The Nāṣirī Generations 252.3

252.3

X. Yassuka the Bahadur, whose name is also written Yassuka and Yassukae and, erroneously, Tasuka the most competent and sagacious of Bartan’s sons, succeeded to the chieftain-ship of the Mughal tribes, and ruled over 40,000 families. This last statement shows plainly, however, that these persons, whom chroniclers make out to be such mighty sovereigns, could only have ruled over a few tribes, or their power must have dwindled considerably. The rulership over 40,000 families was not considerable, since the Jala-irs alone were previously computed at 70,000. Yassuka is the father of the Chingiz Khan, and, during his chieftain-ship, Iridam-chi, the Barlas, died, and his eldest son, Sughuj-chi whose name is also written Sughu-chijan signifying wise, succeeded to his late father’s offices. He is the fifth ancestor of Amir Timur, the statement of Mr. H. H. Howorth, in his “Mongols Proper,” notwithstanding. On account of the ancient enmity which had come down from one generation to another, and still more recent causes of hostility between the I-maks of the Tattar and Mughal Turks, the Bahadur, Yassuka, in concert with Sughu-chijan led an army against them, overthrew them, and made captive Tamu-chi, but more correctly, Tamur-chi, which is also written Tamur-chin—the meaning of which will be explained farther on in the account of the Chingiz Khan—and Karbuka or Karbugha, who were their rulers and chiefs, and plundered their property and effects.