The Nāṣirī Generations 145: X. MALIK-UL-JIBAL, KUTB-UD-DIN, MUHAMMAD, SON OF ['IZZ-UD-DIN] AL-HUSAIN.

145

Of the seven sons of Malik 'Izz-ud-Din, Husain, the eldest among them all was Malik Fakhr-ud-Din, Mas'ud of Bamian, mention of whom will be made in the other chapter [referred to previously], the foundation of the dynasty of the Sultans of Bamian dating from the rise of his power. His mother was a Turki handmaid; and after him, in succession [in age], came the Malik-ul-Jibal [the Lord of the Mountains], Kutb-ud-Din, Muhammad. His mother was a woman who was of no high descent, and was the Hajibah [Chamberlain] and attendant of the mother of the other sons, the Sultans, namely, Sultan Suri; Sultan Baha-ud-Din, Sam; Sultan ’Ala-ud-Din, Husain; Amir [Shihab-ud-Din] Muhammad; and Amir [Shuja’-ud-Din] ’Ali, the other sons of Malik ’Izz-ud-Din, Al-Husain.
When Malik ’Izz-ud-Din, Husain, who was the father of the Sultans, departed this life, Sultan [Saif-ud-Din] Suri, in succession to his father, ascended the throne and divided his father’s dominions among his brothers. An account of Sultan Suri will, please God, be given in the chapter on the Sultans of Ghaznin.
In this division, the territory of Warshadah was assigned to the Malik-ul-Jibal, Kutb-ud-Din, Muhammad, and there he fixed his seat of government. Subsequently, it so happened, that he had to seek for a [suitable] place in which to found a strong fortress and a handsome city, such as would be suitable to his dignity. He despatched persons on whom he could depend into the parts adjacent, until [at length] his opinion led him to fix upon the position of Firuz-koh, and he founded the fortress and city of Firuz-koh.
Sultan Suri made the fortress and town of Istiah his capital, and to Malik Nasir-ud-Din, Muhammad, Madin was given. Baha-ud-Din, Sam, had the district of Sangah, which was the capital of Mandesh, assigned to him ; and the district and castle of Wajiristān were made over to Sultan 'Ala-ud-Din ; and the probability is that the territory of Kasi [or Kasha] was fixed upon for Malik Fakhr-ud-Din.
By heaven’s decree, however, contention arose between the Malik-ul-Jibal [Kutb-ud-Din, Muhammad], who was at Firuz-koh, and the other brothers ; and the Malik-ul-Jibal became indignant with his brothers, and withdrew to Ghaznin ; and it was [at this time] the reign of Bahram Shah. This Malik-ul-Jibal was endowed with great beauty and comeliness, and urbanity to perfection. When he reached Ghaznin he opened the hand of munificence and liberality ; and affection for him, according to the saying, “ Man is the servant of kindliness,” began to take root in people’s hearts, and became firmly established. The inhabitants of Ghaznin entertained a great liking for him, but a number of envious persons set upon him, and had it represented to Bahram Shah that he [the Malik-ul-Jibal] was, with treacherous eyes, regarding that sovereign’s haram [some female or females of his family], and was expending his property liberally, with the object of rising against him [Bahram Shah]. The latter issued commands to administer to him, secretly, poisoned sharbat [which was done], and he died; and they, moreover, buried him at Ghaznin. On this account, enmity and hatred arose between the Mahmudi family and the family of Shansabi, and the race of Zuhak.
When the account of what had befallen Kutb-ud-Din reached Sultan Suri’s hearing, he marched an army to Ghaznin and took that country, as will be hereafter recorded, since, although this was the place for mentioning and recording the proceedings of Sultan Suri, still, as Sultan Suri was the first person of this family who assumed the name of Sultan, and the first to ascend the throne of Ghaznin, an account of him will, please God, be given in another chapter, at the beginning of the history of the Sultans of Ghaznin.