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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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   P.   This introduction of the Kirghiz into the internal politics of Kâshghar soon

produced a confused state of anarchy amongst the several Chiefs ruling the country, and their ambitious rivals amongst the priesthood—between the Khan's, successors of Rashid on the one hand, and the Khoja's, descendants of Makhdûmi Azam on the other.

I have not met with any connected account of the events of this period. It appears, however, that in the time of Khoja Muhammad Yûsuf, the son and successor of Khoja Muhammad Amin at Artosh, the whole country was split up into independent Chiefships amongst the sons of Rashid. Thus Abdulla held Khutan, Muhammad Khan ruled at Yarkand, Ismail at Kashghar, Khudabanda at Aksû, A:bdurrashid at Kt/chi, and at Turfan, and they were all inextricably embroiled in mutual jealousies and hostilities, till Khoja Hidayatulla, the son of Khoja Yûsuf, succeeded, by the aid of the Zûnghari, in acquiring the supreme control of the government.

   Y.C.   It was during this period of divided authority that Benedict Goes, in Novem-

ber 1603 A.D., arrived at Yarkand, where he found Muhammad Khan was the ruler. Goes owed his favourable reception here, and safe passage through the country to a purely fortuitous circumstance. On his way up from Lahore be was delayed several months at Kabul, and finally set out thence in the caravan of Haji Khanim, the sister of the Kashghar ruler, to whom he was able to render a service by the loan of six hundred pieces of gold, which the lady, returning from the pilgrimage to Mecca with an empty purse and no credit, was unable to raise amongst the Kabul merchants to meet her pressing requirements and needs. On arrival at Yarkand, after a perilous and adventuresome journey through the robber-haunted passes of Badakhshan and Wakhan, the lady repaid her debt in precious jade from Khutan of which city her son was the Governor, and, in requital of his goodness, befriended the stranger and procured for him a friendly reception, and the protection of both her brother and son. Goes stayed here some months under the much needed hospitality and protection of Muhammad Khan, who ultimately forwarded the Christian Missionary on his journey by Jalish and Turfan to the Chinese frontier where he died. In connection with the religious ferment in the country at the time of this Christian Missionary's visit, it is interesting to note that Muhammad Khan bravely took the friar's part in his adherence to the truth and merits of his own saving faith, and listened to his theological arguments in a spirit of toleration, and with a liberality of mind not to have been expected amongst such a fanatic crew. Indeed, he seems to have acted exceptionally, and more than once had to interpose his protection to shield his guest from the blood thirsty fanaticsm and bigotted intolerance of his subjects.

   T.H.   In the struggle for ascendancy between the Aktaghhic and Karatagh1i c factions,

the leader of the former, Mull Fazil of Artosh, in 1031 H.=1618 A.D., called to his aid the Khoja Kalan of Khujand, the son of Khoja Muhammad Saduddin of Coba in the ancient country of Kaikobad and Afrasyâb. He came with a force of a thousand men, and was established at Kâshghar ; but the sons of Kbuda.banda from Aksti at once besieged the city with the aid of the Yarkand troops and their Kirghiz and Kapchak levies. They harassed the suburbs for six months till, at length the Khoja, raising a force amongst the citizens, made a sortie and drove off the besiegers with severe loss.

   M.V.   The Aktaghlûc party now took the lead, and ultimately in the person of Khoja

Hidayatulla aspired to the direct control of the government. On this Ismail, the Ruler of Kashghar, drove him from the city to Kashmir. He repaired from this to the Dalay Lamma, who sent him with a recommendation for aid to the Ghaldan of Zûnghar. That Chief, however, took the opportunity to annex the country, and, establishing the Khoja as his own governor at Yarkand as the capital, exiled the family of Ismail to Ghulja, the capital of his own government. Hidayatulla, however, though supported by Kalma.k authority, had a troubled rule owing to the opposition and intrigues of the rival faction.

   T.H.   The following particulars regarding this remarkable character, the founder of

the Khoja power in the country of which he is now venerated as the patron saint,

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