Twilight of the Sultanate c7.s3.15

c7.s3.15

¹³⁰ The strength of Malik Shaikha's force cannot be ascertained. The figures given by writers vary beyond compromise. Z.N., II, 142 has more than a hundred horse (زياده از صد سوار). Dowson who saw a number of MSS. of the Z.N. writes, (E and D, III, 510 n), "Here one MS., and that the most sober one, magnifies the assailants into 'several thousand desperate men, sword in hand'". The *Mulfuzāt*, E and D, III, 455, has 500 horse and a large force on foot. Mīr Khwānd crosses all limits when he declares the force to be one hundred thousand horse and foot (صد هزار سوار و پياده); R.S., VI, 113. His statement is just figurative.