The Preface of the Editor to the Mulfuzāt Timūry
He commences with the usual form of praise of God, and blessings on Muhammed, on the four Khalifs, Abū Beker, Omer, Osman and Aly; he then repeats the account given by Abū Talib Hussyny of discovering the book in the library of Jāfer Pashā, and of its contents.
He then states that the Emperor Shāh Jehān of Hindūstān, having perused the book was not satisfied with it, and ordered him, Muhammed Afzel Bukhāry, to revise it.
“In the year 1047 of the Hejira, and tenth of his Majesty Shāh Jehān’s reign, (A. D. 1637) the royal orders were issued to me, the meanest of the servants of the Imperial Court, (Muhammed Afzel Bukhāry) to read and revise this book from beginning to end, and to assimilate it with the Zuffer Nameh,120 of the correctness of which no intelligent person can have a doubt, and compare it with some other trust-worthy histories, to omit some things which the translator had inserted, and to insert some occurrences which he had omitted; also to translate the Tūrky and Arabic sentences into Persian, and to correct several of the dates, which do not agree with the Zuffer Nameh.”
“In submission to the royal order, the least of the servants of his Majesty, having bound round him the girdle of obedience, has exerted himself as much as possible in revising and correcting the said translation, and has thrown out all the unauthenticated passages which Abū Talib had inserted. He has inserted several passages that have been omitted by that translator, and he has thereby made the book conform with the Zuffer Nameh. Thus under the happy auspices of his Imperial Majesty, equal in dignity to Solomon, the Defender of the Faith, and the Protector of Princes, this work has been brought to a conclusion, and now only waits the stamp of approval of his Majesty (the King of the world).”
It appears in Dow’s History of Hindostan, that Muhammed Afzel was the name of the Emperor, Shāh Jehān’s preceptor; he was probably the person employed to revise this work, but he has not complied with his promise of translating all the Tūrky passages, although a native of Bokhārā, where that language was well understood.
The conclusion of the work states the arrival of the Emperor Timūr at Atrar,121 on his route to China; of his last illness; of his having assembled all his family, his ministers, and other principal personages, and of his having in their presence made his will, consisting of four clauses.
The two first clauses are to recommend union among his descendants, and loyalty to his nobles; the third clause appoints his grandson Pyr Muhammed Jehāngyr to be his successor and possessor of the kingdom of Samerkund, and that all his descendants should consider Jehāngyr as their superior.122 The fourth clause entreats his posterity to observe the rules and regulations that he had written during his reign, and to insert them as an Appendix to his Memoirs; he further desires that they will continue his Memoirs to the last moment of his existence as if written or spoken by himself;
“I desire that this my Testament, and whatever I shall say to the last moment of my existence, shall be written in my Memoirs as if proceeding from my own mouth.” (Appendix 11.)
He repeats his exhortation to his descendants to observe union, “to support the religion of Muhammed, to give currency to the tenets of the Sūnies, and to exert themselves in eradicating every false religion.” (Appendix 12.) He then forbids any one to speak to, or again disturb, him, but leave him to the mercy of God.
Shortly after this exhortation he resigned his soul to his Creator, on Tuesday the 17th of Shabān, A. H. 807, March 19th, A. D. 1405.
FINIS
The following works of Major Stewart may be had at Messrs. Parbury, Allen, and Co. Booksellers to the Honourable East India Company, Leadenhall Street.
Descriptive Catalogue of Tippoo Sultān’s Library, 1 vol. 4to.
History of Bengal, 1 vol. 4to.
Introduction to the Anvari Soohyly, 1 vol. 4to.
Original Persian Letters, 1 vol. 4to.
Pg. 3: Reference error: ‘Appendix No. 2’ to ‘Appendix No. 3’ - The appendix refers to this page, and seems to contain two non-persian lines
Pg. 11: Quote corrections: ‘from this dream.”’ to ‘from this dream.’ - Removed close-quote from middle of extended quotation
Pg. 15: Proper name consistency: ‘Behardur’ to ‘Behadur’
Pg. 21: Corrected typo: ‘See Appendix VI. also’ to ‘See Appendix VI. Also’ - Corrected capitalization
Pg. 21: Quote correction: ‘shake_,” (Tamurū)’ to ‘shake_,’ (Tamurū)’ Changed double-quote to single
Pg. 22: Corrected typo: ‘dont’ to ‘don’t’
Pg. 23: Quote corrections: ‘this dignity.”’ to ‘this dignity.’’ - Changed double-quote to single
Pg. 23: Quote corrections: ‘1stly, etc.’ to ‘“1stly, etc.’ - Added open-quotes to 4 paras
Pg. 23: Corrected typo: ‘terrestial globe’ to ‘terrestrial globe’
Pg. 23: Abbreviation consistency: ‘2dly. That you will’ to ‘2ndly. That you will’ - 2ndly elsewhere
Pg. 32: Corrected typo: ‘to to the dignity of’ to ‘to the dignity of’ - Doubled word removed
Pg. 33: Corrected typo: ‘eat a quantity’ to ‘ate a quantity’ - Corrected tense
Pg. 33: Proper name consistency: ‘Irāk’ to ‘Irāc’ - Corrected for consistency
Pg. 41: Corrected typo: ‘dependance’ to ‘dependence’ - Corrected for consistency
Pg. 53: Corrected typo: ‘he he was under great obligations’ to ‘he was under great obligations’ - Doubled word removed
Pg. 56: Quote corrections: ‘the state of the case’ to ‘“the state of the case’ - Added missing open-quote to quotation
Pg. 56: Corrected typo: ‘and the pins philanthrophy’ to ‘and the pins philanthropy’
Pg. 63: Corrected typo: ‘sent a a party’ to ‘sent a party’ - Doubled word removed
Pg. 66: Punctuation fix: ‘other means of redress”’ to ‘other means of redress.”’ - Added missing period to quote end
Pg. 83: Corrected typo: ‘se uel’ to ‘sequel’ - Missing letter in word
Pg. 86: Quote corrections: ‘I will support you;’ to ‘I will support you;”’ - Added missing close-quote
Pg. 88: Corrected typo: ‘retrogade’ to ‘retrograde’
Pg. 90: Corrected typo: ‘fortified the town opposed’ to ‘fortified the town, opposed’ - Added missing comma
Pg. 94: Punctuation fix: ‘I entered, the thirty-second’ to ‘I entered the thirty-second’ - Removed extra comma
Pg. 108: Corrected typo: ‘to to his protection’ to ‘to his protection’ - Doubled word removed
Pg. 108: Corrected typo: ‘I I took two of his’ to ‘I took two of his’ - Doubled word removed
Pg. 120: Hyphenation consistency: ‘recrossed’ to ‘re-crossed’ - Hyphenated elsewhere
Pg. 123: Quote corrections: ‘taken away from him.’ to ‘taken away from him.”’ - Added missing close-quote
Pg. 127: Corrected typo: ‘to take the the command’ to ‘to take the command’ - Doubled word removed
Pg. 131: Quote corrections: ‘cattle and property:’ to ‘cattle and property:”’ - Added missing close-quote
Pg. 133: Changed ‘Book V.’ to read ‘Book VI.’ as noted in the Corrigendum
Pg. 135: Quote corrections: ‘and inaugurated me.”’ to ‘and inaugurated me.’ - Removed extra close-quote at para end
Pg. 138: Corrected typo: ‘for my goverment’ to ‘for my government’
Pg. 139: Corrected typo: ‘manœuvring armies’ to ‘manœuvering armies’ - manœuvering elsewhere
Pg. 143: Proper name consistency: ‘Abūal Mualy’ to ‘Abū al Mualy’ - Separated elsewhere
Pg. 146: Punctuation fix: ‘them, he Ky Khuserū’ to ‘them, he, Ky Khuserū’ - Added missing comma
Pg. 148: Corrected typo: ‘bethrothed’ to ‘betrothed’
Notes
1. See Note at the end of the Preface.
2. Monsieur Langlès says in the sixth page of his Preface; “ces superstitions sont, pour le philosophe, des renseignemens certains sur les mœurs et sur l’esprit des hommes. J’engage donc M. M. Davy et White à faire cette restitution, si ce n’est pas à l’érudition, du moins à la Philosophie.”
3. The Tūrky language differs as much from the modern Turkish, as the Saxon does from the English.
4. See Memoirs of Baber, published by William Erskine, Esq. in 1826, the Preface, Introduction, and Notes to which, contain a vast deal of information, and the whole of the work is highly creditable to the learned author.
5. Times are since altered, and I have now lying before me two authentic transcripts of the Emperor’s copy, an account of which will be hereafter given; Charles Stewart.
6. See also Dr. White’s Preface to the Institutes, page 6.
7. An ample detail of all these nations will be found in Gibbon’s History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
8. See printed copy of the Institutes of Timūr, pages 131 and 285: Gibbon following the French orthography, calls him Chagan.
9. Since writing the above, I have been informed by one of our best Chinese scholars, that the Mandarins of that country are called Kwans, but that the title of Jengyz was Ching-sze Kho-han.
10. Sahib Kerān, signifies Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction; Sany, the second. Shāh Jehān mounted the throne of Hindūstan, A. H. 1037, A. D. 1628.
11. The following two lines are in the ancient Jagtay Tūrky, the words of which are not to be found in Meninski’s Dictionary. The lines will be found in Appendix No. 3.
12. Descendants of Muhammed.
13. See Appendix IV.
14. The Shaikh must have received some imperfect information of the Patron Saints of Europe, unless the invention is Asiatic, but I fear this passage will be thought very obscure.
15. Cæsar, being the title assumed by Bajazet and other Ottoman Emperors.
16. See Appendix IV.
17. The Translator has sometimes made use of the name Uzbek, by anticipation.
18. See first Design, page 15, Davy’s Institutes and Sequel.
19. An extensive region situated to the north of the Caspian Sea, bounded on the west by the Volga.
20. See first Design, Institutes.
21. See second Design, Institutes, page 25.
23. See Zyn Addeen (ornament of religion), page 7.
24. Here he relates another instance of his good fortune, in escaping from Aly Beg, which appears in the History. See page 37 of the Institutes, therefore omitted here.
25. Two other Anecdotes have been passed over, as they will again occur in the History.
26. See Appendix V.
27. The late Tippoo Sultān probably took the idea of his dreams from this work. See the Sultān’s Letters published by Colonel Kirkpatrick in 1811.
28. He here relates two other dreams respecting his brother-in-law, Amyr Hussyn, and Tukel Behadur, the circumstances of which belong to the History, and will be related.
29. Jujy, called also Tucky, the eldest son of Jengyz Khān, died six months before his father, but his sons obtained the kingdom of Kipchāk, as their portion of his dominions.
30. Spiritual Counsellor.
31. See Appendix VI. Also Sale’s Translation of the Korān, page 437.
32. It is said that the Afghans never change their clothes till worn out.
33. See Introduction.
34. See Appendix VII.
35. Many of these Santons were considered as deranged, but their predictions were not the less credited.
36. See Appendix VI.
37. See Institutes, page 25.
38. This name is spelled in Persian both Jagtay and Chagtay, a large portion of Tūrkestān is called after him.
39. The date here mentioned is supposed to be a mistake either of the Persian translator, or of the copyist, as all other authorities fix the birth of Timūr on the 25th of Shabān, A. H. 736, corresponding with the 7th of May, A. D. 1336.
41. He was the last of the descendants of Jengyz Khān, who actually reigned over Transoxiana, although several young men had the empty title of Khān conferred on them, but they were mere puppets in the hands of the powerful chiefs.
42. This was a boast of Timūr, as he was then very young; Aghlān signifies both a boy and a Prince.
43. Herat, the Aria of the Greeks, long the capital of Khorasān, situated on the Jihun, Lat. 34, N. 50. See Edinburgh Gazetteer.
44. The Tartars play with sheep-shanks instead of dice.
45. This accounts for the long rivalship between him and Amyr Hussyn, which only terminated with the death of the latter.
46. Sāly Seray was the capital or residence of the Amyr, it is situated on the Jihūn.
47. These countries are situated between the 36th and 38th degrees of northern latitude, and between the 68th and 70th eastern longitude.
49. See page 15, printed copy of the Institutes.
50. These Jetes are not to be confounded with the ancient Getē, they were unconverted Tūrks, and at this time inhabited the country of Jetteh or Deshti Jitteh; Timūr afterwards calls them his countrymen, in fact they were the followers of the descendants of Jengyz Khān. See also printed copy of the Institutes, page 25.
51. First, that his army might be defeated by the mutineers, and second, that they might join them.
52. Lat. 39,20 North.
53. The Muhammedans reckon the commencement of the day from Sun-set.
54. Termuz was at this time a celebrated University.
55. Hajy Berlās was his uncle.
56. A gold coin.
57. It has been before stated, that kund signifies a town, Samer was one of the ancient heroes of Persia. It is the Maracanda of the Greeks, and is situated in Lat. 39,37 N. Longitude 64,9 E. See Edinburgh Gazetteer.
58. See printed copy in the Institutes, page 25.
59. Khuarizm is an extensive kingdom, situated on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea, and divided from Maveralnaher by the river Jihūn, which falls into the Aral lake.
60. See printed Institutes, page 35.
61. See printed Institutes, page 37.
62. The Antiochia of the Greeks, it is situated on the Mūrghāb river, and is subject to the Khān of Bukhārā. See Edinburgh Gazetteer.
63. See printed Institutes, page 47.
64. See printed Institutes, page 49.
65. Institutes, page 51.
66. Institutes, pages 53 and 55.
67. Institutes, page 57.
68. See Institutes, page 63.
69. See Institutes, page 67.
70. Institutes, page 79.
71. See Institutes, page 83.
72. See Sale’s Translation of the Korān, page 68.
73. See Plan of the Army, last page of the Institutes.
74. This description of the battle differs much from that given by Petis de la Croix, p. 71, and sequel.
75. Timūr wished to have liberated them, but they were put to death by order of Amyr Hussyn. Shenfaddeen’s History.
76. It was situated on the northern bank of the Jihūn, near Termuz.
77. See Petis de la Croix’s History, page 84. It is remarkable that Timūr does not mention this battle, called the Slough, in his Designs.
78. In Baber’s Memoirs, mention is also made of the powers of the magicians of Tūrkestān, and the wonderful effects of the Stone Jeddy.
79. The original name of this place was Nakhsheb, but was changed to Kārshy, in consequence of a palace having been built there by a Moghūl Prince, it is separated from the Jihūn by a desert. Lat. 38.45.
80. See Institutes, page 101.
81. This account is different from Petis de la Croix’s History.
82. Latitude 37,30, Longitude 85, East.
83. See Institutes, page 95.
84. In the Institutes, only forty men are mentioned.
85. See Institutes, page 97.
86. Two heroes of the Shāh Nameh.
87. The latter subsequently became his wife.
88. In the vicinity of the city of Amū, the Sihūn is called the Amū.
89. The followers of the Arabian Prophet never call themselves Muhammedans, but Muselmāns, (resigned) or Mumināns, (believers) they consider it disrespectful, and making too free with his name; for a similar reason, they do not call us Christians, but (Nessara) Nazareens.
90. Khujend and Tashkund are both cities on the banks of the Sihūn.
91. It is situated on the N. E. bank of the Sihūn, Lat. 42,40, N. Lon. 64,48, E.
92. The ten thousand Jetes that were coming to his assistance, were Idolaters, and would have done much injury to the Muselmāns.
93. This passage differs from Sherif Addeen’s History, who says, the ceremony was performed by deputies. Petis de la Croix’s History, page 159.
94. This name (Slayer of the Hindūs) was given to these mountains, in consequence of a Hindū army having suffered severely from the cold in these regions; Hindū signifies black.
95. The Bactria of the Greeks, Lat. 36,28, N. Lon. 65,16, E. See Bulkh; Edinburgh Gazetteer.
96. The letter is given in the text, but it is merely a repetition of what has been stated.
97. This differs from Sherif Addeen’s History.
98. I doubt whether this is a proper name, or signifies an officer of the court of justice.
99. In Sherif Addeen’s History, it is stated, that he took four of the ladies himself and divided the others among his Chiefs.
100. The Kūr is a railing which surrounds the throne.
101. The four first Khalifs.
102. Resembles the prayer read in cathedrals before the sermon.
103. This was the celebrated saint mentioned in the Appendix, No. 7. See also Sufy, Richardson’s Persian Dictionary.
104. See Davy’s Institutes, page 231 and Sequel. Also page 305.
105. Here, as in some former instances, the royal author leaves us in doubt of the result.
106. It appears by Sherif Addeen’s History, that he killed him.
107. It is situated 36 degrees, 45 minutes, N. L.
108. This account differs from the History; See Petis de la Croix, page 219.
109. Timūr was married to his sister, Seray Mulk Khanūm, widow of Amyr Hussyn, and daughter of Kezān Khān.
110. It is an extensive kingdom on the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea.
111. Six miles.
112. Here Timūr purposely omits the result, which was the death of the prisoner.
113. This differs considerably from Petis de la Croix’s History.
114. Timūr’s second son.
115. Conqueror of the world.
116. Atrar is the place where Timūr died, it is situated on the Sihūn, in the 44th degree of Latitude; Aksumā is said to have been a castle built on a mountain, overlooking the plains of Kipjak. Petis de la Croix, page 73.
117. He was descended from Jengyz Khān by Tūshy, the eldest son, and succeeded to the throne of Kipchāk, on the death of Aurūs Khān, A. H. 778, A. D. 1376. See Abul Ghazy’s History of the Tartars.
118. Although a suppliant, he still considered himself as superior to Timūr, who never took any other title than (Amyr) commander; the same hauteur is still kept up by the (Delhy) royal family towards the Nuwabs of Hindūstān.
119. This Conclusion is certainly a mistake of the copyist, as I have found in two other MSS. belonging to Colonel Davy, a further continuation of the history, but they both end in the following curious manner.
“Be it known that from this (Majlis) place, (page 284 of Petis de la Croix) to the time of the Emperor’s making his last testament, in the plains of (Khetā) Tartary, together with his Institutes, nearly forty thousand (Byts) lines are deficient or obliterated.”
“If it please God to grant me health and strength, it shall be compleated.” (Appendix No. 10.)
120. The Persian history by Sherif Addyn Aly Yezdy, and the work translated by Petis de la Croix.
121. Atrar was a large town situated two Parasangs or leagues north of the Sihūn, (Jaxartes).
122. This distribution was conformable to the English law, Jehāngyr being the heir of his deceased eldest son, but the throne was taken possession of by Khelyl Sultān, another of Timūr’s grandsons, the son of Mirān Shāh; he died at the end of three years, when Maveralnaher was taken possession of by Shāh Rūkh, the youngest son of Timūr, but the other Princes having also seized upon the different provinces under their command, the mighty empire fell to pieces.
It may be interesting to some persons to know that the dominions of Timūr were visited in the year 1812, by Izzet Allah, an intelligent native of India, whose journal has been published in the Asiatic Researches, from which we learn that the Chinese have extended their conquests as far as the Sihūn or Jaxartes, that the towns of Transoxiana are in possession of different Uzbek chiefs, and the country is occupied by the Nomade Kirghys hordes.