Blood and Lineage: The Tragic Tale of Zūtamin Khān and the Jalairs from the Akbarnama

The Akbarnama, Abu'l Fazl's monumental history of Emperor Akbar, isn't just a chronicle of reign; it's a deep dive into the very roots of the imperial lineage. Tracing Akbar's ancestry back through Timur and the legendary figures of Central Asia, the text reveals a history shaped by divine favor, strategic alliances, and often, brutal conflict. One such episode, stark in its detail, recounts the fate of Zūtamin Khān and his family at the hands of the Jalair tribe.

Zūtamin Khān: A Link in the Chain

Following the reigns of Būzanjar Qāān and Būqa Khān, the lineage continues with Zūtamin Khān, described as the "upright son of Būqa Khān." Appointed as heir by his father, Zūtamin dedicated himself to strengthening the administration and increasing the prosperity of his kingdom. He fathered nine sons, ensuring the continuation of this important line.

Upon Zūtamin's death, his mother, Manūlūn, a woman noted for her "wisdom and management," took on the crucial task of raising her grandsons. This period, however, would be tragically short-lived.

The Ambush and the Massacre

The text recounts a devastating turn of events involving the Jalairs, a tribe belonging to the Darlgin group. Driven by motives not explicitly detailed in this passage, the Jalairs laid a cunning ambush. The target of their attack was Manūlūn and her sons.

The result was horrific. The Jalairs "laid an ambush and killed Manūlūn and eight of her sons." This single act of tribal violence wiped out almost an entire generation of this noble lineage, leaving the future uncertain.

Qaidū Khān's Escape and Vengeance

Fortunately for the lineage, one son, Qaidū Khān, escaped the massacre. He had traveled to China (Mācin) to become his cousin's son-in-law, a journey that inadvertently saved his life.

Upon learning of the tragedy, Qaidū Khān did not forget. With the help of his allies in Mācin, he sought retribution against the Jalairs. The response was swift and severe. The Jalairs were compelled to "put to death seventy men who had been engaged in the murder of Manūlūn and her children." But the vengeance didn't stop there. The wives and children of those involved were bound and sent to Qaidū Khān, who "marked their foreheads with the token of servitude." Their descendants, the text notes, remained "in the prison of slavery" for a long time.

This act of brutal reprisal, while shocking to modern sensibilities, reflects the harsh realities of tribal justice and power dynamics in this historical context. It ensured that the Jalairs paid a heavy price for their attack and re-established the dominance of Qaidū Khān's line.

Continuing the Legacy

Qaidū Khān went on to secure his position, founding cities and consolidating power. His survival and subsequent actions were crucial, allowing the lineage to continue and eventually lead to the birth of Timur, the Lord of Conjunction, and ultimately, Emperor Akbar.

This dramatic episode, preserved in the Akbarnama, serves as a powerful reminder of the volatile world from which the Mughal empire emerged. It highlights not only the importance of lineage and succession but also the unforgiving nature of tribal conflicts and the lengths to which individuals would go to seek justice and preserve their family's future. It's a story of loss, survival, and retribution, woven into the grand tapestry of history that Abu'l Fazl sought to record.