The Nāṣirī Generations 280.4

280.4

When Shaikh Mahmud-i-Atash-Kh’ar arrived at that place, the guards beheld a person, a stranger to the usages of the world, and, in outward appearance, like a maniac; and they seized him [saying]: “Thou art a fida-i.” Shaikh Mahmud replied: “Aye! I am a fida-i;” and, notwithstanding they importuned him, saying: “Who art thou? Say!” his reply was: “I am what ye have said: a fida-i.” As he had confessed this thing, they brought him before Chaghatae. Mas’ud Bak, who was the Jumlat-ul-Mulk [Minister of State] of Chaghatae, recognized Shaikh Mahmud, but, through fear of Chaghatae, was unable to say anything, or mention Shaikh Mahmud’s condition, or his eminence. Chaghatae demanded of Shaikh Mahmud: “Who art thou?” He replied: “That same fida-i I am.” Chaghatae said: “What shall I do with thee? What doth it behove to do unto thee?” Shaikh Mahmud answered: “Command that they rain arrows upon me, that I may be freed [from life].” Chaghatae commanded so that they killed him with volleys of arrows. Some days after Shaikh Mahmud was received into the Almighty's mercy, Chaghatae was in the act of discharging a recoiling arrow, in a hunting-ground, at the prey, when, verily, it entered the back of that accursed one, and he went to hell; and God's people, particularly the people of Islam, were delivered from his malevolence.