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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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P. incurable affliction. His impetuous bravery and ferocity in battle soon gained him the reputation of a successful soldier, and he rose to the rank of Amirilaskkar, " Commander of an Army " or General, before he was obliged to retire from active service to the unemployed rank of Pansaddi, "Commander of 500." He is said to have killed with his own hands full 10,000 of the enemy—men, women and children—during the six years of war, and was struck blind, even his admirers admit, by the direct act of God to prevent his destroying more of His innocent creatures.

In the introductory pages of this little book, which is entitled chronographically as well as significantly, Tdrikki Sighczr, " Little History," 1290 H. (1873-74 A.D.), is a brief notice of the rise and progress of the present ruling family of Khokand. From this, with other published data and personal enquiries on the spot (Kashghar), I am enabled to compile the following account :

T.S.      In 1104 H. (1692 A.D.) there resided in the suburbs of Khokand two Kapchak
brothers, originally of Changiz descent, named Culûn Bi and Chamach Bi. They were disciples of Maulana Lutfulla of Chust, which is seven , farsakh off across the River Syhon ; and they used daily to cross the river together to supply the venerated divine with curds and cream. The divine always favoured the elder brother, Culûn Bi; but one day as they went to him with their daily offering they were attacked by a party of Manghit robbers who relieved Cuhin of his load. In the struggle Chamach escaped to Chust with his portion of the curds and cream.

Lutfulla on learning the cause of the other's absence, for being empty-handed after escape from his despoilers he returned home, told the younger brother that it was his fortune to gain his blessing ; and forthwith stretching his hands to heaven the Saint prayed, " Oh God ! grant that the children of Chamach Bi become kings, "and those of Culûn Bi, ministers. And grant, Oh God ! that the children of Manghit, "exceeding forty, be born blind."

Chamach Bi died in Khokand, and left a son named Rahim Bi who became king. On his death his son Erdana (Edenia or Adania) succeeded to the throne. He conquered Karâtakin and Darwaz and Pamir to Wakhan, and in 1758 A.D. acknowledged the protectorate of the Chinese empire bordering on his eastern frontier. He left two sons, Muhammad Amin and Shahrûkh, of whom the first and eldest succeeded to the throne. He soon died, and left two sons, Narbota, Beg and Haji Beg. Narbota Beg succeeded, and he, too, acknowledged the protectorate of China, and sent his brother Haji Beg out of the way on a pilgrimage to Mecca. On his return thence he married a Khokand lady, who bore him a son named Beg Oghaly. Afterwards he took a second wife, the daughter of a chief of the Cochcar Jûmghal Kirghiz, and she bore him a son named Sher Ali. Narbota Beg left two sons, Alim Beg and Umar Beg, of whom the former succeeded to the Khani.

Culnn Bi left a son, Ernazar Mirza, who was Begibcish, or " Commander-in-Chief," in the time of Rahim Bi, and was noted for his bravery and exploits. He died a natural death, and left a son named Abdurrahmân Mirza. He succeeded as Begibcrsh, and soon acquired a reputation eclipsing that of his father. He captured Gharmsaran and Namangan from the Khoja rulers, and wrested Marghinan from the Uzbak possessors. He conquered the districts of Isfar and Charkoh held by Zumurrud Shah, and drove the Mirs from Oratappa. He also captured Khujand, and built the frontier forts of Shahrûkhya and Kilaochi. All these enterprises he carried out as the Begibcish of Erdana Bi, in whose reign the whole province was consolidated under one rule. After this he raised a large army in Khujand, and passing Jizza,k laid siege to Samarcand for twenty-eight days, when he retired on the payment of a yearly tribute of one pûd of gold by the Bukhara King, Shah Murk Bi, and carried away with him the Karacalpak families found there.

Whilst he was engaged on this expedition, Awlay Khan, the Governor of Tashkand, raided Gharmsaran and Namangan, and was returning with his plunder, when Abdurrahman giving chase overtook him at Toetappa, and recovered the booty and captives. He sent these to Narbota at Khokand, and himself returned by

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