The Nāṣirī Generations 240: XXII. AZ KULLI DAD-BAK, MALIK SAIF-UD-DIN, I-BAK, THE SHAMSI, ’AJAMI.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 240
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XXII. AZ KULLI DAD-BAK, MALIK SAIF-UD-DIN, I-BAK, THE SHAMSI, ’AJAMI.
240.1
Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, the Shamsi, ’Ajami, is, by origin of Khifchak, a Malik adorned with justice, sagacity, strictness, and judgment, and famed and celebrated for all manner of energy and ability. In the learning of the Musalman faith he was proficient, in religiousness perfect, and in words and in deeds sincere, on the path of probity and justice staunch and regular. It must be about eighteen years since the bench of the administration of justice was adorned by his dignity; and, during the whole period, he has followed the path of justice and equity, and been obedient to the canons of the [Muhammadan] law, and beyond those which the law decrees he has not added a tittle. The writer of this History, Maulana Minhaj-i-Saraj — God protect him ! — upon two occasions, for nearly eight years, by the gracious command of the Sultan of Sultans, Nasir-ud-Dunya wa ud-Din — The Almighty perpetuate his rule and sovereignty!— is seated on the same bench with that just Malik in the Court of Justice at the capital city, Dihli, and the author has seen that the whole of his acts, procedures, and expositions have been conformable with the faith and its ordinances. By the dignity of his punishments, and the majesty of his justice, the multitude of contumacious [persons] round about the capital, and the gangs of evil doers and robbers, having drawn back the hand of violence within the sleeve of relinquishment and suspension, are quiescent in the corner of fear and terror.
240.2
From the period when Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, became enrolled among the series of slaves of the Court of the Shamsi dynasty — the asylum of the universe — he has, at all times, been reverenced ; and every district, fief, or tract of country, which has been entrusted to his charge, through his equity and rigour, has become flourishing and prosperous, and the commonalty have dwelt in quiet and tranquillity, and have continued safe and exempt from oppression and violence. During this period since he has been the Amir-i-Dad [Chief Justiciary] of the kingdom of Dihli, the customary fees at the rate of ten or fifteen per cent, which other Chief Justices before him have imposed, he has not extorted, nor has he had any concern with such, neither has he considered such to be legal. At the outset of his career when he became severed from the tribes of Khifchak and his native country, and through the discord of kindred became a captive in the bonds of misfortune, he chanced to fall into the service of the generous Khwajah, Shams-ud-Din, the 'Ajami, who was the Malik-ut-Tujjar [Chief of the Merchants] of the countries of Ajam, ’Irak, Khwarazm, and Ghaznin, and, up to this period of time, they call Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, by the term Shamsi, after that great man.
240.3
When Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, reached the sublime Court of Sultan Shams-ud-Din, I-yal-timish [along with his master], and the Sultan purchased him, he acquired favour and influence. Perceiving the indications of energy and vigour which were depicted on his brow, the august Sultan used to send him upon important affairs into different parts of the kingdom, and assign him duties, until, in the reign of Sultan Raziyyat, he became Sahm-ul-Hasham [Marshal of the Retinue]. In the reign of Sultan Mu’izz-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, he became Amir-i-Dad [Justiciary] of Karah; and, when the throne devolved on Sultan ’Ala-ud-Din, Mas’ud Shah, in the year 640 H., he became Amir-i-Dad of the illustrious capital, the city of Dihli, and the fief of the Amirs-i-Dad, and the bench [pertaining to that office] passed to him. After some time, when the throne devolved upon the Sultan of Sultans, Nasir-ud-Dunya wa ud-Din, Mahmud Shah, the fief of Palwal and Kamah with the bench of the justice-ship, was entrusted to him; and, after some time, he obtained the fief of Baran; and, in that part, inflicted condign punishment upon the contumacious. Some time subsequently, Kasrak, with the office of chief justiciary, was given him in fief, and, after two years, he again obtained Baran; and, up to this present time, it is in his charge.