The Nāṣirī Generations 100: VI. MALIK-UL-GHAZI, YAMIN-UD-DAULAH WA UD-DIN BAHRAM SHAH, SON OF TAJ-UD-DIN-I-HARAB.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 100
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VI. MALIK-UL-GHAZI, YAMIN-UD-DAULAH WA UD-DIN BAHRAM SHAH, SON OF TAJ-UD-DIN-I-HARAB.
100.1
Yamin-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, was a firm and stern ruler, very severe but strictly just; and he continued to observe the rule established by his ancestors, of treating learned men and strangers and travellers with respect and reverence. During the lifetime of Malik Taj-ud-Din, his father, he became greatly distinguished, and was famous for his valour, sagacity, activity, and magnanimity. He ruled over the territory of Nimroz for a considerable time during the lifetime of his father; and, when his father died, the sovereignty passed to him. Both Bahram himself and two other brothers were borne by a Turkish slave-girl; and, previous to his time, all the sovereigns and nobles, according to ancient custom, allowed their hair to hang loosely, and used to wear conical caps on their heads, with two or three fillets wound round them, with a black fillet over the others; but, when Malik Yamin-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, came to the throne, his mother being of the Turkish race, he assumed the cap of sable, and camlet garments, and curling ringlets like the Turks; and both his brothers, one, Malik Shihab-ud-Din, 'Ali, and the other, Malik Shah, likewise adopted similar costume.
100.2
The author of this work, in the year 613 H., set out from the city of Bust for the purpose of proceeding to Sistan. When he arrived within a short distance of that capital, where there is a place which they call by the name of Gumbaz-i-Baluch — the Cupola of the Baluch — on the east side [of Sistan], at this place, a deputation received him, and brought him to the city; and there, at a place which is named the Madrasah-i-sar-i-Hawz — the College at the head of the Reservoir — to the south of the city, which they call Dar-i-Ta'am and Bazar-i-Farod, he alighted and took up his quarters. The author delivered a discourse in the private audience hall of that dignified sovereign, within the Sarae-i-Siasati; and, upon two occasions, he was honoured with robes of distinction from that beneficent monarch, consisting, each time, of three dresses; and, as long as the author remained at Sistan, every month, Malik Yamin-ud-Din sent him a liberal allowance in money and grain, and treated him with the utmost kindness and respect. After sojourning there for a period of seven months, the author returned again to Khurasan.
100.3
Malik Yamin-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, ruled with great firmness and sagacity. It had been a practice of old, in the territory of Nimroz, among the tribes [therein], to be constantly quarrelling and fighting among themselves; and no person entered a city or town without being fully armed. When the sovereignty devolved upon Bahram Shah, he made every tribe give hostages, and kept them shut up in different fortresses, so that, in whatever tribe blood might be shed unjustly, the chiefs and head men of the tribe were held responsible for the crime. Through this stringent order such acts of bloodshed decreased.
100.4
Yamin-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, on two occasions waged holy war against the heretics of Kuhistan, and carried on hostilities against them for a long time. Imam Sharaf-ud-Din, Ahmad of Farah, who was the most eloquent man of his time, composed these lines on those successes, and in praise of them: — August and auspicious unto the world’s people Is the revered countenance of the Shah of exalted descent. At this warfare, which thou didst in Kuhistan wage, The globe is with justice, with equity, and requital, full. Thou art the king of mid-day and of thy day’s reign ’Tis as yet but the propitious early dawn thereof. Like as the warriors of Muhammad exult in thee. In such wise the soul of Muhammad in thee rejoiceth. Continue in the world whilst the world hath freshness From water and from fire, from earth and from air. From the remembrance of the great king will not be obliterated The encomiums of the Farah-i, if aught of memory remain.” After Yamin-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, had reigned for a considerable time, the calamities attending the irruption of the infidel Mughals arose, and Khurasan became desolated by them, and the kingdoms of Islam fell.
100.5
There is a fortress on the confines of Neh, in the territory of Nimroz, which they call the castle of Shahanshah! ; and the nephew of Bahram Shah, the son of Nasir-ud-Din, ’Usman, had sold the fortress of Shahanshah! to the heretics of Kuhistan, and it was in their possession. Yamin-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, at this time, despatched an agent to demand the restoration of that fortress, and further, to intimate that, in case any difficulty should arise, a force would be speedily brought against it. On this account, disciples were nominated by the heretics of Kuhistan to remove him ; and, in the year 618 H., on a Friday, when proceeding on his way to the mosque to perform his devotions, in the middle of the bazar, four fida-is, or disciples, surrounded him and martyred him.