The Rashīdī History 120.1

120.1

It has been already related that the Emperor, in the year 909, conquered Kâbul from Mukim, son of Zunnun Arghun. [On this expedition] he was accompanied by nearly 20,000 men of the army of Khusrau Shâh. Now as Kâbul was unable to support so great a host, the Emperor resolved to invade Hindustân. But on that expedition, from ignorance of the roads, they frequently came to places where provisions were scarce, and most of their cattle perished. Although there was not a single battle in that campaign, yet the army suffered a severe reverse. On their return to Kâbul, many of Khusrau Shâh's men deserted him. At this crisis Shâh Begum and my father arrived in Kâbul, and the Emperor proceeded to Khorâsân (as has been related above). After we went to Kandahâr, in consequence of all that had passed, the people were reduced to the most afflicting want and distress. In addition to this, Jahângir Mirzâ, who was at that time the stay and support of the Emperor's government, died. After the occurrence of these events, he [the Emperor] wished to strengthen his power by whatever means were available, in order that he might be firmly and securely established in Kabul. To this end, he sent an envoy to Shah Beg in Kandahar. Shah Beg was the son of Zunnun Arghun, who was one of the greatest Amirs of Mirza Sultan Husain, under whom he had, during thirty years, conducted the affairs of Kandahar and Zamindawar.