The Rashīdī History 235: CHAPTER CVII. · ACCOUNT OF MUHAMMADI BARLAS WHO WAS AMIR-UL-UMARA TO RASHID KHAN— OR RATHER HIS REASONING SOUL.
The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross) 235
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CHAPTER CVII. · ACCOUNT OF MUHAMMADI BARLAS WHO WAS AMIR-UL-UMARA TO RASHID KHAN— OR RATHER HIS REASONING SOUL.
235.1
He was son of Ali Mirak, son of Daryish Husain Barlas. During the Khan's sojourn in the province of Farghana, on the occasion of the release of Rashid Sultan from the captivity of the Uzbeg, and when he rejoined his father, the latter appointed Ghuri Barlas, Muhammadi's uncle, to be [Rashid's] Ata Beg. But about the same time, Ghuri Barlas died a natural death. The office of Ata Beg was then, quite properly, conferred upon Ali Mirak Barlas. A few years after the reduction of Kashghar, Ali Mirak Barlas went on a holy war to Tibet, and the office of Ata Beg to Rashid Sultan, descended by inheritance, to Muhammadi. Soon after this, Rashid Sultan was brought into Moghulistan. The Amirship over all, was given to Mirza Ali Taghai, while the affairs of the Kirghiz were placed under the control of Muhammad Kirghiz. Muhammadi was likewise in the service of Rashid Sultan, as has been explained.
235.2
Ali Mirak Barlas was my uncle's maternal uncle, by reason of which connection, my uncle and I used every effort to further his interests. But Mirza Ali Taghai was not friendly towards him. Without showing it, he was afraid that my uncle's intentions were evil and his devotion insincere. On [Muhammadi's] account, Mirza Ali Taghai's dislike for my uncle increased, while Muhammadi, on every occasion, sought to defend my uncle. At length, Shah Muhammad Sultan was killed by [Muhammadi]. It has been mentioned above, how the Khanims and the heirs of the dead man, were bent on retaliating by the death of Muhammadi, and how my uncle and I rescued him from that calamity. This produced bitterness against me on the part of my maternal aunts, their children and my other relations. All this [hostility] was encountered for the sake of Muhammadi.
235.3
The atrocities which took place after the death of the Khan, the murders, the violence, all [seemed to be the working of Mirza Ali Taghai]. Though Mirza Ali Taghai used all his influence, yet without the sanction of [Muhammadi], Rashid Sultan would never have committed such scandalous acts. In fact [Muhammadi's] influence for evil was greater [than Mirza Ali Taghai's], and his control over Rashid Sultan's mind was so great, that the latter did whatever he told him, however "infidel" the action might be. All these lying tales and unrighteous deeds were for the sake of [Muhammadi]. The ladies of the Khan's haram — Rashid Sultan's [step-] mothers — were pressed to marry Muhammadi, and those who did not yield, he went so far, in his resentment, as to plunder and expel. But he did not see fit that the mates of the huma should become the co-mates of the crows.
235.4
His own sister Badi-ul-Jamal Khanim had been engaged to Baush Sultan, son of Adik Sultan, the Uzbeg Kazak. When he [Rashid Sultan], in alliance with the Uzbeg Shaiban, routed the Uzbeg Kazak, Baush Sultan, because of his position as son-in-law, and relying on this [for safety], came forward to meet Rashid Sultan, who threatened to put him to death if he did not at once divorce Badi-ul-Jamal Khanim. Having taken her from this chief, who was worthy of the alliance, he gave her to Muhammadi, whose ancestors had never attained to a dignity nearly so great. This act was a complete breach of propriety: for a peasant was treated as of equal rank with a prince. But Rashid Sultan disregarded everything, and brought disgrace upon his own house. He could not distinguish a man endowed with reason, from a brute beast. Still the most infamous thing of all, was taking her from a worthy man and giving her to an unworthy one. Such a deed is quite unheard of.
235.5
[Muhammadi's] influence over Rashid Sultan was without limit, but the reason for it was never apparent. It did not lie in the merit of past services, nor in his intelligence and sagacity as an Amir; nor yet in eloquence in council, nor in affable manners or good breeding, nor in vivacious humour at feasts, nor in courage in battle, nor in grace or charm of bearing. [Verses] . . . All that he said and did, was tainted with falsehood and evil. In short, all the unworthy deeds of Rashid Sultan are to be traced to him. We have nothing further to blame Rashid Sultan for, than that he allowed himself, on every occasion, to be guided by Muhammadi. There has lately come a report that Muhammadi has bidden this life farewell. If it is true, it is not unlikely that Rashid Sultan will grasp the reins of rectitude, and renouncing his evil ways, will repent him fully. Amen. Oh Lord of the two worlds!