Indian Antiquary Vol 13

SR No.: 032505
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 492
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
him to murder the envoys, he was put to death by having silver poured into his eyes and ears. The place of his punishment was the famous Gag Serai, where the great Timur afterwards built his palace." According to Petit de la Croix, probably here following Nissavi, the Mongols having razed the castle of Otrar, rebuilt the city walls, and permitted the old men, women, and children to return to it, and the garrison was forbidden to disturb them. Meanwhile the young and active men were sent on to share in the capture of Bukhara. While the three divisions just mentioned were overrunning the country north of the Jaxartes, Chinghiz in person, who had with him his youngest son, Tului, marched against Bukhara. The first town they stopped at was Zarnuk, whose inhabitants retired to the citadel. Chinghiz sent them his chamberlain, Danishmend, who thus addressed them:-"I am a Musalmân, and the son of a Musalmân. I come on behalf of Chinghiz Khan, to save you from destruction. If you make the least resistance your fortress and houses shall be razed to the ground, and your fields shall be flooded with your blood; if you submit you shall preserve your lives and goods." Shaking at these words, says the Eastern Chronicler, as a mountain shakes when torn by an internal earthquake, the inhabitants sent ont a deputation with presents to submit to the conqueror's terms. Having carried off the young men, who were destined to aid in the siege of Bukhara, he allowed the rest of the inhabitants to return to their houses; the castle was razed. The name of the city was changed to Kutluk-baligh, i.e. happy city."
Chinghiz Khân now continued his march towards Nurata or Nur. Nur means light, and the place was so called because it included several shrines. A Turkoman, a native of Zarnuk, guided the Mongols along a byway to Nur, which was afterwards known as the Grand Khân's route." At this time, we are told, there was at Nur a man named Zerka, who had extraordinarily sharp sight. He was posted as a look-out on a belvedere, and reported the approach of an enemy. When news arrived of the fall of Zarnuk they went to him,
so Erdmann, Temudachin, pp. 369 and 371; D'Ohason, vol. I, pp. 219 and, 21; Abulfaraj, Chron. Syr., pp. 468 and 469; De la Croix, 169.
Erdmann, pp. 378 and 379; D'Ohsson, vol. I, p. 227; Petit de la Croix, p. 206.
[JULY, 1884.
and he said that he saw as it were a wood moving towards them. This was a wood which the Mongols cut down near Zarnuk. Three days later a Mongol army approached under the command of Tair Baghatur, who, after Chinghiz Khân's death, commanded the forces on the Indian frontier. He summoned the town. The inhabitants, who had previously shown a bold front, were frightened, and sent a deputy with their submission. Tair having put to death Zerka, who had been captured by his men, and sent to Subutai Baghatur, to whom they surrendered the Kasbeh Nur, they also left the place as was usual, with their great and small cattle, with their furniture and agricultural implements, and necessary provisions, so that the Mongols might plunder it, who found little there, however. Meanwhile Chinghiz Khân having demanded some food, they sent out sixty men under the command of the son of Il Khoja, the governor of Nur, towards Debuseh, where Chinghiz then was, with a large supply of provisions, and he gave them presents. Having learnt that they had paid an annual tribute of 1500 dinars to Muhammad; he ordered the same sum to be paid to himself. One-half of the first year's tribute was made up, says Erdmann, in the funeral garments (trauerkleider), of their wives, but D'Ohsson, with much more probability, says earrings." Chinghiz now advanced upon Bukhara.
Bukhara was an ancient and famous city, which, according to Juveni, derived its name from bokhar, which in the language of the Magi meant the centre of science, and he adds that the name resembles exactly that of bokhar which the Uighur and Chinese idolaters** give to their temples. At the period of its foundation, however, it was called Mejeth. In the earlier days of Ibn Haukal it had two lines of fortifications, the inner one a farsakh square, and the outer one 12 farsakhs in circuit, within which were enclosed castles, parks, gardens, and villages. The river Sogd traversed its faubourgs. The citadel was in contact with the city, and although the surrounding country was very fertile, it did not suffice to feed the inhabitants."5
De la Croix, p. 206.
3 Erdmann, pp. 379 and 380; D'Ohsson, vol. I, p. 228; Petit de la Croix, p. 206.
i.e. the Buddhists.
** D'Ohsson, vol. I, pp. 228 and 229 note.