The Nāṣirī Generations 259.5

259.5

and, at this period, the writer of this Tabakat, Minhaj-i-Saraj, was in the fortress of Tulak, and the writer’s brother was in the city and fortress of Firuz-koh. In this year likewise, a Mughal army came before the fort of Astiah of Ghur, and for the space of eleven days vigorously attacked it. Within this fortress was an Amir and feudatory, the Sipah-Salar [Leader of Troops], Taj-ud-Din, Habashi-i-’Abd-ul-Malik, Sar-i-Zarrad. He was a great Malik with ample resources, but, as the decree of destiny had come, he entered into an accommodation with the Mughals, and went unto them. They took him to the presence of the Chingiz Khan, and he bestowed upon him the title of Khusrau [Prince] of Ghur, showed him great honour, and sent him back again in order that he might, by means of accommodation, cause the other strongholds to be given up. On his coming back again, after the Chingiz Khan defeated Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, Mang-barni, Khwarazm Shah, on the banks of the river Sind, Taj-ud-Din, Habashi-i-’Abd-ul-Malik, Sar-i-Zarrad, deserted the Mughals, and engaged in battle with them, and attained the reward of martyrdom.