The Rashīdī History 175: CHAPTER LVIII. · MEETING OF MANSUR KHAN AND SULTAN SAID KHAN, AND CONCLUSION OF PEACE BETWEEN THEM.
The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross) 175
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CHAPTER LVIII. · MEETING OF MANSUR KHAN AND SULTAN SAID KHAN, AND CONCLUSION OF PEACE BETWEEN THEM.
175.1
The winter was passed in Yarkand, in feasting and merry-making. As Turfan was a two months' journey from Kashghar, the negotiations of the ambassadors, the settlement of the place of meeting and other preliminaries lasted a whole year. In the month of Moharram 922, the Khan started for Aksu. [Verses] .... He entered Kashghar in great pomp and splendour. [On the road] I had a fall from my horse and dislocated my right elbow; it was a bad accident, and I was confined for some days in Kashghar before getting well. As soon as the pain began to abate, the Khan set out again, while I remained a few days longer in Kashghar. On my arm becoming cured, I followed the Khan and came up with him at Jai Tuba, whence we proceeded stage by stage to Uch. [Verses] ....
175.2
At that time Aiman Khwaja Sultan was living in Uch, for Aksu was not yet habitable. On the Khan's approach, he came out to meet him with gifts [verses] .... and invited him to come and bless his house by alighting there. He entertained the Khan with regal banquets. [Verses] .... [Departing again] the Khan passed Aksu and pitched his royal camp at a place called Jam, while Mansur Khan, coming from the opposite direction, reached Arbat, which is seven farsakhs from Jam. Mir Jabar Birdi now came and waited on the Khan, and finally settled [under what conditions the two Khans were to meet]. The two armies were to advance and stand opposite each other in battle array; hostages were then to be exchanged; the two Khans were to come forward, each attended by thirty men selected from his own army, and were to meet between the two lines [of troops]. As soon as these plans had been agreed upon, I was sent to Mansur Khan as a hostage. Assiz Birdi was appointed to select the men who were to accompany Mansur Khan. I was received with much affection and friendship by Mansur Khan, who poured down honours upon my head. [Verses] .... When the King of the East placed his foot upon the steps of the throne of the firmament, and brought the whole world under the sway of his brightness, repulsing the powers of night, Mansur Khan set his noble foot in the stirrup, and having drawn up his troops, rode forth.
175.3
On reaching the trysting-place, he sent for Babajak Sultan and Shah Shaikh Muhammad, who were his full brothers, and enjoined them to exercise caution and judgment. Aziz Birdi Agha, standing at the head of the passage [between the lines], told off exactly thirty persons. From the side of Mansur Khdn, Sahib Daulat Begum, sister of Mir Jabar Birdi, and Mahim Khanim, sister of Mansur Khan, were given as hostages. The Khan advanced from the other side, accompanied also by thirty persons. At the meeting-place between the armies, awnings were erected. [Couplet] .... Mansur, advancing first, went and seated himself upon a throne under the shade of the awnings. [Couplet] .... Then the Khan came, and dismounted at a respectful distance. [Couplet] .... When he had approached within the distance assigned by the Moghul custom, he fell on his knees. Although Mansur Khan was the elder brother, he got up, advanced towards the Khan, and embraced him affectionately [couplet] . . . .; then taking him by the hand, he walked towards the throne. When Mansur Khan was seated on the throne, the Khdn rose up and returned to the place where he had first made his obeisance. [Two couplets] .... He then offered him such presents as became the dignity of both; while Mir Jabar Birdi, in presenting the gifts to Mansur, made an eloquent speech, as is the custom of those who observe the Tura. Mansur Khan was pleased with his words, and accepted all the gifts.
175.4
The Khan having knelt again, stood with his arms respectfully crossed on his breast. Mansur Khan then invited him to come and sit at his side, saying: "I know I am your elder brother, but why should you, with your high rank, be so modest before me, who am in the place of a father to you?" The Khdn, having once more made obeisance, expressed his profound respect for Mansur Khan, and returned to his seat. Mansur Khan called him forward again and repeated what he had said before, but with greater emphasis. He, moreover, took the Khdn by the hand and drew him towards himself, when the Khan, having knelt again, took a seat beside him. [Couplet] .... Mansur Khan began by asking: "How did you fare in those disturbed times?" To which the Khdn, with every token of respect, replied: "Misfortunes that end in success — separations that terminate in union — are not remembered. The sweetness of the end causes the bitterness of the beginning to be forgotten. [Two couplets] .... Thanks be to God, that in one moment reparation can be made for what has happened during long years." They went on, then, to discuss policy, military tactics, and justice; they also swore a solemn oath to remain at peace, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship. By the time they had finished all their business, the day was also ended. Mansur Khan next gave the Khan rich presents in the shape of horses and silver, brocades and embroidered robes.
175.5
At the hour of bidding farewell, they embraced once more) and exchanged the clothes they were wearing and the horses they were riding. They finally separated in the most friendly manner, and each went back to his own army. When Mansur Khan returned to his own ranks, he called for me and explained all the particulars of the interview, as I have given them above. Thus conversing, he accompanied me from his troops to the camp. He said: "The thirst of longing and the hunger of absence cannot be satisfied with this small quantity of the wine of union." [Verses] .... He continued to speak in such terms until we arrived at the camp, which we did at about the middle of the first watch of the night. At sunrise Mansur Khan sent for me, and loaded me with favours and distinctions becoming his own greatness. He then permitted me to return, and having travelled all night, I reached the Khan [on the following day]. The Khan told me what Mansur Khan had said, and showed marks of regret at separation from him. The result of this peace was that soldiers and civilians—in fact, every individual—enjoyed full repose and freedom from anxiety, and testified their thankfulness to the two Khans. Ingenious scholars devised many chronograms to commemorate this happy event. Among others, the date was found to be contained in "Du lashkar ba nishát"—Two armies in gladness—922 [1516].