* SINCE the country of Mávará-un-Nahr, owing to the events above related, was in a state of disruption and confusion, Tughluk-Timur Khan (son* of Davá Khán, a descendant of Chaghatái Khán), King of Jatah, to whom by right of descent this country belonged, having called together his officers and courtiers, and having made ready an army, set out, in a manner becoming a great conqueror, towards Mávará-un-Nahr. This was in the month of Rabi Assani, 761 of the Hajra, [March A.D. 1360] corresponding to the year of the Mouse [Sichkán] of the Tartar cycle. Thirty years had elapsed between the death of Tármashirin* and this event—and during this period there had reigned eight khans of the race of Chaghatái. When Tughluk Timur Khan arrived at Chanák Bulák, which is near the river of Khojand, in the plains of Táshkand, he consulted with his princes and generals, and they decided that the wisest plan would be for Ulugh Tuktimur, of the tribe of Karáit,* Háji Beg of the tribe of Arkenut,* and Begjik of the tribe of Kánghali,* to go forward and reconnoitre. The three princes hastened to carry out these orders, and when they had crossed the river of Khojand, Amir Báyázid Jaláir, together with his people, joined them, and they all proceeded together in the direction of Shahr-i-Sabz.

Amir Háji Barlás having collected troops from Kesh, Karshi, and that neighbourhood, set out to oppose these combined forces. But on reconsidera­tion, judging the plan to be unwise, he turned with his own force towards Khorásán, before the two armies had come into conflict.