The Nāṣirī Generations 158: XIX. SULTAN GHIYAS-UD-DIN, MAHMUD, SON OF GHIYAS-UD-DIN, MUHAMMAD, SON OF BAHA-UD-DIN, SAM, SHANSABI.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 158
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XIX. SULTAN GHIYAS-UD-DIN, MAHMUD, SON OF GHIYAS-UD-DIN, MUHAMMAD, SON OF BAHA-UD-DIN, SAM, SHANSABI.
158.1
Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, son of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Sam, was a sovereign of good qualities, and conviviality, pleasure, and jollity were dominant in his disposition. When Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Sam, his father, died, Mahmud was desirous that his uncle, the Sultan-i-Ghazi, Mu’izz-ud-Din, should assign to him the throne of his father. But that expectation was not fulfilled, and the throne of Firuz-koh was conferred upon Malik ’Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, the Pearl of Ghur, to whom the daughter of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Sam, was betrothed; and the territory of Bust, Isfizar, and Farah, were given to Sultan Mahmud. In the year in which [his uncle] the Sultan-i-Ghazi led an army into Khwarazm, Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, marched the troops of Bust, Farah, and Isfizar, into Khurasan, and proceeded to the gate of Marw-i-Shah-i-Jahan; and in that expedition he manifested many marks of skill and activity. When the Sultan-i-Ghazi, Mu’izz-ud-Din, was assassinated, Mahmud determined to proceed from Bust to Firuz-koh, and, when he reached Zamin-i-Dawar, the Khalj Amirs of Garmsir, with a numerous following, joined him. The Amirs and Maliks of Ghur all came forth to receive him; and, in the year 602 H., he reached Firuz-koh, and the throne of Ghur came into his possession, and he brought the territories of his father under his jurisdiction.
158.2
Malik ’Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, retired from Firuz-koh into Gharjistan, and therein he was taken prisoner, and was confined in the castle of Ashiyar, as has been previously recorded ; and when the whole of the various parts of the dominions of Ghur, and Gharjistan, Ta-kan, and Guzarwan, and the district of Faras, and Garmsir, came under the sway and jurisdiction of his Slaves, such as Sultan Taj-ud-Din, Yal-duz, and Sultan Kutb-ud-Din, I-bak, and other Turk Maliks and Amirs, who were Slaves of Sultan Mu’izz-ud-Din, each of them despatched a person of rank to the presence of his Court, and solicited from Sultan Mahmud letters of manumission, and the investitures of the territories of Ghaznin and of Hindustan respectively. He despatched a deed of investiture of the territory of Ghaznin and a canopy of state to Sultan Taj-ud-Din, Yal-duz ; and, when Sultan Kutb-ud-Din, I-bak, advanced to Ghaznin, he despatched Nizam-ud-Din, Muhammad, to Firuz-koh, in the year 605 H. ; and Sultan Mahmud directed that a scarlet canopy of state and a deed of investiture of the government of the dominion of Hindustan should be sent to him. Throughout the whole of the territories of Ghur, Ghaznin, and Hindustan, the Khutbah was read for Sultan Mahmud, and the coin was stamped with his name ; and, as he was the heir of the kingdom of his father and his uncle, all the Maliks and Sultans paid reverence to his dignity, and showed the obedience of vassals unto him.
158.3
When one year of his sovereignty had passed, Malik Rukn-ud-Din, Mahmud-i-Iran Shah, son of Malik ’Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, advanced from Ghaznin towards Firuz-koh, as has been previously recorded, and Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, marched from Firuz-koh, and put him to the rout, and about 5000 Ghuris [in that affair] bit the dust. After a period of two years and a half, Sultan ’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz, son of [’Ala-ud-Din] Husain, who was his [Mahmud’s] father’s uncle’s son, proceeded from the country of Bamian into Khwarazm, and sought assistance from Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah, to enable him to seize the dominions of Ghur. The Malik-ul-Jibal, Ulugh Khan-i-Abi-Muhammad, and Malik Shams-ud-Din, Utsuz, the Hajib, who were two of the greatest of the Turkish Maliks of the Khwarazm Shahs, with the troops of Marw and Balkh, Sarakhs and Rudbar, were nominated to give him assistance, and he [’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz] proceeded by way of Tal-kan towards Ghur. Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, brought out his forces from Firuz-koh, and on the limits of Maimand and Far-yab, at a place which they call [by the name of] Salurah, a battle took place between the two armies. The Almighty bestowed the victory upon Sultan Mahmud, and ’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz, and the Khwarazm Shahi Maliks, and the troops of Khurasan were overthrown.
158.4
When four years of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud’s reign had expired, Malik ’Ala-ud-Din, ’Ali Shah, son of Sultan Takish, Khwarazm Shah, sought refuge from his brother’s [Sultan ’Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah] presence with Sultan Mahmud. On the Khwarazmi Sultan becoming aware of this, he despatched distinguished personages [as envoys] to Firuz-koh. During the lifetime of the Sultan-i-Ghazi, Mu’izz-ud-Din, Muhammad, a firm compact existed between Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, son of [Ghiyas-ud-Din], Muhammad-i-Sam, and Muhammad-i-Takish, Khwarazm Shah, that friendship and concord should exist between them, and that the grow disaffected; and 'Izz-ud-Din, Husain, son of Khar-mil, the Wali of Hirat, who was the greatest prop of the Ghurian empire, took precedence of all the other chiefs in tendering allegiance to the Sultan of Khwarazm, and despatched agents repeatedly soliciting that the Sultan would annex Hirat. Although that monarch had other important matters to attend to, still, fearing lest a portion of the Ghurian dominions, such as Balkh and districts around, might offer allegiance to the ruler of Kara-Khita, and that that city might fall into his hands, he determined to move towards Balkh.
158.5
"The Wali of that part, styled 'Imad-ud-Din, the chief of the Bamian Amirs [called by our author, at page 260, 'Imad-ud-Din, 'Umr, Fiwari], at first was most warm in his professions of loyalty and fidelity, and Balkh was made over to the Sultan, who continued the government, as heretofore, in the Wali's hands; but, being afterwards detected in acts of treachery, and an intercepted letter having been placed in his hands, he threw himself at the Sultan's feet. His life was spared, but he was sent away to Khwarazm, after being allowed to take what treasure and other valuables he desired with him. His son [name not given] was also removed from the charge of the fortress of Tirmid, and that important post was made over to the guardianship of Sultan 'Usman of Samrkand."
158.6
The Tarikh-i-Alfi differs considerably on these matters. It is stated therein, that, on the death of Sultan Mu'izz-ud-Din becoming known to Sultan Muhammad, he assembled a large army for the purpose of attacking Balkh, then held by the officers and troops of Malik 'Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, son of the late Sultan Baha-ud-Din, Sam, of Bamian and Tukharistan, and invested that stronghold. At this crisis, Malik 'Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, had led an army against Taj-ud-Din, I-yal-duz, ruler of Ghaznin. On this account Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, who had intended to march his forces against Hirat, to reduce 'Izz-ud-Din, Husain, son of Khar-mil, to obedience, paused in order to see what the upshot of the other two affairs would be.
158.7
Taj-ud-Din, 'Ali Shah [Sultan Muhammad's brother, who subsequently took refuge with Mahmud], who commanded the forces investing Balkh, being unable to take it, Sultan Muhammad proceeded thither in person, and summoned the governor to submit. All was of no avail, and the Sultan determined to proceed without further loss of time to Hirat, when news reached him that Malik 'Ala-ud-Din, Muhammad, and his brother, Jalal-ud-Din, 'Ali, had been defeated by Taj-ud-Din, I-yal-duz, taken prisoners, and thrown into confinement. This happened, according to Fasih-i, in 605 H. On this, 'Imad-ud-Din ['Umr], Governor of Balkh, hopeless of succour, surrendered the place. He was treated with honour and kindness, and continued in charge of Balkh, as before. After this, Sultan Muhammad advanced to Bakhurz, got possession of that place, then proceeded to Tirmid, and obtained possession of that stronghold likewise, and then he returned to Khwarazm. This latter statement is incorrect. The Sultan proceeded to Hirat before returning to Khwarazm, as will be presently stated.
158.8
The Ghurian Amirs and Chiefs, who were in accord with Amir Mahmud, were preparing forces, says Yafa-i, to attack Sultan Muhammad's forces then enemy of one should be the enemy of the other; and, on this occasion, Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah, sent Mahmud a copy of that treaty, with a request, saying, As ’Ali Shah is the enemy of my dominion, it is necessary that he should be seized.” In compliance with the terms of that compact, Sultan Mahmud seized ’Ali Shah, and imprisoned him in the Kasr, which they call the Baz-Kushk-i-Sultan, at Firuz-koh.
158.9
That Kasr is an edifice the like of which is not to be found in any country or in any capital — a Kasr in height and area, and with buttresses, balconies, and turrets, and of such configuration as no geometrician hath made manifest. Over that kasr are placed five pinnacles inlaid with gold, each of them three ells and a little over in height, and in breadth two ells; and also two gold humae, each of about the size of a large camel. Those golden pinnacles and those humae, the Sultan-i-Ghazi, Mu'izz-ud-Din, Muhammad, after the capture of Ajmir, had sent in token of service, and as valuable presents, to [his brother] Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Sam, with many other articles of rarity, such as a ring of gold, with a chain of gold attached, the dimension of which was five ells by five ells, and two great kos [kettle-drums] of gold, which were carried on carriages. Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din directed that the ring and chain, and those kharbuzah [kettle-drums], should be suspended before the portico of the Jami' Masjid at Firuz-koh; and, when the Jami’ Masjid was destroyed by a flood, the ring, chain, and those kharbuzah [kettle-drums], the Sultan sent to the city of Hirat, so that after the Jami' Masjid of that city had been destroyed by fire, they rebuilt it by means of those gifts.
158.10
Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din, Mahmud, son of [Ghiyas-ud-Din], Muhammad-i-Sam, was a sovereign very great, beneficent, humane, munificent, and just. When he ascended the throne he opened the door of the treasury of his father. That treasury remained untouched as before, and Sultan Mu'izz-ud-Din had not appropriated any portion of it; and they have related, that of pure gold there were four hundred camel loads, which are eight hundred chests—but God knows best—and rich garments, vessels, pearls, and jewels in proportion, together with other valuable property of every description, the whole of which he disposed of. During his reign gold, apparel, perfumed leather, and other things, through his munificence and his presents, became very cheap. He also purchased a number of Turkish slaves, and greatly valued them all, and raised them to competence and wealth; and his presents, gifts, and donations were constantly reaching people, until one day, during the second year of his sovereignty, the son of his aunt, the sister's son of the Sultans [Ghiyas-ud-Din, Muhammad, and Mu'izz-ud-Din, Muhammad], Malik Taj-ud-Din, died and no heir survived him, and his effects and treasures, consisting of ready money, gold and silver vessels, a vast quantity of wealth, were brought to the presence of Sultan Mahmud. He commanded that a banquet and festal entertainment should be arranged beneath [the walls] of the Kushk, which is situated in the middle of [the city of] Firuz-koh.
158.11
He spread the carpet of pleasure, and directed that festivity and gaiety should be the order of the day; and, from the time of meridian prayer to the period of evening prayer, the whole of that money, consisting of darhams and dinars, contained in leathern bags and in scrips, was poured out of the windows of the Kasr. As it was a public banquet and a largess to both high and low, great and small, every description of the different classes of the people of the city of Firuz-koh were arriving in crowds at the foot of the Kushk, and kept themselves under the Sultan’s observation. To each class of persons he was giving a liberal share of dishes, long-necked flasks, lamps, ewers, cups, platters, bowls, goblets, and other vessels of different descriptions, all of gold and of silver, and, among other presents, above a thousand slaves of his own, both male and female, which he repurchased again from their [new] owners. The whole city, from those largesses, became [so to speak] filled with gold.
158.12
Sultan Mahmud was a sovereign of very great good qualities, and his alms, donations, and honorary robes, to a large amount, were received by all classes of the people; but, as the decree of fate had [now] come, the motives of its advent began to appear. Having, at the request of Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah, seized the latter’s brother, ’Ali Shah, and imprisoned him, ’Ali Shah’s servants, followers, and dependents, consisting of ’Irakis, Khurasanis, Khwarazmis, and Turks, in great numbers, together with his mother, his son, and his women, along with him, the whole of them agreed together with one accord, and several times, by means of each of the most notable among them, sent messages, secretly, to Sultan Mahmud, saying: “The reliance we have in the Sultan is, that as we have all come and sought refuge with his Highness, in the service of our master, ’Ali Shah, and have thrown ourselves under the shadow of the Sultan’s power and protection, it behoveth he should not deliver us up into the hands of the enemy, for to seize and make captive of those who have sought one’s protection will not turn out fortunate, otherwise we will make sacrifice of ourselves, and let it not be that the Sultan should be in dread of his life from us.”
158.13
As the decree of destiny had gone forth, this communication, which they continued to represent to the Sultan, was without any effect whatever, and a party of ’Ali Shah’s dependents used, at night, to ascend to the summit of the hill, called Koh-i-Azad, which was facing the Kasr, and the sleeping apartment of Sultan Mahmud, and there they sat concealed, and examined the Kasr and noticed the Sultan’s sleeping apartment, and marked the way to the place. All this they had done, until on the night of Tuesday, the 7th of the month of Safar, in the year 607 H., four individuals of the party referred to climbed up on the roof of the Sultan’s Kasr, and assassinated him, and got away again by the same road as they had got up. They then crossed the river of Firuz-koh, which flows in front of the Kasr, and also climbed to the top of that high hill [the Koh-i-Azad], and cried out with a loud voice: "O foes of our Malik! we have killed the Sultan: arise, and search for your Malik!" When the day broke, the whole city became agitated; and they buried the Sultan in the itself, and subsequently the body was removed to Hirat, and finally interred in the Gazar-gah [catacombs] of Hirat. The eldest son of the Sultan, namely Baha-ud-Din, Sam, was raised to the throne.