The Nāṣirī Generations 189.4

189.4

So that investiture was ordered to be given to the merchant of Safahan — that indigent wretch, who lacked even a morsel and a garment of rags. The chief personages and intelligent men, there present, in behalf of that destitute man, represented, saying: "The feudatory of Safahan is in want of resources for the expenses of the road, and for the preparation of equipage, to enable him to take possession of that city and territory;” and he ['Ali-i-Mardan] commanded a large sum of money to be given to that person for his necessary expenses. The nature of 'Ali-i-Mardan’s presumption, cruelty, and hypocrisy amounted to this degree; and, together with such conduct, he was [moreover] a tyrant and a homicide. The weak and indigent [people] and his own followers were reduced to a [perfect] state of misery through his oppression, tyranny, and bloodthirstiness; and they found no other means of escape save in rising against him. A party of the Khalj Amirs conspired together, and slew ’Ali-i-Mardan, and placed Malik Husam-ud-Din, ’Iwaz, upon the throne. The reign of ’Ali-i-Mardan was two years, or more or less than that.