The Rashīdī History 123.4

123.4

On his first visit to Herat, my father had sought out a pious and talented man to be my teacher, whose name was Hafiz Miram. He was, indeed, a pious and ascetic man [fakir] possessed of numerous talents. He could recite the Koran [with special attention to the] modulations of the voice, and wrote the Naskh Taalik hand and others beautifully. My father was much pleased with him; and during [his stay in Herat] this man was his constant companion, whether in the time of contentment and pleasure, or in the days of trial and sorrow. He instructed me in the Koran and in calligraphy. When the time came for starting for Khorasan, my father showed me, in private, much kindness, and did his utmost to console and comfort me, saying: "Your uncle Sultan Mahmud Khan has arrived [from Moghulistan] in spite of my having warned him both by word and in writing. I said to him, 'After the conquests of Amir Timur, and the devastation [takhríb] of Moghulistan, your forefathers, though dispersed, remained in that country, and were awaiting their opportunity. Contenting themselves with scanty clothing and simple food, they took care of their people and their army. Thus passed 150 years, until the sun of your noble nature rose in Moghulistan, which is an eastern clime and the quarter where rise the lights of the Khakans.