[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate) › [Ṭabaqāt-i Nāṣirī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri) › [Tabakat-i-Nasiri](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty) › 23 # The Nāṣirī Generations 23: III. ISMA'IL, SON OF AHMAD, SAMANI. Tabakat-i-Nasiri 23 - **Language:** English ### [23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.23) On the death of Amir Nasr, the Khalifah, Al-Mu'tazid B’illah, conferred upon Amir Isma’il the government of the territory of Mawar-un-Nahr, and also all the territory which his brother, Nasr, had held, and sent him a commission and a standard. He became a great and powerful ruler, and the whole of those territories submitted to his sway; and all men, chiefs, and grandees, and the common people, became obedient to his authority. He was a just man, and endowed with wisdom; and many great deeds were performed by him, for when 'Umro, son of Lais, determined to make war upon Isma’il, and set out with a vast army to attack him — according to the author of the Tarikh of Ibn Haisam — on the day that ’Umro, son of Lais, set out to enter upon hostilities with Amir Isma’il, he had seventy thousand horsemen armed with spears under his standard, without counting archers, swordsmen, and other armed men besides. Amir Isma’il crossed the river Jihun, and encountered ’Umro, son of Lais, at Balkh; and the Almighty bestowed the victory upon Isma’il. The army of ’Umro was defeated and put to the rout, and ’Umro was himself taken prisoner. Isma’il sent his captive to the Lord of the Faithful, Al-Mu’tazid-B’illah, to dispose of as he might deem fit. The Khalifah bestowed a commission on Amir Ismail, with the investiture of the territory of Khurasan, together with the whole of ’Ajam ; and Amir Ismail's power and grandeur increased accordingly. Subsequently, the Lord of the Faithful, Al-Mu'tazid, despatched a commission to him, with directions to free the countries of Tabaristan and Gurgan from the sway of Amir Muhammad-i-Zaid-ul-'Alawi who had possessed himself of them. Amir Ismail appointed Ahmad-i-Harun to the command of the van of his army, and sent him on in advance with that portion of his forces ; and, between Amir Muhammad-i-Zaid-ul-'Alawi and Amir Ismail, very severe fighting took place, and the Amir Muhammad-i-Zaid was slain. His son, Zaid, also, was taken prisoner and brought before Amir Ismail, who sent him to Bukhara, with orders that, on the way thither, due respect should be paid to him, and that he should be provided with suitable accommodation ; and he treated him with such honour and attention as kindness and magnanimity could devise. At this time, the Khalifah Al-Mu’tazid B'illah died, and his son, Al-Muktafi B'illah, succeeded to the throne of the Khilafat. He despatched a commission and a standard to Amir Ismail, and conferred upon him the territories of 'Irak, Rai, and Safahan, and the provinces of Tabaristan, and Gurgan, the whole of which were incorporated with Khurasan. Amir Ismail gave the government of Rai to his nephew, named Abu Salih, son of Mansur, son of Is-hak, Samani, and to his own son, Ahmad by name, that of Gurgan. On the night of Tuesday, the 14th of the month Safar, in the year 295 H., he died, and his title became Amir-i-Mazi, or the Past or Late Amir. He had reigned for a period of eight years. - [Previous: 22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.22) - [Next: 24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.24) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.23) · Pramāṇa