[315] Thus, according to Narshakhi (p. 243). The statements of historians are somewhat conflicting in this place. De Guignes, following Abulfidā, says that Ye-liu Ta-shi (whom he calls Taigir) died in 1136, when about to abandon Kāshghar and return to his ancient settlements in Tartary. The Khitāys then set upon the throne his infant son, Y-li, with his mother Liao-chi as queen-regent. Bretschneider has translated a Chinese work which gives a list of all the line of Kara-Khitāy rulers, whose dynasty became extinct about 1203. We have not thought it necessary to reproduce a list of their names in this place. It may be mentioned, however, that Bretschneider’s account does not agree with De Guignes. [316] Cf. De Guignes, vol. iii. pt. i. p. 254; Müller, _op. cit._ vol. ii. p. 173. Rashīd ud-Dīn tells us he had drawn auxiliaries from all parts of his dominions. [317] The Kara-Khitāys were Buddhists. [318] Cf. Müller, _loc. cit._ [319] A.H. 537 (1142). [320] Cf. De Guignes, _loc. cit._; and Müller, ii. p. 174. [321] Cf. De Guignes, iii. pt. i. pp. 256, 257. [322] De Guignes (following Abulfidā) says A.H. 550 (1155). [323] Cf. Müller, _op. cit._ ii. 173. [324] Mīrkhwānd (ed. Vüllers, p. 183). Khwāndamīr (_Habīb-us-Siyar_) adds “Kunduz and Baklān” to the list. [325] The word used is _Khānsālār_, which means the “Taster,” or “Table-Decker of the Household.” [326] Mīrkhwānd (ed. Vüllers, p. 185) says that Kamāj and his son perished in this battle, but Hamdullah Mustawfi, in the _Tārīkh-i-Guzīda_, says they were spared. [327] De Guignes, vol. iii. pt. i. p. 256. [328] Mīrkhwānd relates (ed. Vüllers, p. 188) that when Sanjar fled with his army, and was hotly pursued by the Ghuz, a man who bore a striking resemblance to the Sultan was captured. Say what he might, the Ghuz would not be convinced that this was not Sanjar, and paid him all the respect due to royalty, until finally some one recognised him as the son of Sanjar’s cook, whereupon he was beheaded. [329] Professor Shukovski, of St. Petersburg, published in 1894 an excellent and exhaustive monograph on the ruins and past history of Merv, under the title _Razvilini starago Merva_, “The Ruins of Old Merv.” [330] Ed. Vüllers, p. 189. [331] Mīrkhwānd has in this place evidently followed Hafiz Abru (the author of the _Zubdat-ut-Tawārīkh_), who says that the first day of plunder was devoted to articles of gold, brass, and silver; the second to bronzes, carpets, and vases; and the third to whatever of value was left, such as cotton-stuffs, glass, wooden doors, and the like. Cf. Professor Shukovski’s _Ruins of Old Merv_, pp. 29, 30.