The Afghan History of Khān Jahān 1.1.2

1.1.2

It is related, that during the time he was with his uncle Isldm Khdn, he went once to Sdmana for the purpose of transacting some urgent and important business, taking with him two of his intimate friends, and hearing that there was a holy man named Saiyid ibn Majzub in that place, who made predictions (sahib i lafz hud) Malik Bahlol went to see that darwesh, accompanied by his two friends, and, after having treated him with every courtesy, sat down. That person, who was abstracted from worldly thoughts, asked, "if any one of them was able to buy the kingdom of Dehli from him for 2000 tankas." Malik Bahlol had 1300 tankas in his purse, which he took out and placed before the saint, and said, "This is all I possess." That worthy person consented to accept the sum so proffered, and said, "May the empire of Dehli be fortunate to you!" When his two associates began to ridicule his superstition, the Malik said, "One of two things must happen: if the event be successful, I shall have made a good bargain; if not, in the day of judgment there are rewards for good deeds done to darweshes." It is said in certain histories that Malik Bahlol traded; but the truth or falsehood of this has never been clearly ascertained. It is known that his grandfather and father were merchants, and were in the habit of visiting Hind.