The Rashīdī History 132.1

132.1

In the early part of Ramazan of the year 916 [1510 a.d.] a person came to Kabul with a letter from Mirza Khan to the Emperor. The passes were blocked with snow, for it was the season of the beginning of Capricorn. The letter contained the news that Shah Ismail, having come from Irak, had engaged and defeated Shahi Beg Khan at Merv. It had not been fully ascertained whether Shahi Beg Khan had been killed or not. All the Uzbeg had recrossed the river Amu, and fled to Kunduz, where Amir Urus Durman then was. Nearly 20,000 Moghuls, having separated from the Uzbeg, had also gone to Kunduz from Merv. "I, myself," he added, "have gone over to Kunduz. If you will quickly turn the reins of your power in the direction of Kunduz, I will attach myself to you, and I have the firmest hope that you may soon recover your hereditary kingdom." [As soon as the Emperor had read the contents of this letter] he set out with all possible speed [although it was] in the depth of winter. [He took the route] of Ab Dara [since by that route] there were no high passes to cross. He kept the Feast of Ramazan in the Bamian district, and at the beginning of Shawal reached Kunduz, where he was received by Mirza Khan, and by the Moghuls who had been with the Uzbeg. Having reposed for a few days in Kunduz, after the fatigues of the journey, it was proposed that they should proceed against Hisar, where Hamza Sultan and Mahdi Sultan, two of the most eminent of the Uzbeg Sultans, were ruling.