[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Kashmir](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir) › [Tārīkh-i Rashīdī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi) › [The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross) › 117 # The Rashīdī History 117: Return from the Digression. The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross) 117 - **Language:** English ### Return from the Digression. ### [117.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117.1) My father arrived in Khorasan at the time when its pomp and splendour and learning were at their highest, and the fame of Herat and its people was spread over the world. At that time the sons of Mirza Sultán Husain, who had revolted against their illustrious father, had repented and had been allowed to kiss his feet, and they now surrounded the Mirza's throne with honour and respect. When my father arrived in Herat, the people came out to receive him, and attended his passage with honour. They then conducted him to a magnificent residence — worthy of his rank — which they had made ready for him. \[When my father went to pay his respects to Mirza Sultan Husain\], Mir Muhammad Baranduk Barlás, who had been one of the Amirs of Sháh Rukh and who, at that time, in respect of age, rank, understanding, intelligence, and knowledge of the laws and customs, had not his equal among the whole of the Chaghatái Ulus, came and spoke to my father about kneeling at the audience. My father agreed to his proposals. The Mirza also showed my father great honour, and placed him above all his children, even above his son Bádi-uz-Zamán, who was the eldest and most respected of the Mirza's sons. In this city, which might have been compared to Paradise, my father commanded the utmost respect and distinction, and enjoyed every possible luxury. ### [117.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117.2) The Mirza, for his personal satisfaction, had determined on an alliance between one of his granddaughters and my father. The latter did not approve of this connection, because the Mirza was very old and afflicted with paralysis and gout, and the power of his children would not be such that, when they succeeded their father, they would be able to cope with Shahi Beg Khán. Nevertheless, as it had been arranged, he contracted the marriage. In the meanwhile, Shah Begum, as has been mentioned above, went from Moghulistán to Samarkand with a petition for Shahi Beg Khan. The latter was intent on the conquest of Khwárizm, which was a dependency of Mirza Sultán Husain. It was on Shahi Beg Khán's warning that my father had fled to Khorásán, and Sultan Said Khán had taken refuge in Moghulistán. Most of the Moghul chiefs had gone to the kingdom of the next world, while some had been thrown into confinement. Shah Begum was banished and sent to Khorásán. The rest of the Moghuls accompanied the expedition into Khwarizm. ### [117.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117.3) In enumerating the names of the children of Yunus Khan, I mentioned that the eldest was Mihr Nigdr Khdnim, who married Sultdn Ahmad Mirza, king of Samarkand. When Shahi Beg Khdn seized and put to death Sultdn Ali Mirzd and subdued Samarkand, he married Mihr Nigdr Khdnim. When he besieged Bdbar Pddishdh in that city, for the last time, and compelled him to capitulate, he demanded Khdnzdda Begum. Bdbar Pddishah gave up Khdnzdda Begum in exchange for his own life, and escaped, as has been mentioned. Now as Mihr Nigdr Khdnim was maternal aunt to Khdnzdda Begum, and as it was unlawful for both to be wedded to the same man, he divorced Mihr Nigdr Khdnim, and married Khdnzdda Begum. The Khdnim had dwelt in Samarkand. When Shdh Begum was sent to Khorasan, the Khdnim accompanied her mother-in-law. My father had a maternal aunt, who had remained in Shahr-i-Sabz, whither many of her connections had fled: she, having taken my brother Muhammad Shah with her, came with the Begum and the Khdnim to Khorasan. Before the arrival of this party, my father resolved to make the Pilgrimage of the Hijaz, but when they joined him he gave up this intention, thinking that they would be in danger if left alone in a strange land. He then decided to remove them to Kabul, where Bdbar Pddishah was, as has been related. Shdh Begum was the stepmother of the Emperor's mother; Mihr Nigdr Khdnim was his maternal aunt. ### [117.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117.4) In short, having, with this intention, obtained leave to depart from Mirzd Sultdn Husain, they set out for Kdbul. A few days before they reached Kabul the mother of Bdbar Pddishah, Kutluk Nigdr Khdnim, died, and her death was a great misfortune to all. In spite of his mourning, Bdbar Pddishdh came out to receive them, and gave the party a warm welcome, accompanied by every honour that he was able to show them. Here they spent some time in the greatest ease and comfort. Soon after this, came news of the death of Mirzd Sultdn Husain. In the natural order of things, and in conformity with recognised custom and practice, Mirzd Bddi-uz-Zamd&n should have succeeded his father on the throne. But Khadija Begum, one of the late Sultdn's wives, who was at the head of a factious party, succeeded in getting Muzaffar Husain Mirza, who was her own son, to share the government with Mirzd Bddi-uz-Zamdn. This she did, in spite of the objections of the wise men of the time \[who were at last compelled to consent to the unstable arrangement\] which was in consequence carried out. In the meantime, Jahdngir Mirza, who was in Ghazni, being discontented with the narrow limits of his territories, marched for Khorasdn. \[At the same time\] he sent a petition to the Emperor, saying: "Sultan Husain Mirzd has lately departed this life. It has occurred to me that, at this crisis, I should go and offer my help and alliance to his sons. ### [117.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117.5) Probably I may be able to help them in some way." When this petition reached Bábar Pádisháh, he at once set out, with the intention that if he fell in with Jahángir Mirzá on the road, he would turn him back, or if not, would pursue his brother into Khorásán. \[In either case\] he would not be long in ascertaining what schemes Mirzá Jahángir had in his mind. As soon as the Emperor had resolved on this plan, he came to my father's house, and asked him to undertake the management of Kabul and its dependencies. My father would not accept the invitation, but said, in excuse: "When in Khorásán, I resolved to undertake the Pilgrimage; if I were to bind myself to the measure you propose, my resolution would be to no purpose. Let this business be entrusted to one of your great Amirs, and I will render him assistance to the utmost extent of my ability." The Emperor then sent for Nizám-ud-Din Ali Khalifa Mauláná Bábá Bishághari, Amir Ahmad Kásim Kuhbur, and one or two other of his \[trustworthy\] chiefs, and after complimenting \[my father\], said to him: "I am about to start for Khorásán, having the most perfect reliance on you. These Amirs will conduct the different affairs of the State under your general supervision." Having thus spoken, and after farther compliments, he set out for Khorásán. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.117) · Pramāṇa