The Rashīdī History 106.9

106.9

From Khwaja Tajuddin Muhammad, who inherited from his ancestors the office of Shaikh-ul-Islam of that country (and who was, in truth, a most admirable, austere man, and endowed with many good qualities) I have heard the following: "When the Khán was extremely ill, I said to him, 'It is commonly reported that Shahi Beg Khán has caused poison to be put in your food; if your Highness is also of this opinion, I will bring some of that powerful antidote, which comes from Khitai, and administer it.' The Khan replied, 'Yes, indeed, Shahi Beg Khán has poisoned me, and the poison is this: having risen from the most degraded station to the highest elevation, he has taken us two brothers prisoners and then set us at liberty. This disgrace is the cause of my succumbing to illness. If yours is an antidote against this kind of poison, it may prove efficient.'" Sultán Ahmad Khán had eighteen sons. (1.) The eldest, Mansur Khán, from 909 to the present date of 948, has ruled over his father's dominions with absolute power. An account of him will be given in this Epitome. (2.) Iskandar Sultán, who died a natural death, soon after his father's demise. (3.) Sultán Said Khán, whose history will be related. Whereever "the Khán" is spoken of in an absolute way, in this Epitome, it is this Khán that is meant. (4.) Bábáják Sultán, who is still in the service of Mansur Khán.