The Rashīdī History 54.1

54.1

As has been already mentioned, Amir Khudaidad lived in Moghulistan in the service of the Khans. His native country was Kashghar, which had been given as a fief [akta'a] to his ancestors, by Chingiz Khan. This matter however will be referred to in the Second Part, when I speak of the country of Kashghar. Amir Sayyid Ahmad had an impediment in his speech, and only those who were accustomed to hear him speak, could understand him. He was also hard of hearing, so that it was necessary to speak very loudly to him in order to make him understand. His father sent him to Kashghar as governor, which position he retained for a considerable time, till at length Khwaja Sharif, one of the nobles of Kashghar, became very powerful and all looked to him for help and advice. Khwaja Sharif was a noble-minded man, but he was displeased with Sayyid Ahmad Mirza, so he handed over the government to Mirza Ulugh Beg, while Amir Sayyid Ahmad fled from Kashghar to his father, and soon afterwards died. Amir Ali, the son of Sayyid Ahmad Mirza, lived with his grandfather Amir Khudaidad, who loved him better than all his other children; for he was without rival in stature and strength as well as in courage, talent and understanding. He used to be called Sayyid Ali Alif.