The Book of Akbar 118: CHAPTER XVI.

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of them, yet they too, generation after generation, were seized of greatness. Though the name of sovereignty was not, they possessed the reality and shewed it forth by preserving their honour while shut out from the haunts of men. And now that the stages of solitude and society had been fulfilled and a complete preparation had been made for the coming forth of the unique pearl of his Majesty, the king of kings, God, the Creator of the world, stripped off the disguise of dependency which had seemingly been imported into the line by the counsels of Tumana Khan, and displayed a hero fit for and capable of a great sovereignty. Such was the appearance of his Majesty, the Lord of Conjunction, Adorner of the Seven Climes, Exalter of Throne and Diadem, Amir Timur Gurgan. This great one came forth and planted his foot in existence in the environs of Kesh, commonly known as the Shahr-i-sabz (Green City) and one of the towns of Iran, on the night of Tuesday, 25th Sha'ban, 736 (9th April, 1336) in the Mouse Year (First of the Turkish cycle) under the Sign of Capricorn, from the fair womb and pure veil of her Majesty, the perfection of modesty and blessedness, glory of choiceness and purity, guardian of realm and religion, Tagina Khatun. This axis of the sphere of the great vicegerency and ocean-centre of sublime sovereignty is the star of fortune which arose eighth from out the bosom of Qaculi Bahadur.
According to the view of one historian, the true vision of Qaculi Bahadur was fulfilled thereby but, as has already been indicated, this day was, according to the profound investigations of the wise and far-seeing, only the beginning of the ascent of the constellation and the flashing of the first star.
In the fortunate Age in which the Lord of Conjunction was born, Tarmashlrln Khan, son of Dava Khan, son of Baraq Khan, son of