The Nāṣirī Generations 160.3

160.3

The course of the days allotted to the extent of the dominion of the Sultans, Ghiyas-ud-Din and Mu’izz-ud-Din, having run their course, and Sultan Baha-ud-Din, Sam, having likewise died, Malik ’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz, proceeded from the court of Bamian to the presence of Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah, to solicit assistance to enable him to obtain possession of the dominion of Ghur and the throne of Firuz-koh. He was treated with great honour there, and received the most princely usage, and the Amirs of Khurasan, such as Ulugh Khan-i-’Abi-Muhammad, Malik Shams-ud-Din, Utsuz [the Hajib], and the Majd-ul-Mulk, Wazir of Marw, with the whole of the troops of Upper Khurasan were directed to afford assistance to Malik ’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz, in possessing himself of the territories of Ghur. Sultan Mahmud advanced out of Firuz-koh to meet them and overthrow their forces, as has been previously recorded; and they [the Khwarazmi nobles] retired, and again resumed their duties in the service of Sultan Muhammad, Khwarazm Shah. Matters continued in this wise until after the assassination of Sultan Mahmud, when Malik Khan of Hirat, the Amir-i-Hajib, and [Malik] ’Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz, from Bust, and the forces of Khurasan, advanced towards Firuz-koh; and they placed Ala-ud-Din, Utsuz, on the throne of Ghur, and Malik Khan of Hirat again retired.