The Rashīdī History 83.1

83.1

As an account will be given of Sultán Mahmud Khán, it is necessary to say a few words about his early life. When Sultán Yunus Khán returned a second time from Khorásán, Amir Sayyid Ali had died, and Sániz Mirzá had sought the assistance of Yunus Khán, as has been mentioned. Yunus Khán, in those days, often went backwards and forwards to Káshghar. At that time, the Khán sent Amir Ziá-ud-Din (who was one of the most eminent Sayyids of Káshghar) to Sháh Sultán Muhammad Badakhshi, in Badakhshán, to ask one of his most immaculate daughters in marriage. Sháh Sultán Badakhshi was of the race of Sikandar Zulkarnain, Filikus Rumi. Sikandar, after he had conquered the regions of the world, consulted with his wise men, saying: "Find me a place which shall be out of the reach of the princes of the earth [Sultans of the time], in which I may place my descendants." The councillors chose Badakhshán, and they wrote a Book of Regulations [Dastur ul amal]; so that as long as the regulations were observed, no one prince could prevail in this country.