The Nāṣirī Generations 137.3

137.3

The chronicler relates that, in that country [Ghur] there was a merchant, a Yahudi [Jew], [a follower] of the religion of Mihtar Musa [Moses], on whom be peace! This merchant entertained a friendship for Amir Banji. He had travelled a great deal, and had acquired great experience in the ways of the world, and had frequented the capitals of the rulers of the countries around, and had become acquainted with the usages and forms of etiquette of the Courts of Sultans and Princes; and he set out in company with Amir Banji. He was acquainted with the objects and intentions of Amir Banji, and he said to him:—“If I should instruct thee in etiquette, and make thee acquainted with the usages of decorum and politeness, and give thee proper knowledge of the forms and ceremonies observed at the Court of the Khilafat, and in the presence of sovereigns, so that on that account the authority and government of the territory of Ghur shall be conferred upon thee, do thou enter into a covenant with me, that, in every tract that I may desire, throughout the whole of thy territory, thou shalt assign a locality to, and cause to settle therein, a number of the Bani-Isra'il [children of Israel], followers of the faith of Mihtar Musa, in order that under the shadow of thy protection, and beneath the guardianship of thy Maliks and thy offspring, they may dwell in peace and tranquillity.”