[Sidenote: A. D. 1366.]
In the year 768, I entered the thirty-second year of my age, and was
busily employed in getting my army into proper order; when that was
effected, I marched with all my troops from Kārshy, with an intention of
going to Samerkund, in order to increase my forces: at the end of the
first days’ march, Amyr Soleyman and Javerchy, who were the chief
instigators of the quarrel between my brother-in-law and me, deserted
and went over to Amyr Hussyn; but just at this time, the commander of
the _Yusury_ tribe having died, was succeeded by his brothers Aly
Derveish, Alyas Khuajē, and Hajy Mahmūd, who all came and joined me with
the whole tribe of _Yusury_, and entered into my service. Also Amyr Jakū
and Abās, whom I had sent with Behram Jelayr to Khujend, rejoined me
with their divisions.
My army being thus considerably reinforced, I proceeded towards
Samerkund; when I had nearly reached that place, the principal
inhabitants of the city came out to meet me, and requested that I would
appoint (Hakim) a governor over them; I in consequence did appoint Kera
Hindūke Berlās, to be governor of Samerkund, and I returned towards my
cantonments at Kārshy; but when I had made two marches towards home,
that _Hindū_ like character quitted the government of Samerkund, and
went over to Amyr Hussyn.
At this place, I received intelligence that (my wife) the illustrious
Aljay Tūrkān Aghā, whom I had left very ill, had departed this life; on
hearing this, I said, “verily we belong to God, and to him shall we
return.”
When the news reached Amyr Hussyn, that his sister was dead, he was very
much afflicted, and was sensible that the bond which had hitherto united
us, was now broken, and our connection dissolved. He was nevertheless
very violent against me, and made preparation for war; I also assembled
my troops, and did not relax in my precautions. In the first place, I
sent Amyr Syf Addyn with the troops of my victorious army, towards
Chughtayān, where Amyr Hussyn was encamped, to gain intelligence. He
soon sent me word that Amyr Hussyn was determined on war, but that he
wished to carry it on by intrigue and artifice, and recommended me to be
on my guard.
When Amyr Hussyn heard that I had left Kārshy, and had sent a detachment
towards his camp, he despatched his son Abdallah with a letter, and a
deceitful message. In the letter it was stated, “that his overtures
proceeded from the heart, not from the tongue; that he had the most
sincere friendship for me, and that I might place the most implicit
confidence on this promise.”
When Abdallah reached my encampment, which was at Kehulkeh, he delivered
his message, and presented the letter; I refused to read the letter, and
paid no attention to the message; my reason for which, was this, that
most of my chiefs were persons who had deserted from Amyr Hussyn, and
had come over to me; they were, therefore, alarmed, lest if peace should
take place between us, they might fall a sacrifice to our
reconciliation, and as I suspected that this was the motive which
induced Amyr Hussyn’s overtures, I sent for the heads of the Yusury
clan, and said to them, “Amyr Hussyn has knocked at the door of
friendship, and I know that his object is to cause discord between you
and me; but, between him and me, the only thing that now remains is the
sword.” On hearing this, the chiefs, who were hesitating how they should
act, finding that I was determined to continue the war, became strong of
heart: thus I reconciled all the Yusurians, and afterwards conferred
favours on them.
When Amyr Hussyn found that I would not enter into any treaty with him,
he refrained from hostilities, and I also returned towards Kārshy; he
however soon after assembled his army, and having appointed Shyr Behram
to the command of his advance, came towards Kārshy, wishing by fraud and
stratagem, to seize me. While I was encamped at Herar, he sent his
treasurer Kezer to me with a _Korān_, on which he pretended to have
taken his oath, that he had no animosity against me, and prayed that if
he should be guilty of a breach of his oath, that the holy book would
bring down destruction on him; but in order to confirm our friendship,
he stated it was requisite that we should have a meeting, and therefore
proposed that we should meet at the pass of Chuckchuck, and renew our
amicable engagements, in such a manner, that hereafter no seditious
scoundrel might be able to excite strife between us; notwithstanding
these protestations, I discovered that he had sent detachments to both
ends of the pass, with orders to conceal themselves, and that when I
entered it, they should close up in front and rear, and seize me. I
nevertheless listened to the proposal of his messenger, which was, “that
I should leave my army where it was, and that Amyr Hussyn should also
have his troops at Chuganian, and we should both advance with one
hundred men each, to a delightful spot in the pass, abounding with water
and verdure, where we might enjoy the society of each other, renew our
vows of friendship, and divide the province of Maveralnaher between us
in a fraternal manner.”[80]
Having heard this deceitful message of Amyr Hussyn, I privately gave
orders for part of my forces to march at night, and take post on the
road, in front of the pass, and the other part to take a strong position
in the rear of it. I then proceeded with three hundred horse towards the
appointed place, and Amyr Hussyn advanced with one thousand cavalry.
When I arrived at the place where Amyr Hussyn had concealed his first
division, I halted, but the enemy immediately rushed upon me; at the
same time, my troops, who were concealed, charged them, and a severe
contest took place; at first my people were worsted, but I reinforced
them, and we soon put the enemy to the route, killed many, and took a
number of them prisoners.
During this time, Amyr Hussyn, who had remained on one side of the pass,
waiting in expectation of seeing me brought bound to him, was surprised
to see his defeated army running in all directions, he was, therefore,
much disappointed and ashamed;[81] but being convinced the veil of his
deceit was now rent, he suspected Shyr Behram, who had deserted me, and
had been employed confidentially by him, of having given me
intelligence; he therefore commanded him to be put to death, which
circumstance realized my prediction, when Shyr Behram quitted my
service, as formerly related. In consequence of this victory, I returned
exulting towards Kārshy, and encamped in its vicinity.
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Footnote 80:
See Institutes, page 101.
Footnote 81:
This account is different from Petis de la Croix’s History.