The Nāṣirī Generations 242.5

242.5

By the decrees of heaven, a merchant, having purchased him, brought him to the cities of Islām; and Ikhtiyār-ul-Mulk, Rashīd-ud-Dīn, Abū-Bikr, the Habash [Abyssinian], who had proceeded from the Court of Dihlī on a mission to Miṣr [Egypt] and Baghdād, purchased the [future] Malik, the Amir-i-Hajib, from that merchant. Indications of rectitude were manifest on his brow, and Ikhtiyar-ul-Mulk brought him from thence to the capital, Dihli, and the august Sultan [I-yal-timish] purchased him of Ikhtiyar-ul-Mulk. The lights of intellect and intelligence, and the indications of rectitude and sagacity were beaming upon his brow. These words are written from a sense of justice and truth, for, among the Turks, a Malik more sagacious, with more modesty or more constancy, the eye of beholder never gazed upon. The Most High God had graced him with divers endowments of manliness and humanity, and adorned him with laudable qualities and excellent conduct. In wisdom and sagacity he excelled all the Wazirs of the past, and, in valour and prowess, had placed the foot of manhood higher on the pinnacle [of perfection ?] than the whole of the champions of Iran and Turan. May the Most High God, in the gardens of bliss on high, confer upon him pardon and mercy, and bless him; and continue the Khan-i-Mu’azzam [his brother], in sway and authority, permanent and perpetual! We now come to the topic of history.