The actual distance of the voyage was much augmented by the constant dangers to which their lives and property were exposed on the sea. When, at last, they arrived at the port of the Chinese frontier they were conducted stage by stage, by the deputies and officers of that country according to the Káání in­stitutes, were furnished with supplies and tents, and were not troubled for the payment of any duties. In this manner they reached the Urdú, or Imperial Camp, at Táídú, near Khánbálígh.

The Khán was at that time indisposed, but the four principal ministers and other nobles* were present in the assembly and sat beyond the royal carpet on golden seats, with great pomp and dignity. Búká, on his first introduction, considered a salám sufficient, and did not kneel down, to which want of respect they raised objections. Búká, who was a shrewd and eloquent Turk, replied, “It is the royal order, that until I behold the blessed countenance of the Khán, the very abstract of the book of pros­perity, I should not look upon any pillars of the state or nobles of his majesty.” They were then admitted to a personal inter­view, and presented the rarities entrusted to them, which were most graciously received. The merchandize also was brought forward and approved. The Khán then presented a cup of wine with his royal hand, and issued orders that the am­bassadors, during their stay, should be furnished with residences, food, clothes, and servants appropriate to the four seasons; and forty-five horses were placed at their disposal. * * *

The ambassadors remained four years in China and were dis­missed with honour, and a daughter of one of the nobles was bestowed upon Fakhru-d dín. A friendly reply was written to Gházán Khán, and presents were sent in return, together with some valuable silk stuffs, which had fallen to the share of Hulákú Khán, but had remained in China since the time of Mangú Khán. An ambassador took charge of them on a separate junk, and he was commissioned to deliver expressions of friendship and regard.

Malik Fakhru-d dín departed, much gratified at his reception, accompanied by the embassies and twenty-three junks, and other vessels laden with valuable property. The ambassador of the Khán died on the voyage * * * and when they were only two days distant from Ma'bar, Malik Fakhru-d dín also died. * * * His tomb is in Ma'bar, near that of his uncle. His death occurred towards the close of the year of 704 H.* (1305 A.D.). * * *

In the middle of the year 705 H. Shaikhu-l Islam Jamálu-d dín was summoned from the principality of Kais to the capital of Shíráz, the government of which place was conferred upon him. He accepted the office in obedience to the command, although he was ill at the time. * * * He died in the year 706 H. (1306 A.D.) to the great regret of the inhabitants of Shíráz, who raised a handsome tomb over his remains, and composed an elegy upon his death. * * * The author also, in consideration of certain obligations conferred upon him by the deceased, gave vent to his feelings in the following poem.

The History of Sultán 'Aláu-d dín (continued).

When Sultán 'Aláu-d dín had fully established himself in the empire of Dehli, and his conquests and holy wars had proclaimed him universally as the greatest champion of the Muhammadan religion, it happened, that in the year 708, 'Alí Beg Gúrgán, with an army consisting of three túmáns, marched to Hindú-stán, and pitched his camp in the vicinity of 'Iwaz (Oudh) and Badáún, expecting to make an easy conquest of that country. The Sultan despatched his general Hazár-Dínárí, who was called Malik Kafúr,* with 80,000 formidable and veteran cavalry to expel them; and when the army of Islám was within the distance of a day's journey from the enemy, it made suddenly a night attack on their camp, which was left quite unguarded, and the greater part of the Mughal armies received their retribution ('iwaz) from the empire of Dehli, where they met with the silent tomb of entire annihilation. Having surrounded the remnant on the field of battle they deprived them of their arms,” and 'Alí Beg and other officers of the Mughals were carried captive to Dehli.

“Sultán 'Aláu-d dín gave orders that the sword of menace and the declaration of unity should be offered to them; when, as they they could not help themselves, they placed their heads on the line of Islám,” and repeated the profession of the Muhammadan creed. * * * “'Aláu-d dín honoured and gave preferment to 'Alí Beg, and made him one of his nobles, and the Mughal army was provided for amongst the armies of Islám. After the battle an order was issued by 'Aláu-d dín to gather together the heads of those who had been slain. This matter was specially made over to the Hindús. On counting them after they were thrown at the feet of the holy warrior they were found to amount to 60,000, and, as was done with the Nigúdarí* Mughals, a pillar was constructed of these heads before the Badáún gate, in order that it might be a warning and spectacle to future gene­rations. The good tidings of this happy conquest were published throughout all the countries and provinces both of the faithful and the idolatrous.

Conquest of Telingána.

In the year 709 (1309 A.D.),—the year arrived in prosperity and the time was propitious,—the lofty mind of the king greatly inclined towards the conquest of the whole of Hindústán, and the subjection of the infidels. Previous to this, Málwa had been con­quered; he, therefore despatched Malik Nabú, Zafar Khán, and Nának Hindí,* with an army consisting of one hundred thousand horse and foot,—

Oh thou for whom there is an army that obtains victory,—

to conquer the province of Telingána. When they arrived on its frontier, the Ráí of that province adopted a prudent reso­lution, submitted to the Muhammadans, and agreed to pay an annual tribute and receive the royal collectors, and that populous territory, replete with every kind of wealth—

As the cheek of your friend full of excellence,
In which are all desires you are in search of,—

containing more than 30,000 tracts of country, was added to the Muhammadan empire. It is related that 6,000 kharwárs, or loads, of gold were despatched to Dehli,—

Much yellow gold was in the large sacks,—

and in consequence of the abundance of diamonds obtained by plunder, they became so cheap that, one weighing a miskál, could be purchased for three dínárs.

The Conquest of Dúr Samundar.

The royal army marched from this place towards the country of Dúr Samun. Ráí Pandyá offered opposition, and begged the assistance of an army from Ma'bar. At that time enmity pre­vailed between the two brothers, Sundar Pandí and Tíra Pandí, after the murder of their father. The latter sent to his assistance an army of horse and foot. Subsequently, the Ráí, turning to the right rank, declined a contest, and, having proffered his sub­mission, he was left in possession of his country without the necessity of fighting. He delivered up to Malik Kafúr the country of 'Aríkanna, as a proof of his allegiance, and treasure beyond what imagination can conceive, together with 55 large elephants, which were worthy of carrying the great and for­tunate heroes of the time, so that the country was restored to him, and, instead of shell-blowing, pyrolatry, and idol-worship, the true faith and the five daily prayers were established. On account of these transactions the fame of the first holy wars which opened Hind under Mahmúd Subuktigín was erased from the page of history.