The Nāṣirī Generations 159.4

159.4

Malik Khan, with the forces of Khurasan, set out accordingly to assist Sultan ’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz-i-Husain, in possessing himself of Firuz-koh. When they arrived in the vicinity of Firuz-koh, the Maliks and Amirs of Ghur took counsel together, and came to the conclusion that it was advisable to release Malik ’Ali Shah from confinement ment, and treat him with great honour and reverence, so that, on his account, some of the Khurasani forces might evince an inclination towards that Prince, and, as he was also the adversary of his brother [Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah], he might, in concert with this sovereignty, oppose in battle the forces of Khurasan. Malik ’Ali Shah they accordingly set at liberty, and they appointed Amirs to the [defence of] different sides around the city.