The Nāṣirī Generations 128.1.6

128.1.6

A reliable person among the trustworthy has related, that, when Baniko of Taraz became a Musalman, Sultan Muhammad was wont to show him great deference and respect, and used constantly to send for him, and was in the habit of questioning him respecting the past events [in the history] of Khita-i, and the previous Maliks [kings] who had fought with him in the forty-five encounters he had been engaged in, the whole of which the Sultan made inquiry about of him. Upon one occasion, when engaged in such conversation, the Sultan inquired of him, saying:— "In all these battles which you have fought, and amid the monarchs you have defeated, which among the whole of them was the most valiant and the sturdiest in battle?" Baniko replied:— "I found none more valiant, more impetuous in battle, or more intrepid than the Ghuri; and, if he had had an army along with him refreshed and not worn out, I should never have been able to beat him; but, he had retreated before the army of Khwarazm, and but a small number of cavalry remained with him, and their horses had become thin and weak." Sultan Muhammad replied:— "You speak truly." The mercy of God be upon them! Sultan Muhammad having gained such a great success, the second year after, again assembled an army, and led a force of 400,000 effective cavalry, both horses and riders arrayed in defensive armour, into Khita-i, and completely overthrew Gur Khan, who was the Great Khan of [Kara] Khita. The whole of the horses, camels, and other