My plan of proceeding from my cantonment, at Makhān, towards
Maveralnaher and Khurasān, was this: my spies having brought me
intelligence, a second time, that all the chiefs of Maveralnaher were
very negligent and inattentive to my proceedings, but that they still
retained numerous followers; I therefore took a review of my troops, and
found that they did not exceed one thousand horse, and in an auspicious
hour sought in the Korān for an omen, this verse opened, “God is all
sufficient for those who place their faith on him.” As I ever placed my
confidence on the Almighty, I committed my son Jehangyr to his
protection, and having appointed Mubarik Sunjury to be his preceptor,
left them at Makhān: I marched to the banks of the Jihūn, and when all
my followers had joined, I crossed the river in the night, and having
left the high road on the left, I halted in the fields of canes near the
river: I remained concealed there during that day, and deliberated
whether I should, by a forced march, endeavour to surprise the city of
Bokharā, and then proceed towards Samerkund, or whether I should first
attack the different chiefs of Maveralnaher, and subdue them, before
they could form a junction with each other; and having thus cleared the
country of them, then take possession of one of these cities, as the
seat of my government.
At this time, I was informed that Amyr Musā was encamped in the
neighbourhood of Kārshy, I therefore consulted the Korān whether I
should attack him, or Hindū Shāh first; this verse opened, “the fire of
Moses was like lightning;” I took this for an auspicious omen, and
remained in the lanes by the side of the river the whole day in
ambuscade. When night came on, I made a forced march against the army of
Amyr Musā, and having taken him by surprise, I took two of his generals
prisoners, and dispersed all his soldiers.
It happened that in the town of Kārshy, there were some merchants from
Bokharā, whom my people seized, and brought to me, with all their camels
and goods; but I immediately ordered Shykh Aly Behader to escort them
with all their merchandize, to a place of safety, which raised my fame
through the country.
When information of my having defeated the army of Amyr Musā, reached
the other chiefs, they immediately assembled, and with the troops that I
had dispersed, amounting in all to five thousand horse, took possession
of a strong post called Kūzy. It therefore appeared to me advisable to
make a sudden attack on them before they should learn the small number
of my forces, or be aware of my intention. In consequence of this
determination, I formed my small army into seven divisions, six of which
I gave in charge to several officers, and took post myself with the
seventh. At this time, news arrived that the enemy having arranged their
troops, were advancing. I immediately mounted and drew up my army, and
called out to the chiefs, “before we shall have made the seven attacks,
our adversaries will be annihilated;” and it turned out exactly as I
said.
In a short period, the enemy’s army made its appearance in the plain of
Kūzy, and I soon learned that Hindū Shāh commanded their advanced line.
I immediately advanced with my staff officers, and took the command of
our advanced division; I then examined, with the eye of experience, the
mode of attack and retreat, and I observed that the enemy’s divisions
were much separated; but at this moment, Aly Khān Behader, who commanded
the right wing of my first line, being terrified by the appearance of
the foe, ran away; I instantly ordered Amyr Jakū, who had the command of
the left wing of the first line, to charge, and the right wing of the
second line to advance, and take up the ground in the first line: during
this manœuvre, Amyr Jakū having defeated his opponents, had a fall from
his horse, and was for a short time bewildered, but he again mounted and
halted; as soon as I heard of the accident, I sent him some (Mumia)
medicine, which I had about me, and he recovered.
At this time, the right wing of the enemy made a violent charge, on
which I called out to my left wing, to do the same, and spurring on my
horse, charged in person. We were warmly engaged from breakfast time,
till noon-day prayer; but when the sun became vertical, the enemy gave
way, and dispersed; at that moment I had alighted on the field of
battle, and was saying my prayers, to which I then added my thanks for
the victory.
My warriors pursued the enemy as far as Chekdalyk, and having taken a
number of their chiefs and officers, brought them as prisoners to me.
Among the prisoners that were brought in was, Aljaytū Sultān, governor
of Talkhān; when brought into my presence, I was doubtful whether I
should give orders for killing him or not; but as soon as his sight fell
on me, he said, “O Commander, I have been grateful for the salt I have
eaten of my master, and I have bravely fought against his enemy, you may
either slay me, or liberate me.”
(_Here follows a Tūrkish verse._)
I said to my nobles, “he speaks the truth, he has been a loyal subject,
for I have frequently endeavoured to entice him into my service, his
constant reply has been, ‘as long as I can eat the salt of Amyr Hussyn,
I will not turn my face towards any other person:’” the prisoner then
said, “if I shall ever eat of your salt, I will devote my life in
exchange for it.” As I felt inclined to favour him, some of the persons
present said, “there is no reliance to be placed on this man;” I
replied, “there is no doubt of his manliness, he may lose his head, but
his promise will endure; if he once eats my salt, I am convinced he will
prove as faithful to me, as he has shewn himself to Amyr Hussyn; in
retaining him in my service, there are several advantages, and in
killing him, several disadvantages, of his present or future worth, you
are no judges; I, at all events, shall gain his father, whom I have
respected for thirty years, and I shall obtain the present services of
this young man;” I therefore encouraged him, and released him: he ever
afterwards attended my stirrup, fought many battles with me; and at the
time when Shāh Munsūr attacked me in person, he protected and saved me;
upon that event, I said to my nobles, “one should endeavour to know the
worth and value of a man, whether friend or foe;” they assented, bent
their knees, and prayed for my prosperity.
As soon as the army of Amyr Hussyn had fled, and repassed the straits of
Checkichec, I called a council of all my chiefs, and proposed that we
should pursue and annihilate the remainder of the enemy, at the head of
whom, was Khizer Behader, but who had shut himself up in the city of
Samerkund. In consequence of this determination, we marched to Kesh, of
which place I appointed Tughy Shāh, governor, and Turmajūk to be
collector of the district, and realize the revenue due to government; I
then proceeded with my victorious army toward Samerkund.
When we arrived near Samerkund, I encamped in the vicinity of the city,
and sent a summons to the governor, Khizer Behader, offering him the
choice of my favour, or my revenge; he wrote me this answer, “if I
should come over to your highness, the salt and kindness of Amyr Hussyn
would seize me, and the world would call me an ungrateful wretch, and a
scoundrel, for being guilty of treachery in giving up a place confided
to me by a Muselmān;[89] such conduct is inconsistent with the duties of
a person professing the Muhammedan religion, if I should be base enough
to commit this act of villainy, neither your Highness nor your officers
would ever place any confidence or reliance on me; if I shall be killed
bravely doing my duty, it will be better in every respect than to be
guilty of dishonesty.” I praised him for his fidelity, but drew out my
army, and advanced close to the city, and my warriors were about to
attack it, when the governor attempted to make his escape; Ak Timūr
Behader met him near the gate, and seized him by the belt of his quiver,
but the belt broke, and the governor with difficulty again got inside
the gate, and saved himself. Ak Behader brought the quiver to me, as a
proof of his zeal, in recompense for which, I promoted him; I then drew
off from the town, and encamped at the village of Retin, from thence I
marched to the village of Shāh Rūkh, where the water and air was very
good, and rested there for some time.
At this place, I obtained intelligence that Amyr Hussyn had detached
Aljaytū Bughā with an army to relieve Samerkund, and that they were
approaching: I also received a letter from Tughy Shāh, my governor of
Kesh, stating that, a party of the enemy had suddenly entered the
district, and had seized my collector Termajūk.
On receipt of this bad news, I was much dispirited, and formed to myself
three plans; 1st. That I should turn _Cossack_, and never pass
twenty-four hours in one place, and plunder all that came to hand. 2nd.
That I should make a forced march to meet Amyr Hussyn, surprise his
camp, and annihilate his army. 3rd. That I should leave the country, and
proceed to Khujend; being still undecided, I placed my foot in the
stirrup, and having crossed the river Yam, I encamped on its bank.
At this time, my whole force consisted of one thousand horse; when I
mentioned the three plans to my chiefs, they all agreed that the one of
retreating to Khujend, was the best; we then quitted the river Yam, and
after three or four marches, reached the bank of the Khujend, (Sihūn)
where we encamped.
At this place, I received letters from Ky Khuserū and Behram Jelayr, who
were formerly in my service, but who had quitted it for that of Amyr
Hussyn, stating, that being in danger of their lives from Hussyn, they
had therefore deserted in the night, and had taken refuge at Khānchyn;
they further represented that the Amyr had killed their brothers, and
plundered their tribes, in revenge for which, they had collected seven
thousand horse, and were waiting at Tashkund, ready to join me whenever
I should order them.[90]
In consequence of this intelligence, I resolved to march to Tashkund;
when I reached that country, Ky Khuserū being delighted, advanced to
meet me; he carried me to his own residence, and made a great feast on
the occasion. As the Emperor Tugleck Timūr Khān had given his daughter
in marriage to Ky Khuserū, by whom he had a daughter, now arrived at the
age of puberty; we agreed to betroth her to my eldest son Jehangyr, to
which measure, Behram Jelayr, who was her relation, also gave his
consent. In consequence of this ceremony, I passed a whole month in
luxury and every delight at Tashkund. It must be explained that this
Behram Jelayr had been brought up by me, that I had promoted him, that
he became proud, but being reduced to low circumstances, had asked my
pardon; in consequence of which, I forgave and restored him to his
former rank, and afterwards further promoted him.
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Footnote 89:
The followers of the Arabian Prophet never call themselves
Muhammedans, but Muselmāns, (resigned) or Mumināns, (believers) they
consider it disrespectful, and making too free with his name; for a
similar reason, they do not call us Christians, but (Nessara)
Nazareens.
Footnote 90:
Khujend and Tashkund are both cities on the banks of the Sihūn.