Muntakhab al-tawarikh 5.11

5.11

This story is according to the relation of Nizami, but the Qazi Baizawi relates that in the year 432 Mas'ud fled defeated from before the Seljuqs to Ghaznin, and Amir Muhammad who had consolidated his power during Mas'ud's absence sent him to a fortress whither his son Ahmad ibn Muhammad followed him and murdered him. The Government of Sultan Mas'ud ibn Mahmud lasted eleven years, but we ought to note that the Qazi Baizawi (may God’s mercy be upon him) assigns the year 434 H as the date of the death of Mas'ud, and writes that Muhammad ibn Mahmud reigned in Ghaznin for fourteen years after his father, one year after his father's death, nine years in the lifetime of his brother, and four years after his brother’s death, as has already been stated. God alone knows the truth. Apparently this is due to the mistake of a copyist. Among the poets who flourished in the time of Sultan Mas'ud is Manuchihri who speaks as follows in a qasidah concerning his Wazir, Couplet. Shah Mas'ud is as proud of his rectitude As is the prophet of Naushirwan the upright.