The Rashīdī History 238.6

238.6

In the meanwhile Maulana Kudash arrived, bringing with him some of my chief retainers. Being reinforced by this band, we marched for Balti, which touches the confines of Kashmir. All Balti paid the appointed tax in kind, without hesitation or delay. Suru is a department of Balti, and its chief defence and stronghold. Maulana Kudash asked permission from me to go and impose a levy upon Suru, but I would not consent to this, knowing that those infidels would not be willing to let any one visit their districts and valleys. [Indeed the people of Suru] begged that [no one might come]. "Whatever amount is due," [they said], "that we will ourselves bring to the camp where you now are; there is no need for you to come [to us]." However, when the fowler of destiny places the grain of earthly desire in the net of fate, not even a bird of wisdom can escape from that net. [Couplet]. . . . But Kudash, not accepting my refusal, was so importunate in his demands that I at last sanctioned his going, and he set forth. The people of Suru put him to death in a narrow pass, together with twenty-four worthy men who were with him; they were subjected to a hundred ignominies, and were unable to strike a blow. Although our force numbered some seven hundred men, yet, on account of our poverty and want of arms, we were unable to avenge him. [Three couplets]. . . .