The Nāṣirī Generations 256.6.5

256.6.5

Mr. H. H. Howorth has not quoted my translation quite correctly [Journal R. As. Soc. Vol. viii. p. 272]. Nowhere have I said that At Khan was “in alliance with the chief of Kara Khitai.” In my note to page 154, I say “Sanjar fought a battle with At Khan,” which, as my authority related it, refers to one of the leaders of the Gur Khan’s forces. Most certainly At Khan was not “the dispossessed Khan” of Turkistan, nor was he the dispossessed chief of Bilasa-ghun, nor does Rashid-ud-Din, in his Jami’-ut-Tawarikh, anywhere state that the ruler of Kara Khitae adopted the title of Gur Khan—not “Ghur” Khan—“after great battle in 525 H.” because he says, [in the MSS. before me] that this battle took place in 536 H. [which began 5th August, A.D. 1141], while others make it one year, and some, two years earlier—534 H., A.D. 1139-40, and 535, A.D. 1140-41. Amir Timur, I also beg leave to say, never adopted the title of “Emir Timur Gur Khan” for the very significant reason that the title of the Kara-Khita-i chief consists of two words while the word applied to Amir Timur, which appears to have misled Mr. Howorth, is one and is written Gurgan, and in signification there is no connexion between them whatever. To return to my story. After having gained this great success, the Gur Khan overran great part of Turkistan and Mawara-un-Nahr, acquired predominance over those countries, and made their rulers tributaries. He in- [cham], and Muhammad-i-Khar-nak — on whom be peace!