1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 207 



III. — Contributions to the Chronology of the reigns of Timur and his 

 Descendants up to Shdhjahdn, JSTo. I. By H. Blochmann, Esq., 

 M. A., Assist. Professor, Calcutta Madrasah. 



The object of this paper is to collect the statements of several 

 Indian Historians regarding the dates of birth, accession, and death, 

 of the Tiinurides up to Shahjahan. For no period of Indian History 

 do we possess better materials than for the times of the Moghul 

 kings ; we have contemporary histories, and even autobiographies, 

 and yet, the chronology of their reigns is by no means so satisfactory 

 as we might expect from the number of historical works. Differences 

 in the dates of events of less importance are common enough, and 

 may even be met with among modern Historians. But it is a matter 

 of surprise, if historical writers disagree on more important dates, 

 such as the birth, the accession, or the death of a king. 



In some cases chronological differences are traceable to the careless- 

 ness of the historians. The Tabaqdt i Alcbari by Nizamuddin of 

 Harat affords a remarkable example. Of its chronology Badaoni says 

 (II, p. 342)- 



" On Thursday, the 19th Babi' I, 993, the season of spring had 

 commenced, and the New Year's day of the Emperor's era took place. 

 According to the work of Mirza Nizamuddin Ahmad, who has arrang- 

 ed the history of His Majesty by years, the year 993 is the thirtieth 

 year from the emperor's accession ; but the fact is, that the second 

 qaran (a space of thirty years) begins from the 25th Babi' I, 994, when 

 His Majesty was at Atak Banaras (Attock), as related below. The 

 cause of this confusion is apparent* enough : the Mirza has forgotten 

 to take into account the intercalary days (ayydm i kabisah), which in 

 three years amount to one lunar month, the difference between solar 

 and lunar years being one year per qaran. As I have no astronomical 

 tables with me, I have necessarily followed the chronology of the 

 Mirza ; but the responsibility rests with him."f 



For similar hints vide Bad. II, p. 351, 1. 1 ; p. 352 ; p. 356, 1. 1 ; 

 p. 365, middle. 



The above remark of Badaoni shews that there is room for further 



* In the edition of the Bibl. Indica, Bad. II, 342, read hamdnci for hamdnjd. 

 t In the text read haruat for bariwhyaiast. 



