The Nāṣirī Generations 20: 4. — Malik Muhammad Suri.
Tabakát-i Násirí (extracts) 20
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4. — Malik Muhammad Suri.
20.1
Abu-l Hasan al Haizam, son of Muhammad-n Nabi author of the Tarikhu-l Haizam, says that when the government of Khurasan and Zawulistan departed from the Samanians and Saffarians, and fell to Amir Subuktigin, he led his army several times towards the hills of Ghor, and carried on many wars. When Amir Mahmud Subuktigin succeeded to the throne, the kingdom of Ghor had devolved upon Amir Muhammad Suri, and he had brought all the territories of Ghor under his sway. Sometimes he made submission to Sultan Mahmud, and at others he revolted, and withheld the payment of the fixed tribute, and the contingent of arms which he had agreed to supply. Relying on the strength of his forts, and the numbers and power of his army, he was continually engaging in hostilities. Sultan Mahmud was consequently always on the watch, and his mind was much disturbed by Suri's power, his large army, and the security afforded to him by the height and inaccessibility of the hills of Ghor. At last he marched to Ghor with a considerable army. Muhammad Suri was besieged in the fort of Ahangaran, and held out for a long time. He fought desperately, but was at last compelled to evacuate the fort, upon conditions, and made his submission to Sultan Mahmud.
20.2
The Sultan took him and his younger son, whose name was Shish, to Ghazni, because the lad was very dear to his father. When they reached the neighbourhood of Gilan, Amir Muhammad Suri died. Some say that he was taken prisoner, and and as he had a very high spirit he could not brook the disgrace. He had a ring, under the stone of which was concealed some poison, which he took and then died. The Sultan immediately sent his son Shish back to Ghor, and gave the chieftainship of Ghor to the eldest son, Amir Abu 'Ali bin Suri, an account of whom follows. 5. Amir Abu 'Ali bin Muhammad bin Suri. 6. Amir 'Abbas bin Shish bin Muhammad bin Suri. 7. Amir Muhammad bin 'Abbas. 8. Malik Kutbu-d din al Hasan bin Muhammad bin 'Abbas. 9. Malik 'Izzu-d din al Husain bin Hasan Abu-s Salatin. 10. Malik Kutbu-d din Muhammad bin Husain, King of the Jabbal. 11. Sultan Bahau-d din Sam bin Husain. 12. Malik Shahabu-d din Muhammad bin Husain, King of Madin, by Ghor. 13. Malik Shuja'u-d din 'Ali bin Husain. 14. Sultan 'Alau-d din Husain bin Husain bin Sam. Sultan Bahau-d din Sam, son of Husain, died in Kidan, whilst he was leading his army to Ghazni in order to exact revenge for the death of Sultan Suri, King of the Jabbal. Sultan 'Alau-d din then ascended the throne of Ghor and Firoz Koh. He assembled the forces of Ghor and Gharjistan, firmly resolved upon attacking Ghazni.
20.3
Sultan Yaminu-d daula Bahram Shah, when he heard of these preparations, assembled the troops of Ghazni and Hindustan and passing through Garmsir by way of Rukhaj and Takinabad, he came to Zamin-dawar. When 'Alau-d din came up with his army, Bahram Shah sent messengers to him, saying, "Go back to Ghor, and stay in the states of your forefathers; you have not the strength to resist my army, for I have brought elephants with me." When the envoys delivered this message, 'Alau-d din replied, "If you have brought elephants (pil) I have brought the Kharmils,—besides, you mistake, for you have slain my brothers, whilst I have killed no one belonging to you. Have you not heard what the Almighty says? 'Whosoever is slain unjustly we have given his heir power (to demand satisfaction); and let him not exceed bounds in putting to death, for he is protected.'" When the messengers returned, both armies made ready for battle. Sultan 'Alau-d din called for his two champions, named Kharmil, who were the heads of the army and the renowned heroes of Ghor. One of these was Kharmil Sam Husain, father of Malik Nasiru-d din Husain; the other was Kharmil Sam Banji. Both of these men were famous for courage. 'Alau-d din sent for them and said, "Bahram Shah has sent to say that he has brought elephants, and I have answered that I have brought the Kharmils. You must each take care to bring an elephant to the ground to-day." They bowed and retired.
20.4
The two armies were drawn up at a place called Kotah-baz-bah. The two champions were on foot, and throwing off their coats of mail, they advanced to battle. When the elephants of Bahram Shah charged, the two champions each singled out one; and creeping under the armour, they ripped open the bellies of the animals with their knives. Kharmil Sam Banji fell under the feet of the elephant, and the animal rolling upon him, they both perished together. Kharmil Sam Husain brought down his elephant, extricated himself, and mounted a horse. When 'Alau-d din had cased himself in armour ready for the fight, he called for an overcoat of red satin, which he put on over his armour. His attendants enquired why he did so, and he said, it was to prevent his men seeing his blood and feeling discouraged, in the event of his being wounded with a lance or arrow. It is the practice in the armies of Ghor for the infantry to protect themselves in battle with a covering made of a raw hide covered thickly on both sides with wool or cotton. This defensive covering is like a board, and is called kâroh. When the men put it on they are covered from head to foot, and their ranks look like walls. The wool is so thick that no weapon can pierce it.
20.5
Daulat Shah, son of Bahrám Shah, advanced to the assault, mounted on an elephant at the head of his cavalry, and 'Alau-d din directed his kâroh-wearers to make an opening in their line, and allow the prince and his followers to pass through. When all had gone through the kâroh-wearers closed up the gap in their line, and the prince with his elephant and all his cavalry were slain. When the armies of Bahram Shah saw this manoeuvre and its bloody result, they broke and fled. 'Alau-d din pursued them from stage to stage until they reached a place called Josh-ab-garm (hot wells) near Takinabad. Here Bahrám Shah made a stand, but was again defeated. 'Alau-d din followed in hot pursuit, and Bahram Shah having drawn together some of his scattered forces, and some reinforcements from Ghazni, he a third time gave battle, and once more was routed.
20.6
The victor then entered Ghazni, and for seven nights and days he gave it to the flames. Writers record how that during these seven days the clouds of smoke so darkened the air that day seemed to be night, and the flames so lighted the sky at night that night looked like day. For these seven days plunder, devastation, and slaughter, were continuous. Every man that was found was slain, and all the women and children were made prisoners. Under the orders of the conqueror, all the Mahmudi kings, with the exception of Mahmud, Mas'úd, and Ibrahim, were dragged from their graves and burnt. All this time, 'Alau-d din sat in the palace of Ghazni occupied with drinking and debauchery. He had directed that the tomb of Saifu-d din Suri and of the King of the Jabbál should be sought out. Coffins were made for their bodies, and all the army was ordered to prepare for mourning. When the seven days were over, the city burnt and destroyed, and its inhabitants slain or scattered, on that very night, 'Alau-d din composed some verses in his own praise, which he gave to the minstrels to set to music and sing before him. (Verses.)
20.7
He then ordered that the remnant of the people of Ghazni should be spared. Breaking up his court, he went to the bath, and on the morning of the eighth day he led the nobles and followers of Ghor to the tombs of his brothers, where he put on garments of mourning, and with all his army he remained there seven days and nights, mourning, making offerings, and having the Kuran read. He then placed the coffins of his brothers in cradles, and marched with them towards Dawar and Bust; he destroyed all the palaces and edifices of the Mahmudi kings, which had no equals in the world, and devastated all the territory which had belonged to that dynasty. After that he returned to Ghor, and interred the remains of his brothers in the tombs of their ancestors. While at Ghazni he had given directions that several of the Saiyids of that town should be taken in retaliation of Saiyid Majdu-d din, wazir of Sultan Suri, who was hanged with him from the bridge of Ghazni. These captives were brought into his presence, and bags filled with the dirt of Ghazni were fastened round their necks. They were thus led to Firoz-koh, and there they were slain. Their blood was mixed with the earth they had carried from Ghazni, and with that mixture 'Alau-d din built some towers on the hills of Firoz-koh, which are standing to this day. May God forgive him! Having thus exacted vengeance, he devoted himself to pleasure and wine, and he composed some more verses for minstrels to sing in his praise.
20.8
When he ascended the throne of Firoz-koh he imprisoned his two nephews, Ghiyasu-d din Muhammad Sam and Mu'izzu-d din Muhammad Sam, sons of Sultan Bahau-d din Sam, in a fort of Wahiristan, and settled an allowance for their maintenance.