The Rashīdī History 105: CHAPTER II. · REIGN OF YUNUS KHAN ; ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE AND LIST OF HIS OFFSPRING.

105

Yunus Khán was the greatest of all the Chaghatai Kháns, and before him there was, in many respects, no one like him in his family. None of the Chaghatai Kháns who preceded him had passed the age of forty ; nay, most of them never reached that age. But this prosperous Khán attained to the age of seventy-four. Towards the end of his life, growing repentant and devout, he became a disciple of that Refuge of the Pious, Násiruddin Khwája Ubaidulláh (in this history, wherever the term "His Holiness" is used, it refers to the Khwája), and him the Khán followed with piety. He was also acquainted with many other Shaikhs, and used to associate with them. His nature was adorned with many high qualities and virtues ; he possessed also many acquirements, among which may be mentioned the reading of the Korán. He was of an even temper, his conversation was charming, and he had a quick perception. He excelled in penmanship, painting, and other accomplishments conformable with a healthy nature, and was well-trained in singing and instrumental music. He studied under Sharaf-ud-Din Ali Yazdi, with whom he spent twelve years, and travelled much in foreign countries. Of all these acquirements and travels, a more full account will (God willing) be given in the First Part of this history. He was graced with good qualities and perfect manners, was unequalled in bravery and heroism, and excelled especially in archery. In a word, no one of all his family can be compared to him. The Khán had seven children.
1. Mihr Nigár Khánim, whom he gave to Sultán Ahmad Mirzá. She died childless.
2. Kutluk Nigár Khánim, whom he gave to Omar Shaikh Mirzá. She had two children : Khánzáda Begum, who still honours the throne of chastity, and Bábar Pádisháh, who has illumined the world with the radiance of his power and his exploits, as I have recounted in the First Part, and will relate again in this Epitome whenever it suits the context.
3. Khub Nigar Khanim, who was given to my father, as has been mentioned above.
4. Sultan Mahmud Khan, a short notice of whose history will be given.
5. Sultan Ahmad Khan, known as Alacha Khan, of whom, also, I shall speak briefly.
6. Sultan Nigar Khanim, who was given to Mirza Sultan Mahmud, son of Sultan Abu Said. She had one son, who is known as Mirza Khan; and his son Sulaiman is, at the present time, king of Badakhshan.
7. Daulat Sultan Khanim, who fell into the hands of Timur Sultan, son of Shahi Beg Khan, at the sacking of Tashkand. She too will be mentioned farther on.