TIMUR AS CHAMPION OF ISLAM 175 which were inspired also by a pious zeal for the re- nown of having been a Champion of the Faith of Mo- hammed. Excerpts from the rendering by Chapman and Dowson in Elliot's collection are here given. 1 About the year 800 A. H. (1398 A. D.), there arose in my heart the desire to lead an expedition against the infidels and to become a Champion of the Faith, for it had reached my ears that the slayer of infidels is a Champion and that, if he is slain, he becomes a martyr. It was for this reason that I formed my reso- lution, but I was undetermined in my mind whether I should direct my expedition against the infidels of China or against the infidels and polytheists of India. In this matter I sought an omen from the Koran, and the verse to which I opened was this: " Prophet, make war upon infidels and unbelievers, and treat them with severity." My chief officers told me that the inhabitants of Hindustan were infidels and unbelievers. In obedience to the mandate of Almighty God, I determined to make an expedition against them, and I issued orders to the amirs of mature years and to the leaders in war to assemble in my presence, and when they had come together, I questioned the assembly as to whether I should invade Hindustan or China, and said to them: " By the command of God and of His Prophet I needs must make war upon these infidels and polytheists." Throwing themselves upon their knees, they all wished me good fortune. I then asked the warrior chieftains whether I should direct my expedition against the
