The Rashīdī History 4.3.4

4.3.4

It was about this time that a permanent division occurred in the realm of Chaghatai, the two parts being known by the general names of Mavara-un-Nahr (or Transoxiana) and Moghulistan (or Jatah), though there were other provinces attached to each section. The story of the Khans of the former branch, roughly sketched above, need not be followed further, as the history of Mirza Haidar, which chiefly concerns us, belongs to the other or eastern division, and is told by him, a descendant of its princes, in full. It is only necessary to remark with regard to Mavara-un-Nahr, that from the time of this division forward, the fifty years that remained till the great Amir, Timur, made himself master of the land, confusion and discord prevailed. During those few years the names of fifteen Khans appear in the lists — some of them not even of the Chaghatai line — together with some periods of anarchy when no name occurs. The rise of Timur was the turning-point from decadence to power in Mavara-un-Nahr, but at the same time, the death-blow to the original line of Chaghatai. He reduced the country to order, and ruled with uncontrolled power, though he left to the Khans, whom he set up or pulled down at pleasure, certain dignities and privileges which were nothing more than nominal. We have seen already, how near the empire of Chaghatai came to being divided during the wars of Kaidu.