The Rashīdī History 109.1

109.1

When the great judge and disposer of all things determines to exalt some mortal with the crown of sovereignty and make him illustrious, he so arranges that great warriors and intelligent councillors assemble round his person, who may defend him from his enemies and ill-wishers, and make all far-sighted men blind and all attentive men deaf, so that father and son, brother and brother, are at enmity with one another. These words may serve as a preface to the story of Shahi Beg Khan. He was the son of Shah Budagh Sultan, the son of Abulkhair Khan. After the death of Abulkhair Khan, disputes arose among those whom he had left behind. To such a length were these quarrels carried, that each one went in a different direction, and thus all the men of noble lineage—the Sultans and the Mirzadas—who were held in esteem by the people, were scattered. In this confusion, Shahi Beg Khan, after much suffering and wandering, being driven to extremity by want, went to Mavara-un-Nahr, where Sultan Ahmad Mirza, son of Sultan Abu Said Mirza, was reigning. Sultan Ahmad Mirza was a powerful king, and had round him Amirs of such dignity and pretensions that they aimed at having kings in their service. One of these Amirs was Amir Abdul-Ali Tarkhan, Governor of Bokhara. Shahi Beg Khan became his vassal, and was entered as one of his retainers. In like manner several other Sultans entered his service. From this circumstance, an estimate may be formed of the splendour and dignity of Sultan Ahmad Mirza.