The Nāṣirī Generations 124.6

124.6

Matters went on in this manner, until, at the expiration of six months, an engagement took place, and Sultan Shah had not the power to resist his opponents, for the troops of Ghaznin crossed the river Murgh-ab and attacked the army of Sultan Shah, who, unable to repel them, or make a stand before them, was defeated; and, perplexed and distracted, he retired towards Marw again. Malik Baha-ud-Din, Tughril, of Hirat, who was with Sultan Shah's army, fell into the hands of the troops of Bamian; and they brought his head to the presence of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, and he commanded them to take it to Hirat. Sultan Shams-ud-Din of Bamian [likewise], on that day, was assigned a chatr [canopy]; and he was honoured with the title of Sultan. When they brought the head of Tughril to Hirat, a Poet repeated these lines:— “The head of Tughril, which he carried higher than the altitude of the heavens, And which possessed the jewel and diadem of haughtiness and pride, Without a body, hath to Hari, a spectacle come, For this reason, that he had an inclination for Hari in his head.” Sultan Shah, having been thus defeated, and his army routed and dispersed, retired to Marw; and this affair and this victory took place in the year 588 H.