The Rashīdī History 176: CHAPTER LIX. · THE KHAN'S RETURN AFTER THE PEACE—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AND VISIT OF BÁBÁJAK SULTÁN.
The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross) 176
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CHAPTER LIX. · THE KHAN'S RETURN AFTER THE PEACE—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AND VISIT OF BÁBÁJAK SULTÁN.
176.1
[After the conclusion of this affair] the Khán made for Yárkand. At Sungtash, which is three days' journey from Uch, on the road to Kashghar, he separated from his army, and riding long stages [ilghár], arrived at Yárkand in six days. Here new displays of festivity and rejoicing were commenced [verses] . . . . ; and every one, according to his means, made merry and rejoiced. At the season of the Khan's return to Yárkand, the King of Kings of the Firmament had placed the fourth throne of his sovereignty in the palace of Taurus, and the Prince of the Flowers had pitched his tent on the plains. [Verses] .... From the time of his accession to that day, a period of about two years, the Khan had lived in the citadel of Yárkand, both summer and winter. But this year, feeling his mind relieved of all its anxieties, when the season of flowers and foliage came round [verses] .... he changed his quarters from the town to the palace of Gul Bagh, [which had been] a favourite residence of Mirza Aba Bakr. When the temperate days of spring changed to the oppressive heat of summer, the only way to keep in health was to sit under the shade of the trees. On this account the Khan retired to Gul Bagh, and there enjoyed the protection afforded by the shade of his garden. Meanwhile the army and the populace were dwelling in peace, and the nobles and pillars of the State lived in the lap of luxury and magnificence. Every brain had its scheme, and every scheme had a brain [to work it].
176.2
All the Amirs came to the palace of the Khan to sit in council; they made the following representation to him: [Most noble Khan] to-day, by the favour of God's assistance, the arm of our State is strong enough to lay low its enemies, and annihilate its opponents at one blow. If you do not take vengeance on your enemies now, when will you be able to do so? If you do not destroy them now, when will you have the power to destroy them? [Verses] ....
176.3
Thus were the Khan's old projects revived, and he issued a mandate [yarligh] for the mustering of troops and preparation for an expedition. At the close of summer [922] he marched for Andijan, to make war on Suyunjuk Khan. He gathered all his army together in Kashghar, and set out from there. On reaching Tuyun Bashi, he resolved upon a hunt, and issued stringent orders for the preparations. On the second day [the beaters] formed a ring. [Three couplets] .... When the hunt was at an end, they left that place and proceeded to encamp on the south side of Chadir Kul. There they learnt the approach of Babajak Sultan. His reason for coming was, that on the occasion of Mansur Khan's interview with the Khan, Babajak Sultan, being in the service of the former (whose full brother he was) could not go and wait on the Khan. But when autumn came round, he asked permission from Mansur Khan to do so, saying, that if he did not wait on his brother, he would be considered guilty of disrespect. Mansur Khan had given him leave, and he, having set off from his home of Bai and Kusan, was now arriving.
176.4
When he reached Kashghar, he learnt that the Khan had [just] left on his way to fight Suyunjuk Khan and to invade Andijan. He immediately moved on after him, and overtook him at Chadir Kul. The Khan, in his brotherly affection, was quite overcome with emotion, and though Babajak was his junior in years, went out to receive him. He embraced him warmly, and bestowed upon him brotherly attentions and fatherly kindness. [Couplet] .... [The Khan said]: "I was then bent on avenging myself on my foes: to have summoned my brother at that juncture would have been open to misinterpretation. Thank God that we have both obtained the fulfilment of our wishes. The arrival of my brother is as the commencement of conquest and victory." So saying, the two brothers (Conquest and Victory, as it were) rode off side by side towards Andijan. On reaching Arpa Yázi, they hunted the wild ass, the deer [gavazan] and other animals. So much game did they kill, that the beasts of the plains and the fowls of the air were able to feast upon the flesh, without fighting for it among themselves. [Couplet] .... The Khán, from his ambush, brought down some quarry with every arrow he shot. When the hunt was over, a sumptuous banquet was prepared, in a delicious spot where the air was fresh as in the garden of Iram, and where [the heavens] seemed filled with birds from Paradise. Bábájak Sultán and Aiman Khwája Sultán were in attendance on their brother the Khán, surrounded by a distinguished assembly.
176.5
[Two couplets] . . . When the feast was over, Bábájak Sultán represented apologetically to my uncle: "At the beginning of the spring I was guilty of a neglect of courtesy; I had longed for years to have the happiness of waiting upon you, but my aspiration could not then be realised. After that opportunity had elapsed, I saw that it would be respectful on my part, to come to your court at Yarkand and sprinkle my eyes with the dust of your palace. On reaching Káshghar, I heard of your expedition [against Andiján], whereupon I set out in all haste after you, not waiting to collect an army or make ready the necessaries for an expedition. Thus did I come, [thinking] this time the preparations have been delayed; but next time [that I go against Andiján] my arrangements shall be perfect, and I will bring into my service all the Sultáns and soldiers, with their arms, that are to be found in my country. I will collect such a mighty host that it will be evident to friend and foe alike, that the Khán has, in his train, subjects who can rival the kings of the earth. [If this proposition is acceptable to you, well and good]; if not, it will do me no harm to change my plans. I am ready to devote myself, body and soul, to the Khán."
176.6
In reply to these words the Khán said: "For many years I have longed to see this dear brother. The most fitting form of thanksgiving is that we should return now, and spend a few days together. We will devote ourselves, until next spring, to preparations such as those described by our dear brother; we will then go forward. At the present time the occasion is not suitable; the season is too far advanced. While the enemy remains where he is, we can advance whenever we choose. [Even though we do not go to Andijan at all, nothing will be lost."] So they turned back from Arpa Yazi, and travelled by a direct route towards Kashghar. Babajak Sultan accompanied the Khan to Yarkand, and there they gave themselves over to feasting. The Khan bestowed countless presents and inestimable favours upon him; while each of the Amirs offered presents according to his rank and means. [Verses] .... When these hospitable entertainments had been concluded, Babajak Sultan, having obtained leave to return to his own country, rode away in that direction. Those events happened in the autumn of the aforesaid year [922 = 1516].