The Rashīdī History 151.2

151.2

The dignity of Khan was, according to the old custom, vested in the eldest Sultan, who was Kuchum Sultan, and the heir-apparent [Kálga] was Suyunjuk Sultan, who however died before Kuchum Sultan, when Jáni Beg Sultan became the heir-apparent. He followed Suyunjuk Sultan, and Kuchum soon after journeyed along the same road. The Khanship now devolved upon Abu Said, son of Kuchum Khan, and on his leaving the throne of the Khánate vacant, Ubaid Ullah Khán sat in his place. From the year 911 down to the end of the reign of the last-mentioned Khan [Abu Said], he had, in reality, conducted the entire affairs of the State; and if he had chosen to assume the title of Khan, no one could rightfully have opposed him. Nevertheless [the Uzbeg] adhered to the old rule and conferred the Khanship upon the most advanced in years. After Abu Said, there remained no one older than [Ubaid Ullah] himself, and he therefore ascended the throne of the Kháns, and continued to perfume the world with the sweet breezes of justice and the scent of right-dealing, until the year 946, when he bade this transitory earth adieu, and his pure soul passed to the regions of the blessed.