The Nāṣirī Generations 293.1.4

293.1.4

When Hulaku proposed to move against Baghdad, he detached the Nu-yin, Arktu, with a considerable force, against the exceedingly strong fortified town of Arbil [Arbela of European writers, some fifty miles W. of which the Macedonian Alexander defeated Dara the Persian], held by Taj-ud-Din, son of Salayah, styled the Lord of Arbil. He, on being summoned, came down, and submitted, but, although he attempted to induce the Kurds, who inhabited and garrisoned it, to submit, they would not hear of it, and reviled him for proposing it. All Arktu's endeavours to take it were fruitless. He sought aid from Badr-ud-Din-i-Lulu, but, before his help came, the Kurds sallied out, burnt the Mughal catapults, and slew a great number of the enemy. Badr-ud-Din-i-Lulu, having arrived to his aid, advised him to retire, and give up the attempt to take it then; but to wait until the heat compelled the Kurds to retire to the higher hills before any further effort was made, as it would be impossible to take it by force, though it might be obtained by stratagem. Arktu accordingly gave up the attempt, and retired to Tabriz, leaving Badr-ud-Din-i-Lulu to gain possession of it, when the Kurds should have retired to the higher ranges from the excessive heat, after which he was to destroy the defences. This was subsequently done; and the Kurds retired into Sham. The unfortunate Taj-ud-Din was made the victim of the refusal of the Kurds to surrender the place;