BABER. 
139 
“ Though in former times there were such cities as 
Almaligh, Almatu, and Yangi, which is known in 
books of history by the name of Otrar ; yet at the pre- 
sent date, in consequence of the incursions of the Uz- 
becks, they are desolate and no population remains/’* 
The country of Ferghana is surrounded on all sides 
by hills of considerable altitude, except on the west 
towards Samerkund and Khojend, where there are 
none. On that side only is it open to invasion. 
It is divided into two parts by the river Sihun or 
Jaxartes, there being five small districts on the south 
and two on the north, which are extremely prolific in 
grain and fruits. In Baber’s time the revenues of 
Ferghana would not more than suffice for the mainte- 
nance of from three to four thousand troops. 
On the 10th of June 1494, the prince being at his 
father’s capital, received intelligence of the event 
which left him the sovereignty of a small but disturbed 
kingdom. Omer Sheikh was at the fort of Akhsit at 
the time of the disaster which terminated his life. 
No sooner was his death made public, than Baber’s 
two uncles, the one on his father’s, the other on his 
mother’s side, attempted to prevent their nephew’s 
succession and become masters of his kingdom ; but 
the vigour of the young monarch frustrated the en- 
deavour of these ambitious relatives. 
Having discovered the treachery of one Mohammed 
Dervish, Baber despatched him with his own hand. 
This energy in so youthful a sovereign astonished his 
enemies, who soon left him in quiet possession of his 
* Memoirs of Baber, p. 1. 
t One of the two districts of Ferghana, north of the Jaxartes. 
