The Nāṣirī Generations 169: I. SULTAN SAIF-UD-DIN, SURI, SON OF ’IZZ-UD-DIN, AL-HUSAIN.

Tabakat-i-Nasiri 169

Language: English

I. SULTAN SAIF-UD-DIN, SURI, SON OF ’IZZ-UD-DIN, AL-HUSAIN.

169.1

Sultan Saif-ud-Din, Suri, was a great monarch, and was greatly endowed with valour, vigour, clemency, decision, justice, beneficence, a graceful presence, and kingly grandeur. He was the first person of this race to whom they accorded the title of Sultan. When the news of the misfortune which had befallen his elder brother, the Malik-ul-Jibal, was brought to his hearing, he set about taking revenge upon Sultan Bahram Shah, and caused a numerous army to be got in readiness from the different tracts of Ghur, and set out towards Ghaznin, overthrew Bahram Shah, and took Ghaznin. Bahram Shah fled from before him, and retired towards Hind, and Saif-ud-Din, Suri, ascended the throne of Ghaznin, and made over the dominions of Ghur to his brother, Baha-ud-Din, Sam, the father of [the Sultans] Ghiyas-ud-Din, and Mu’izz-ud-Din. Having brought Ghaznin under his sway, the whole of the Amirs and soldiery, the notables and great men of Ghaznin and of the adjacent parts submitted to him; and he bestowed upon those classes ample gifts and favours, so much so, that the soldiery and Amirs of Bahram Shah became overwhelmed in the benefits he bestowed upon them.

169.2

When the winter season came round, he commanded that the forces of Ghur should have permission granted them to return to their own country, and entertained the followers, soldiery, and petty officials of Bahram Shah in his own service, and placed confidence in them. The Sultan and his Wazir, Sayyid Majd-ud-Din, Musawi, along with a small number of persons from among his old retainers, were all that remained with him, and the rest [both] at the court, and [stationed] in the Ghaznin territory, were all the soldiery of Ghaznin.

169.3

When storms of snow and excessive cold set in, and the roads and passes of Ghur became closed from the excessive snow, and the people of Ghaznin became aware that it was impossible that troops or succour could reach Ghaznin from the side of Ghur, they despatched letters, secretly, to the presence of Bahram Shah, saying, “throughout the entire city and parts around, only a small number of persons have remained with Sultan Suri of the forces of Ghur, the whole of the remainder are the servants of the Mahmudi dynasty. It behoveth [the Sultan] not to let the opportunity slip through his hands, and he should repair to Ghaznin with all possible haste.” In accordance with those letters and solicitations, Bahram Shah, from the side of Hindustan, advanced unexpectedly and reached Ghaznin, and made a night attack upon Sultan Suri. He came out of Ghaznin with his own particular followers who were from Ghur, and along with his Wazir, Sayyid Majd-ud-Din, Musawi, took the road to Ghur.

169.4

Bahram Shah's horsemen set out in pursuit of him, until they discovered him in the precincts of Sang-i-Surakh [the Perforated Rock or Stone]. Sultan Suri, with the few followers that were along with him, joined battle with Bahram Shah's cavalry, and fought and opposed them as long as it was possible so to do; and, when compelled to fight on foot, they took shelter on the hill [side]. It was impossible to surround the Sultan, his Wazir, and his own followers, whilst an arrow remained in their quivers. When not an arrow remained in their quivers, Bahram Shah's troops, by [entering into] stipulation, and pledging the right hand, seized them, and secured them When they reached the gate [one of the gates?] of the city [of Ghaznin], two camels were brought, and Sultan Suri was seated upon one, and his Wazir, Sayyid Majd-ud-Din, Musawi, was placed on the other, and they were both publicly exposed about the streets of Ghaznin. and, from the house-tops, dust, ashes, and excrement were launched seizing him into execution. The Ghoory Prince advanced, but was instantly surrounded by the troops of Ghizny, and taken prisoner, while Beiram in person put the forces of Ghoor to flight. The unhappy captive had his blackened, and was seated astride on a bullock, with his face towards the tail, . . . When this news reached the ears of his brother Alla-ood-Deen, he burnt with fury, and, having determined to take revenge, invaded Ghizny.” — Vol. i. pages 151-2.

169.5

But what says Firishtah?— “In the latter part of his [Bahram’s] sovereignty, Kutb-ud-Din, Muhammad, Ghuri, Suri [this is incorrect: he was not named Suri, Saif-ud-Din was so named. I also beg to remark that this is the name of a man, not of a race or tribe], who was his son-in-law, was put to death at Ghaznin by command of Bahram Shah. Saif-ud-Din, Suri, in order to avenge his brother’s blood, set out towards Ghaznin. . . . Saif-ud-Din, having entered Ghaznin and become possessed of it, and, placing faith in the Ghaznawis, was there located. He sent back his brother, ’Ala-ud-Din, along with the whole of the old Amirs, to Ghur; and, notwithstanding that Saif-ud-Din, Suri, used to treat the people of Ghaznin with lenience, and that the Ghurians did not dare to oppress them, the Ghaznawis wished for Bahram Shah; and, although they used, outwardly, to show amity towards Saif-ud-Din, Suri, secretly, they used to carry on a correspondence with Bahram Shah, until the winter set in, and the roads into Ghur were closed by snow, and people were unable to pass to and fro. At this time Bahram Shah unexpectedly reached Ghaznin with a large army of Afghans [he does not say they were Suris or Ghuris], Khalj, and other dwellers in the wilds.

169.6

At this time when not more than ten leagues intervened between them, Saif-ud-Din, Suri, having received information of it, held consultation with the Ghaznawis — who had been talking of their friendship and attachment — as to fighting, or retreating towards Ghur. They, making hypocrisy their garment, did not give him just counsel, and excited and stimulated him to fight. Saif-ud-Din, Suri, placing faith in the counsel given by them, issued from the city with a body of the men of Ghaznin, and a few of the men of Ghur, and marshalled his ranks opposite [those of] Bahram Shah. As yet the preparations for battle were not completed, when the Ghaznawis seized Saif-ud-Din, Suri, and, in high spirits, delivered him over to Bahram Shah. He commanded that the face of Saif-ud-Din, Suri, should be blackened; and, having placed him on an emaciated and weak bullock, which put one foot before the other with a hundred thousand shakings, they paraded him throughout the whole city. [There is not a word about with his face to the tail — which is an Indian bazar term.] . . . When this terror-striking news came to the hearing of ’Ala-ud-Din, the fervour of his nature burst out, and, with the determination of avenging his brother, with a furious and relentless army, he set out towards Ghaznin.” This is a literal translation of Firishtah’s words.

169.7

Then follow, in the two translations, things respecting ’Ala-ud-Din and his ears of his brother Alla, he burnt with rage, and, resolving upon revenge, with all his united powers, invaded Ghizny.” — Vol. i. pages 124-5. upon their sacred heads until they reached the head of the Pul-i-Yak Tak [the One-arch Bridge] of the city. When they reached that place, Sultan Suri, and his Wazir, Sayyid Majd-ud-Din, Musawi, were gibbeted, and they were both hung from the bridge. Such was the cruelty and ignominy with which they treated that handsome, just, intrepid, and laudable monarch. The Almighty bestowed victory upon Sultan 'Ala-ud-Din, Husain, Jahan-soz, the brother of Sultan Suri, so that he took revenge for this barbarous deed and this dishonour, as has been previously recorded.