The unworthy and sinful Abū Talib al Hussyny represents to those who stand at the foot of the royal throne, that during my residence in the two sacred cities of Mecca and Medina, I saw in the library of Jāfer, Governor (Hākim) of Yemen, a book, in the _Tūrky_ language, dictated (mulfuzāt) by his Majesty, who now dwells in paradise, Timūr _Sahib Kerāny_, may God pardon him all his offences, in which are inserted all the occurrences of his life from seven to seventy-one years, and in which he narrates the means by which he had subdued so many countries, and had become the sovereign of so many dominions, in hopes that this book may become an exemplar for posterity, and the cause of promoting religion. But as the work was written in the Tūrky language interspersed with Arabic, and therefore difficult to be understood, I have translated it from Tūrky into easy Persian, that it may be useful to Princes in administering their affairs and in preserving their authority. Ministers and Generals may also derive great benefit from the perusal of it in conducting the business of Government. May the Almighty God preserve and protect his Imperial Majesty _Sahib Kerany Sany_[10] (Shāh Jehān) from all the vicissitudes and evils of life, and keep extended over the heads of mankind the Shadow of his Sovereignty and Justice through the (intercession) of the Arabian Prophet, his illustrious descendants, and his beneficent companions.—The Text will be found in Appendix No. I. ----- Footnote 10: Sahib Kerān, signifies Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction; Sany, the second. Shāh Jehān mounted the throne of Hindūstan, A. H. 1037, A. D. 1628. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MEMOIRS OF TIMŪR. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BOOK I.—TEZŪKĀT. -------------- CHAPTER I. Be it known to my victorious and fortunate Sons, to my noble and princely Grandsons and others, that,[11] _Tūrky_. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I have written my Memoirs in the _Tūrky_ language, in order that each and every one of my posterity, who, by the divine aid, and the protection of Muhammed, (upon whom and upon his descendants be the peace of God) shall ascend my Throne and succeed to my Sovereignty, which I obtained by much labour, toil, marches and wars, (having understood them) may put in practice those rules and regulations, by which their Sovereignty and Dominion may be preserved safe from ruin or decay. * * * * *