Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 4.2
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 4.2
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4.2.1
The Hindoos, being worse mounted than the cavalry of Subooktugeen, were unable to withstand them, and, wearied out by the manoeuvre just mentioned, began to give way. Subooktugeen perceiving their disorder, made a general assault: the Hindoos were every where defeated, and fled, and were pursued, with great slaughter, to the banks of the Neelab. Subooktugeen acquired in this action both fame and wealth, for, besides the rich plunder of the Indian camp, he levied heavy contributions on the countries of Lumghan and Pishawur, including all the territory west of the Neelab; causing himself to be acknowledged king over that country, and appointing one of his officers, with ten thousand horse, to the government of Pishawur. The Afghans and Khiljies who resided among the mountains having taken the oath of allegiance to Subooktugeen, many of them were enlisted in his army, after which he returned in triumph to Ghizny. Abool Munsoor, king of Bokhara, died about this time, and his son Nooh the Sixth, of the house of Samany, sat upon the throne. Being attacked by one Faik, a rebel chief, Abool Nusr Farsy was deputed from Bokhara to Subooktugeen, to beg his assistance. Subooktugeen, influenced by gratitude to the house of Samany, hastened with his army towards Mavur-ool-Nehr, while Nooh advanced to the country of Suruksh to meet him. Subooktugeen sent a messenger to Nooh, requesting that on account of his age and infirmities he might be excused from dismounting when they met.
4.2.2
On advancing, however, and recognising the features of the royal house of Samany in the face of the young prince, he was unable to control his emotions of loyalty, and throwing himself from his horse, ran to kiss his stirrup, which the young king perceiving, prevented the attempt by himself dismounting, and receiving him in his embrace. The season being too far advanced for military operations, it was agreed, that Subooktugeen should return, during the winter, to Ghizny; and Ameer Nooh, after conferring the usual dresses of honour, returned to Bokhara. Boo Ally Hussun, Bin Sunjur, who having seized part of Khorassan had given an asylum to Faik, heard of the alliance formed between Ameer Nooh and Subooktugeen, and now became apprehensive of the consequence of favouring the rebel. Having consulted his council as to where he should find protection in case fortune deserted him, it was resolved that he should endeavour to ensure the alliance of Fukhr-ood-Dowla Delimy, ruler of Joorjan. He accordingly sent one Jafur Zoolkurnein ambassador to Joorjan, with valuable and curious presents, the produce of Khorassan and Toorkistan and a treaty of friendship was formed between these two princes.
4.2.3
Subooktugeen in the mean while put his troops in motion, and arrived at Bulkh, where Ameer Nooh joined him with his forces from Bokhara. Faik and Boo-Ally-Hussun, hearing of this junction, marched (accompanied by Dara the general of Fukhr-ood-Dowla) from Herat, to oppose the king. Subooktugeen, pitching his camp on an extensive plain, awaited the approach of the enemy, who soon after appeared in his front. He then drew out his army in order of battle, and took post in the centre, having with him his son Mahmood, and the young king of Bokhara.
4.2.4
At first the rebel troops advanced with great intrepidity, and pressed so closely on the flanks of Subooktugeen, that both wings began to give ground, and his army was on the point of being defeated. At this critical moment Dara, the general of Fukhr-ood-Dowla, galloping up to the centre where Subooktugeen in person led his troops, laid his shield over his back (a signal of friendship), as he approached, and riding up to him, begged he would accept of his services. After this, returning to his division, he immediately brought it over to the side of Subooktugeen, and faced round on his deserted friends. Subooktugeen, taking advantage of the confusion which ensued, charged and put the enemy to flight, pursuing them with slaughter, and taking many prisoners. Thus this unhappy man (Faik), who had raised his hand against his sovereign, lost his honour and his wealth, a tenth part of which might have maintained him and his family in splendour and happiness. Faik and Boo-Ally-Hussun fled, and took the route of Nyshapoor. Subooktugeen, after this signal victory, received from the king of Bokhara the title of Nasir-ood-Deen (Hero of the faith), and his son Mahmood that of Syf-ood-Dowla (Sword of the state).
4.2.5
Ameer Nooh marched to Bokhara, and Subooktugeen and his son Mahmood to Nyshapoor. Faik and Boo-Ally-Hussun fled, at their approach, into Joorjan, and took refuge with Fukhr-ood-Dowla. The country being thus cleared of the enemy, Subooktugeen returned to Ghizny, while his son Mahmood remained at Nyshapoor with a small force. Faik and Boo-Ally-Hussun, availing themselves of this circumstance, collected their forces and attacked Mahmood, before he could receive reinforcements either from the emperor or his father, on which occasion he was defeated, and lost all his baggage. Subooktugeen, hearing of his son's situation, hastened towards Nyshapoor, and meeting with the troops of Faik, attacked them without delay. In the heat of the action, a dust was observed suddenly to rise in the rear of Boo-ally-Hussun, which announced the approach of Prince Mahmood. Faik and Boo-ally-Hussun, finding they should soon be surrounded, made a desperate but unavailing charge against Subooktugeen. Mahmood arriving at that instant, attacked them like an angry lion, and they, unable to resist his fury, fled, and took refuge in the fort of Kilat.
4.2.6
After this victory, Subooktugeen resided at Bulkh, in peace and tranquillity, but in less than a year he fell into a languishing disorder, which not yielding to the power of medicine, he determined to try change of air; and accordingly commenced a journey to Ghizny. He became so weak when he arrived at Toormooz (not far from Bulkh), that he was obliged to stop there, and expired in the month of Shaban (August), in the year 387, his remains being carried on to Ghizny for interment. Subooktugeen was a prince of great bravery and conduct, and governed his subjects with prudence, equity, and moderation, for twenty years. He died in the fifty-sixth year of his age. After him fourteen kings of his race reigned at Ghizny and Lahore. His Vizier, Abool Abass Fazil, Bin Ahmud Isferany, was considered a great minister in the management both of civil and military affairs.
4.2.7
The author of the Jama-ool-Hikayat relates, that "Subooktugeen was at first a private horseman in the service of Aluptugeen, and being of a vigorous and active disposition, used to hunt every day in the forest. It happened on a time, as he was engaged in the amusement of the chase, he saw a doe grazing along with her fawn. On which, spurring his horse, he seized the fawn, and binding its legs proceeded on his return home. Having ridden but a short distance, he looked back, and beheld the doe following him, exhibiting every demonstration of affliction. The soul of Subooktugeen melting with pity, he unbound the fawn, and restored it to liberty: the happy mother turned her face to the wilderness, often turning round to gaze on Subooktugeen. "He is said to have seen during that night, in a dream, the Prophet of God, (on whom be peace!) who said to him, 'That generosity which you have this day shown to a distressed animal has been appreciated by God, and the kingdom of Ghizny is assigned to you in this world as your reward: let not thy power, however, undermine thy virtue, but thus continue the exercise of benevolence towards mankind.'" It is stated, also, in the Maasir-ool-Moolook, that his son Mahmood, having built a pleasure-house in an elegant garden near the city of Ghizny, invited his father, when it was finished, to a magnificent entertainment which he had prepared for him.
4.2.8
Mahmood, in the joy of his heart, desired the opinion of Subooktugeen concerning the house and garden, which were much admired on account of the taste displayed in their formation. The king, to the great disappointment of his son, told him that he viewed the whole as a bauble, which any of his subjects might raise by the means of wealth; observing, that it was the business of a prince to raise more durable fabrics to fame, which might stand for ever, as objects worthy of imitation, but difficult to be surpassed by posterity. The poet Nizamy Oorazy of Samarkand makes upon this saying the following reflection: "Notwithstanding the numerous palaces built by Mahmood, who vaunted of their beauty and magnificence, yet we see not one stone in its proper place; though the poems of Oonsurry still remains a splendid monument of his talents."
4.2.9
It is related in the Tuijooma Yemny, that a short time previously to his death, Ameer Nasir-ood-Deen Subooktugeen held a conversation with Sheikh Abool Futteh of Boost. He observed, "In the exertions we make to avert disease with the hopes of recovery, I am forcibly reminded of the condition of sheep and the butcher. In the first instance, the sheep is brought into a strange place, is bound by the feet, and is apprehensive that his end is approaching. After much exertion he submits; and, on being shorn of his fleece, is allowed to get up and be at liberty; this ceremony is more than once renewed during his life; and, lastly, when the moment of death arrives, he permits himself to be quietly bound, and resigns his throat to the knife, while he firmly hopes he is only thrown down to be shorn. So we become, in the course of time, accustomed to the bed of sickness; we have recovered so often, that we have no apprehension of danger, till at last death comes suddenly upon us, and throws his noose round our necks, and we are in an instant throttled." It is said this conversation occurred only about forty days before the King's death.