The Nāṣirī Generations 17: I. YA’KUB, SON OF LAIS, SUFFARI.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 17
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I. YA’KUB, SON OF LAIS, SUFFARI.
17.1
The author of these pages, in the year 613 H., arrived in Sijistan, during the rule of the Malik of Nimroz, Shah-i-Ghazi, Yamin-ud-din, Bahram Shah, son of Malik-i-Kabir, Taj-ud-din, Harab, son of ’Izz-ul-Muluk, Muhammad. There I noticed a place, on the south of the city of Sijistan, which they call by the name of Dar-i-Ta’am, outside the city, at a spot called Reg-i-Gunjan. In the vicinity of this latter place, on a height or rising ground, there is a palace in ruins; and a number of trustworthy persons informed me, that Ya’kub, son of Lais, and his brothers, with their dependents and servants, were in the habit of coming thither one day in each week, as is the custom among young men, to divert themselves by sports and fun. They used on these occasions to choose an Amir, or king of the sports, and a Wazir, or minister. One day, according to their usual custom, they had come to the wonted place of meeting, and Ya’kub had been chosen Amir for the day’s sports; and, to each and every one of his brothers, his kinsmen, and dependents, he had assigned the name of some one of the nobles and grandees of the country. Unexpectedly, the deputy of the Amir of Sijistan, Salih, son of Nasr, himself, on his return home from the chase, arrived at this place, attended by his usual small suite. Perceiving this assemblage of people collected on the mound in question, he directed one of his attendants to go and make inquiry who they were.
17.2
When the man sent reached the party, and noticed what was going on, he was much astonished; and, a bevy of youths having come forward to receive him, the messenger was forced to dismount from his horse, because it was necessary to present himself before the Amir of the sports on foot. The servant of Salih, accordingly, was under the necessity of complying; and he made his obeisance, and returned, and related to his master, Salih, son of Nasr, what had passed and what he had seen. Salih, whose disposition was inclined to pleasantry, said, “We will go and see what this party of youths are about,” and rode up and came to the spot where they were. Ya’kub-i-Lais never moved from his seat, and he directed, that Amir Salih should be brought forward to pay his obeisance. The youths, as commanded, advanced to meet him, and they made Salih dismount from his horse, and compelled him to make his obeisance to Ya’kub. As the day of his fortune and the period of his age had reached the evening of their termination, and the morning of the prosperity of the Suffariun had dawned, Ya’kub made a sign to the effect that it was necessary to put an end to Amir Salih’s career, and forthwith they put him to death. Ya’kub, without delay, mounted a horse, and the party with him armed themselves, and, with the utmost expedition, they set out for the city, and proceeded to the palace of the ruler, and there Ya’kub took up his quarters.
17.3
This event took place at the time of early forenoon, and by the time of meridian prayer the territory of Sijistan was in the hands of Ya’kub-i-Lais, and all the people submitted to his rule, like as if the Almighty God had pre-ordained that he should follow his own way. Ya’kub directed that the Khutbah should be read for him; and these events, and this success, took place in the year 251 H. After this, Ya’kub led an army towards Bust and Zawulistan, and the territory of Dawar [Zamin-i-Dawar] and Ghaznin, and subdued the whole of them. From thence he advanced into Tukharistan and Balkh, and subdued them; and then returned and marched towards Kabul. This success took place in 256 H., and, subsequently, he returned to Sijistan, and afterwards advanced to Hirat, which, after much fighting, he gained possession of. After this he took Badghais, Bushanj [or Fushanj], Jam, and Bakhurz, and returned to Sijistan again.
17.4
After a short time Ya’kub again put his forces in motion, and marched against Nishapur, which he gained possession of without opposition in 259 H., and seized upon Muhammad-i-Tahir, son of Husain, together with his treasures, and his dependents, and followers. He then marched towards Gurgan and Tabaristan, and, after having extorted tribute, again retired. He made his brother, U’mro-i-Lais, Wali [governor] of Hirat: and, in 261 H., a person — one of the Amirs of Muhammad-i-Tahir — revolted, and set Muhammad-i-Tahir at liberty who retired to the Court of the Khalifah, Al-Wasik B’illah. Ya’kub-i-Lais again marched an army into 'Irak, and, on his return from thence, he reached a place which was called Khandah-i-Shapur and there he departed this life, in the year 265 H., of colic, after a reign of fourteen years.