, (God is with us) charged sword in hand, with our own divisions,
from the bank of the rivulet amongst the enemy; on the first and second
attack, they began to give way, however their chiefs keeping their
ground, actually exchanged some blows with us, but at length took to
flight, and gave up the contest, leaving their camp to be plundered by
us.[68]
I advanced into the middle of the plain, when all the chiefs and nobles
came up, and congratulated me on our success; I ordered the camp to be
pitched and halted there for some days.
When Alyas Khuajē (son of the Khān) heard of the defeat of the three
chieftains, he ordered a large force under the command of Aljun Behader,
the brother of Beg Chuck, to march against me, whilst I being puffed up
with my victory, took no pains to get intelligence of their proceedings.
At this time, I resolved to leave Amyr Hussyn with his troops in the
vicinity of Balkh, and to proceed with my own forces towards Kehulkeh.
In consequence of this determination, I marched along the bank of the
Jihūn, and having crossed the river in boats at Termuz, encamped on its
bank, and sent my advance division towards the fortress of Kehulkeh.
The situation where I encamped, was nearly an island, being surrounded
on three sides by water, and I waited there in expectation of the return
of my advanced legion; but the advanced party being as negligent as I
was, took no precautions for our safety, so that Aljun Behader, with the
Jete army, passed them while asleep, and came unexpectedly on me; it was
very fortunate that I had taken post in the peninsula, for all the tents
that were pitched outside of it, were instantly plundered, and their
owners compelled to retreat to the island.
I had luckily secured all the boats, in my rear, and therefore gave
orders to send all our baggage and followers across the rivers while I
kept possession of the island, and annoyed the enemy with our arrows;
till at length all the baggage and people having re-crossed the river, I
got on board a boat and went over; I first gave orders to sink all the
boats, and then encamped on the bank of the river, and remained opposite
to the Jete army for a whole month.[69]
Amyr Hussyn having heard of my retreat, offered again to join me, but I
desired him to remain at Khulm, and continued on my guard, while in the
vicinity of the enemy. At length they marched off, and I proceeded
towards Balkh; when I reached Khulm, Amyr Hussyn drew out his army, and
advanced to meet me, and we encamped together in the plains of Khulm,
and passed ten days more in feasting and rejoicing.
At this time, we deemed it advisable to unite the Princes of Badukhshān
with us, in order to drive the Jetes out of the country; all the chiefs
having agreed in opinion with me and Amyr Hussyn, we collected all our
troops, and proceeded towards Badukhshān: when we reached the vicinity
of the town of Kundez, the chiefs of the horde of Buraltay, came and
joined us with one thousand horse; I spoke very kindly to them, and gave
each of the chiefs a dress of honour, and considered their coming as a
favourable omen.
When intelligence of our approach reached the Princes of Badukhshān,
they were much alarmed, and drew out all their forces to oppose us; I at
first determined to make a sudden attack on them, and subdue them before
they could collect their strength; but when we arrived at Talkhān, we
were met by an Ambassador from the Princes, who brought a number of
presents, and opened the gates of peace and concord; as the proposals he
brought, were founded on union, not on discord, we consented, provided
they would promise to join us in expelling the Jetes from Maveralnaher,
for which purpose they should immediately furnish two thousand horse.
When the Badukhshān cavalry had joined us, Amyr Hussyn and I resolved to
cross the river at Saly Seray, and enter the country of Khutelān, and
compel the people of that place to join us against the enemy.
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Footnote 68:
See Institutes, page 63.
Footnote 69:
See Institutes, page 67.