Livro VI - _Account Of My Mounting The Throne Of The Sovereignty In The City Of, Capítulo VI

[Sidenote: A. D. 1373.]

In the year 775, being then thirty-nine years of age, I was informed that Kummer Addyn, the slave and commander-in-chief of the army of the Khān of the Jetes, had raised his scymitar and said, “by the force of my sword, I will take the kingdom of Maveralnaher from Amyr Timūr.” On hearing of this, my honour was so roused that I could not sleep, and although the weather at this period was very cold, I nevertheless mounted my steed, and marching with great expedition, I arrived at the caravansery of Kutfān. At this place the cold was excessive, but my troops collected great quantities of wood, lighted fires, and dressed their provisions; unfortunately soon after, the snow began to fall with great violence, and the quadrupeds being much distressed, many of them died. On this my chiefs waited on me, and having bent the knee, represented that numbers of our followers and cattle were perishing from the severity of the winter; it would therefore be better to return to Samerkund.

As I had previously determined to erect huts for the army, and to remain out during the winter, I said to the chiefs, “we ought not to have commenced a campaign at this season of the year, but having done so, it would be very prejudicial to my interest to return, and very beneficial for me, to remain where we are; God be praised, that every requisite is here procurable, and when a King has resolved on any measure, he should not deviate from his purpose; I have determined not to return till I have made Kummer Addyn repent his boasting, or taken him prisoner.” I therefore passed forty days at the (Rebat) caravansery, and when the cold had decreased, I gave the command of the advanced division to the Prince Jehangyr, but sent with him the Amyrs Muhammed Byan Seldūz, and Aādil Shāh Jelayr, at the head of the tribe of Jelayr, and many other troops.

When the Prince and the illustrious chiefs reached Jarun, they learned that Kummer Addyn, with his army, were encamped at Kuruk Tupē, and were waiting there for reinforcements. On hearing this news, the Prince placing his trust in God, made a forced march, and beat up the Jete camp during the night; Kummer Addyn was much terrified, took to flight, and sought refuge in a pass called the Birkē Ghuryān.

When the day broke, my troops seized a number of the enemy’s followers, and took much plunder, after which they proceeded towards the pass; that day the Jetes defended the pass, but when night came on, they again fled; a number of their soldiers and other infidels became the food of the swords and arrows of the Muselmāns.

As soon as the letters of the Prince Jehangyr reached me, I placed my foot in the stirrup, and marching with great rapidity, joined the advanced division, just after they had seized and plundered Kummer Addyn’s followers.

I immediately ordered Amyr Daoūd, Hussyn Behader, and some other officers to pursue the fugitives, and not give them time to rest, or even draw their breath, and I encamped that night at Payāk; at this place I was grieved to learn that Amyr Hussyn Behader had been drowned in crossing a river, this I considered as an unlucky omen, but ordered the Prince Jehangyr to pursue, and use every endeavour to take the Jete commander prisoner; the Prince in obedience to my commands, pursued him over hill and dale, took all his camels and baggage, and compelled him to wander with only seven persons among the mountains, even his women were all seized, together with all their jewels and ornaments.

The Prince being anxious to secure the fugitive, did not relax in the pursuit, but as the country was full of trees and caves, he dismounted and travelled on foot; at length he reached a spring of water, near to which Kummer Addyn had laid down with his head on a stone, and was only roused by some of my people approaching him; as they were about to seize him, a young man, who was one of his followers, but very much resembled him, called out, “I am Kummer Addyn,” in consequence of which, they quitted the master and seized the servant; the other attendants being seized, also falsely swore that the latter was the personage we were in pursuit of; in the mean time Kummer Addyn escaped and hid himself in a cave.

When my victorious son returned triumphant with his prisoners to my camp, and they were brought into my presence, several of my people who knew Kummer Addyn, declared that the prisoner was not him, although very like him; the youth also acknowledged that being grateful to his master for his salt, he had devoted his life for his (Kummer Addyn’s) preservation. I praised the young man exceedingly, and said, “as you have proved yourself a grateful servant, I forgive you for this meritorious action.”

My people then wished me to return home, but I said, “although we have quenched the fire, we have left the sparks;” I therefore placed my foot in the stirrup, and proceeded to the mountain of Shemāk, from thence we marched to Azbehbary. As the plains of Azbehbary were very beautiful, and the season of spring was just now commencing, I passed two pleasant months in that delightful place, during which time Mubarik Shāh, the governor of that district, had the honour of being introduced, and performed all the duties of a host towards me; in return for his hospitality, I bestowed on him the command of the tribe of Salar Aghlān, and returned to Samerkund.

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Footnote 113:

This differs considerably from Petis de la Croix’s History.