The Rashīdī History 157.4

157.4

He was the prop and stay and overseer of the whole of that army. His wisdom and foresight were well known, and he was famed for perception and penetration. His story, and all that he did, has been already related. He was conspicuous among his contemporaries, and without an equal among the tribesmen. According to the reckoning then drawn up, he had one hundred and eighty men in his following. Next [in standing] was Kara Kulak Mirza, who has been mentioned above, in connection with the Khan's adventures in Moghulistan. During those events, this Kara Kulak Mirza held, at one time, the dignity of Amir, and at another, fell into the most abject poverty, until at last, leaving the Khan, he went to Andijan and there managed to live with the Uzbeg, in some way or another, exchanging the bitterness of poverty for the sweets of commerce. At the time the Khan captured Andijan, he again entered his service. In a word, this Kara Kulak Mirza was renowned both for his courage and sound judgment, and great reliance was placed in him. In the enumeration [of the army], one hundred followers were entered in his name. [Another was] his brother, Shah Nazar Mirza, who had precedence over his elder brother in all matters. His retainers were entered as sixty in number. Another was Mirza Ali Taghai; the wiles this man could devise after a moment's reflection, could not have been invented by a cunning Delilah after years of deep thought.