The Nāṣirī Generations 243: XXV. UL-KHAKAN-UL-MUA’ZZAM-UL-A’ZAM, BAHA-UL-HAKK WA UD-DIN, ULUGH KHAN-I-BALBAN-US-SULTANI.

243

The Khakan-i-Mu’azzam, Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, is of the posterity of the renowned Khans of the Ilbari [tribe]. The father of Malik Nusrat-ud-Din, Sher Khan-i-Sunkar, and the father of Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam were born of one father and one mother. The father of these two was of the seed of Abar Khan, the Ilbari, and he was the Khan of about 10,000 families; and their affinity to the Ilbari [tribe] of Turkistan is well-known among the tribes of Turks. At this period, the sons of his [Ulugh Khan’s] paternal uncle still continue to hold the name of greatness among those tribes of Turks: this fact was heard [by the author] from the late Malik, Kuret Khan-i-Sanjar.
Forasmuch as the Almighty God had willed to grant a bulwark for the support of Islam and the stability of the Muhammadi religion, and confer a shelter of protection in [this] the end of the world, and keep Hindustan within the area of His own favour and the sphere of integrity, He had removed Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, in his youth, from Turkistan, and, on account of the domination of the Mughals in that country, had severed him from his family and kinsmen, and from among his tribes and people, so that they brought him to Baghdad. The Khwajah, Jamal-ud-Din, of Basrah — on whom be peace! — who was noted for his piety, honesty, resolution of purpose, and conscientiousness, purchased him, and used to foster him in the hall of his kindness like a son. As the signs of integrity and sagacity were clear and manifest upon his sacred brow, he [the Khwajah] was wont to look upon him with the eye of benevolence, and regard him with special esteem ; and, in the year 630 H., he brought Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam to the capital city of Dihli, at which time the throne of sovereignty was adorned with the sublime majesty of the august Sultan, Shams-ud-Din, I-yal-timish — May he rest in peace! — and brought, along with him, several other Turks, to the presence of the Sultan.
When the sacred look of that august monarch fell upon Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam, under the auspices of his dignity and sagacity, the whole of those Turks were disposed of, and he was honoured with an office before the throne. As the lustre of felicity and the effulgence of prosperity shone upon his brow, the Sultan made him his Khasah-dar [personal attendant] as if he had placed the falcon of dominion and power upon his sacred wrist; and, in fact, this took place in order, that, in the reign of his children, Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam should restrain the enemies of the realm from violence and bar their ambition, and so it turned out to the end that the glory of the Shamsi sovereignty might shine forth from the horizon of good fortune. Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam continued to serve in that office; and, by the will of heaven, he found his brother [the future] Kashli Khan, the Amir-i-Hajib, again, and greatly rejoiced at his re-appearance, and acquired strength therefrom.
When the throne of empire devolved upon Sultan Rukn-ud-Din, Firuz Shah, Ulugh Khan went out of the capital along with the Turks when they left it, and proceeded towards [upper?] Hindustan, and, when they were brought back, he returned likewise, in their army, and was imprisoned for a short time, and disappointment overspread his sacred face. The purpose, in that incident, may have been — God knows! — that he might realize the measure of misery of the grief-stricken, so that, when he attained the felicity of dominion, he might have compassion upon such persons, and give thanks for the blessing of power.