The Nāṣirī Generations 170.1.7

170.1.7

Dow, in his translation of Firishtah, states, under the reign of Khusrau Malik [page 129], that “the Emperor Chusero [Khusrau would not have known his own name thus written], in alliance with the Ghickers, besieged the fort of Salcot, but, their endeavours proving unsuccessful, they were obliged to desist.” Briggs, in his version, repeats this in the same words, with the exception of styling Khusrau, Khoosrow Mullik; and the Khokhars, Gukkurs; and that Khusrau had to abandon the investment; but under the reign of Mu’izz-ud-Din, Dow [page 137] states: “This fort [Salcot], as we have before related, was effectually besieged by Chusero, in the absence of Mahommed;” and Briggs also [page 176] says: “This fort, as we have before related, being successfully besieged and taken Khoosrow Mullik, &c.; and thus both translators totally contradict their own previous statements. Firishtah, whom they translate, of course, states, as other writers do, that Khusrau Malik was unable to take it. Led away, I imagine, by this statement, and placing reliance on its correctness, Elphinstone has repeated [page 311] this absurdity. He says “Khusru Malik, taking courage from despair, made an alliance with the Gakkars [Dow, Ghickers; Briggs, Gukkurs; Elphinstone, Gakkars !], captured one of Shahab u din’s strongest forts, and obliged him to call in the aid of stratagem,” &c.