The Rashīdī History 145.4

145.4

Even previous to the time of Kasim Khan's assumption of the title of Khan, his power was so great that no one considered Baranduk Khan; nevertheless he did not wish to live side by side with Baranduk Khan, because, if near him, he would not be able to pay him due respect, but would offer him opposition; and [he felt that] if he did treat him with honour, he could not reconcile passive submission with his own private convictions. He therefore kept at a distance. Baranduk Khan lived at Sarai Chuk, and Kasim Khan, in order to be far away from him, went to the confines of Moghulistan. He made Karatal his winter quarters, intending, early in the spring, to return to his original capital; when one of Kitta Beg's men, with some of the chief inhabitants of Sairam, arrived, bringing the keys of Sairam and beseeching him to accept the town, which he did. He then marched on Taraz, which the Moghuls call Tangi. In advance of himself, he despatched one of his own Amirs, into whose hands Kitta Beg delivered the town of Sairam. [Kitta Beg waited on Kasim Khan in person, and induced him to attack Tashkand.] Kasim Khan then set out with a countless army for Tashkand, where Suyunjuk Khan had fortified himself within the citadel. Kasim Khan arrived, spent one night outside, and then turned back again, plundering all the environs of Tashkand as he went. The rest of the events of Kasim Khan's life will be related in their proper place.