The Rashīdī History 123.1

123.1

My father and Mirza Khan left Kabul and went to Kandahar, whence the former proceeded, with the intention of making the Holy Pilgrimage, while Mirza Khan remained at Kandahar. [My father] had resolved to go to Sistan, and taking the road by Neh and Bandan, to reach Kirman; since if he travelled by way of Khorasan, he would be hindered by the importunities of the Mirzas. On nearing Farah he was met by a body of fugitives, in the most pitiable state imaginable, who told him that Shahi Beg Khan had seized Khorasan in the manner above related. When they reached Farah they found that the roads on every side were unsafe, and there was nothing left for my father but to remain where he was. Thus he stayed three months in Farah. On Shahi Beg Khan hearing of his whereabouts, he sent him a most courteous invitation [which he accepted], and, accompanied by the magnates of Farah, he went to visit Sháhi Beg Khán, who was then encamped at Ulang Kahdastán, in great magnificence; but the limits of this Epitome prevent me from giving full particulars. No one would ever have imagined that change and destruction were coming over his affairs within a few years; it is wonderful how, in a short space of time, all went to ruin, in a way that will be briefly described.