The Nāṣirī Generations 285: AN ASTONISHING ANECDOTE.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 285
- Language
- English
AN ASTONISHING ANECDOTE.
285.1
An astonishing anecdote, which was heard from the Khwajah [opulent merchant], whose word is reliable, whom they used to style Rashid-ud-Din, the Hakim, a native of Balkh, is here related, in order that it may be acceptable to the Sultan of the Sultans of Islam. This Khwajah, Rashid-ud-Din, the Hakim, had come into Hindustan from Khurasan, in the year 648 H., for purposes of trade, and he accompanied the author of this Tabakat, Minhaj-i-Saraj, on a journey [from Dihli] to Multan. He related as follows: One of the Mughal lords, in the territory of Kara-Kuram, who possessed numerous followers and servants and great wealth, [died and] went to hell. They accordingly caused a place to be prepared, with the utmost ceremony, for the interment of that accursed one, and placed with him arms and other effects, and furniture and utensils in great quantity. A couch also, adorned and decorated, they had prepared; and desired to bury, along with him, the most loved of his people. They consulted together as to whom among his servants they should inter who would be the one to whom he was most attached. “There was a youth of the confines of Tirmid of Khurasan, who, in his childhood, had fallen captive into the hands of this Mughal gabr, in the beginning of the misfortunes of Khurasan;
285.2
and, when he reached puberty, and grew into youth and virility, and attained unto man’s estate, he turned out exceedingly active, intelligent, expert, and frugal, in such wise, that everything belonging to that accursed one, in whole and in part, came under the youth’s disposal; and, as this Mughal had called him son, on this account, the whole of the property and effects, and cattle, and whatever else belonged to him, the youth had taken under his control. All the servants and followers of that Mughal were under his orders, so that not one of them, without the permission of that youth, used to have the power of making use of anything belonging to that accursed one. At this time, all of them [the Mughals], with one accord, girded up their loins to despatch this youth, saying : ' The deceased [Mughal] used not to regard any one more than this youth : it is necessary to inter him along with him.' Their object was to destroy this youth, and take vengeance on him for the sway he had exercised ; and, in this proceeding, all agreed. The Musalman youth, in this state of affliction, was astounded, and resigned his heart to death, seeing that he had no asylum and no succour, save in the Lord, the Helper of the Helpless. He stretched out the hand of supplication to the promise of Him, “ who hears the distressed when they pray unto Him,” and performed the ablution of purification, donned clean clothes, and placed his foot within that subterranean [chamber].
285.3
“When they had covered it up, in a corner of this chamber, that poor creature turned his face towards the kiblah, repeated a prayer of two genuflexions, and then occupied himself in repeating the Musalman creed. Suddenly, a side of the chamber opened, and two persons, so majestic and awe-striking that the bile of a hundred thousand lions, at their aspect, would turn to water, entered. Each of them bore a fiery javelin, out of which issued flames of fire, and the flames encircled the couch of the [dead] Mughal all round ; and a small spark from the fiery sparks [issuing from the flames], about the size of a needle’s point, fell upon the cheek of that youth, burnt it, and made it smart. One of these two persons said ; ' There appears to be a Musalman here and the other turned his face on the youth and asked : ‘ Who art thou ? ’ The youth states that he answered; 'I am a poor and miserable captive, captured by the hands of that Mughal.' They demanded : 'From whence art thou ? ' and I replied : ‘ From Tirmid.' They then struck one side of the chamber with the heads of their javelins, and it rent asunder to the extent of about [the size of] a doorway, and they said: ‘Go out!’ and I placed my foot without, and I found myself in the Tirmid country.”
285.4
“From that place, namely, Kara-Kuram of the Mughals to Tirmid, is a distance of six months’ journey and more; and, up to this time, that youth is dwelling upon his own property and possessions, on the confines of Tirmid; and whatever salve he continues to apply to the hurt occasioned by that spark of fire, it is ineffectual to heal it, and it continues open to the size of a needle’s point, and to discharge as before.” Glory to Him who contrives what He pleases! May Almighty God long preserve the Sultan of the Sultans of the age, Nasir-ud-Dunya WA UD-DIN, upon the throne of sovereignty!