The Rashīdī History 108.5

108.5

Khusrau Shah immediately despatched 20,000 men, under his brother Mir Vali. Those in Karatigin were under no apprehensions from anything on his side, but remained where they were, far and near. When they learned the approach of the army, they immediately mustered all the men they could, to the number of about 500, and occupied the pass. The snow was so deep that no one dared leave the road. Both sides dismounted and the fight commenced. It lasted from morning till night. Finally our people had no arrows left, for on both sides every arrow that was shot was lost in the snow. The enemy were very numerous, and advanced to the fight in detachments; while as soon as the arrows of one detachment were expended, another came up to take its place and continued the fight. But we had on our side only one body, and towards evening, our arrows being entirely expended, our people turned and fled. Among the Amirs of my father, who died of arrow-wounds in that fight, were Bagh Yasar Oghlan, Khush Kdi Kukildash, and several more. My father escaped, with six others, towards the hills of the country of Farghana, which lie on the eastern side of that country, between Kashghar and Andijan. In those mountains are people whom they call Jagirak, and who, at that time, were great cattle-stealers. Not long after this, however, they were exterminated by Mirza Aba Bakr. But Khusrau Shah had carried away all our servants and retinue to Kunduz, where they spent one year as best they could.