The Nāṣirī Generations 278.2

278.2

and those people of the weaver class, who had been removed from Hirat when that city surrendered to Tuli Khan in 618 H., and had been located in Turkistan and Mughalistan by him, were made the instruments in commencing this good work. The chief men and heads of families among these weavers were the Mukaddam [he is also styled Amir and Peshwa, but not signifying a chief, a noble, or a leader here, but Provost] of the Guild of Weavers of Hirat, 'Izz-ud-Din, Hirawi [from Hiri or Hirat]; Jalal-ud-Din, Malik; Sa'id, Badghisi; and five others. It had been mentioned to the Ka'an that one of the cities in question was Hirat, and he had been told much respecting its former populousness, wealth, and prosperity; so he was the more desirous of re-peopling it. 'Izz-ud-Din, the Provost, with his family and kinsmen, had been located at Bish-Baligh; and he had obtained access to the Ka'an's presence, and used, every year, to manufacture a thousand suits [pieces, probably] of clothes of excellent quality for his use. He was now summoned to the presence of Uktae, who said: “I am going to send thee for the purpose of re-peopling and restoring Hirat. Art thou able to do so, quickly, thinkest thou, so that people may be able to say that Hirat is something like itself again?” 'Izz-ud-Din replied that, under favour of such a great monarch, he could do so;