Indian Antiquary Vol 12

SR No.: 032504
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 390
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 148

130
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MAY, 1883.
showed their independence before Chinghiz Palladius reports a Chinese legend that a Khân was heard of.
deserter incited Chinghiz Khân to march, We will now turn to the latter's famous on the ground that the Kin emperor was campaign against the Kin empire. Although continually degrading and killing his relatives. the Mongols were virtually independent of Chinghiz having determined to attack the the Kin Tartars, it seems that they paid | empire sent Chepe to make a preliminary raid, them a certain tribute, and we are told with orders to march eastwards if he should that when the Kin emperor, Taiho, i. e. Chang- succeed in defeating the invaders. His duty Tsung, who reigned from 1189 to 1208, sent was no doubt that of reconnoitring the country Yun-tsi, who was his uncle, and who held the and he presently returned with the fruit of fief of Wei, in Honan, to receive their tribute at his pillage. The Yuan-shi-lei-pen says he was Tsing-chau, i. e. Kuku Khoten, Chinghiz, who accompanied by the Khitan chief Yeliu Kohai despised him, omitted the usual ceremonies of who, we are told, was a great Mandarin among welcome, and when Yun-tsi returned home he the Kins, and had been sent as an envoy by them tried to persuade his nephew, the emperor, toto Chinghiz with whom he was so charmed that send an army to punish him. The latter would not he determined to join him, which he did after consent. At length, in 1208, he was succeeded patting his wife and children in safety. Chinby Yun-tsi, otherwise called Chong.hei. On ghiz now prepared for a vigorous campaign the his accession an officer was sent to apprise following year. Before setting out, according Chinghiz, and to demand tribute. Instead of to Rashidu'd-din, he called his followers kneeling down to receive his orders in the usual around him, and recalled to them how his way, Chinghiz asked him on whose behalf he ancestors had suffered great indignities and had come. When he replied Yun-tsi; the Mon- hardships at the hands of the Chinese monarch. gol chief turned towards the south, spat in the He said through the favour of God he had air, and replied scornfully that he had under triumphed over his various enemies, and through stood that hitherto an emperor of China was the help of the same God he would conquer the son of heaven,' but he did not see how an this empire also, and raise the reputation of the imbecile like Chong-hei could use such a title. Mongols to the highest point. They applauded He accordingly mounted on horseback and this speech, and it was determined first to send withdrew. When Yun-tsi heard what had an envoy to the Altan Khân or Golden Khân, happened he was much enraged, but he was as the Kin Wangti was known to the Mongols, afraid to declare war, and determined to to bid him submit, and in case he should put the Mongol chief to death when he came refuse, to apprise him that war must be the to do homage. Chinghiz having heard of this consequence. For this duty, Jafar Khoja was made up his mind to break completely with the selected.' The Tabakat-i-Nasiri describes him Kin court. Chinghiz had grievances ready to as a Musalman trader. Rashid speaks of him his hand. We have seen how the Kin anthorities as one of Chinghiz Khân's principal people. had put to death some of his relatives in an Rashid has reported his message in rhetorical ignominious way before his own accession. It language, and makes him remind the Altan would seem they had repeated the offence Khân how God had selected him and his family more recently, and according to the Yuan-shi- to lead the other Mongols, and how his authorilei-pen, in 1206, when they put to death one of ty had in a few years extended over a wide his relations named Ching pu-hai, called Sien- area, and that the penalty of resisting him was pu-hai-han by De Mailla. We are further told the utter destruction of house and goods, that in the previous reign some kin officers who wealth and dependents. His power was now had deserted had incited him to attack the Kin so well established that he was ready to march empire, on the ground that its ruler was against China with an army numerous as the haughty and proud and hated by his people. waves, either to secure peace or to enforce war.
• Alluding to the title of Tien-tai which the Chinese Wangtis affect.
Douglas, pp. 59 and 60 ; Hyacinthe, pp. 43-45; De Mailla, tome IX, pp. 43 and 44; Gaubil, p. 14; D'Ohsson, VOL. 1, pp. 122 and 123 notes.
De Mailla, tome IX, pp. 41 and 42; Gaubil, p. 14. Yuan-chao-pi-shi, note 536.
Douglas, pp. 58 and 59; Hyacinthe, pp. 42 and 43: Gaubil, p. 14.
* Abulghazi calls him Chakar Khoja.