The Nāṣirī Generations 59.3

59.3

At the time the command was issued that the son of Saljuk, along with his followers and dependents, should embark on boats, and pass over the Jihun with their property and effects, the Hajib, Arsalan Khan, who was the Amir [Governor] of Khurasan, and the greatest of the retainers of Sultan Mahmud, made a representation to that monarch, saying: “This which your Majesty has commanded is far from the cautious counsel of your servant, for, with your own hand, you have placed power in the hands of the enemies of your country, over the dominion of your descendants ; and, in the end, by this tribe, disorder and tumult will be brought upon the empire.” The Sultan, in reply, said: “What is your opinion in this matter?” The Hajib, Arsalan, answered: “My advice is this, that the whole of them be commanded to re-embark on board the boats, and then to sink them in the river; or otherwise to have their thumbs cut off, so as to render them incapable of discharging arrows in future.” Sultan Mahmud answered: “Arsalan, thou art a hard-hearted man, indeed ! To break one’s promise, and slay the helpless, are not acts becoming a sovereign who possesses any feelings of honour, or a man who has any magnanimity in his nature ;