The Nāṣirī Generations 39: IV. FANA KHUSRAU, SON OF AL-HASAN, SON OF BUWIAH, DILAMI.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 39
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IV. FANA KHUSRAU, SON OF AL-HASAN, SON OF BUWIAH, DILAMI.
39.1
The title borne by Fana Khusrau was ’Uzd-ud-Daulah, and he was a proud and haughty prince, but was, at the same time, endowed with great intellect and valour. The direction of the affairs of the country, and the different forces were left under his control; and the whole of the property and treasure of the dependencies of the Darul-Khilafat came into his possession. The reason of this was, that, when Bakhtyar set out for Ahwaz, to collect the revenue due to the Bait-ul-Mal, or Khalifah’s treasury, Sabuk-Tigin, the Chashni-gir [cup-bearer], who was his deputy at Baghdad, assembled the Turks together, and opposed the authority of Bakhtyar, drove out the Dilamis, broke out into open revolt, and began to act in an overbearing and tyrannical manner. They [the Turks and Sabuk-Tigin] commenced shedding the blood of Musalmans, and carrying off their females. ’Izz-ud-Daulah, Bakhtyar, sent to acquaint his uncle Abu-l-Hasan, son of Buwiah, who was ruler of Rai, with what had occurred; and to his first cousin, Fana Khusrau-i-Abu Shuja’, who held the government of Fars, he also gave information; and solicited assistance from both of them. A large army was assembled, and Fana Khusrau came to his aid with the troops of Fars; and Abu-l-Hasan, his uncle, despatched his forces to co-operate with them.
39.2
The combined troops marched towards Baghdad; and Sabuk-Tigin, with the Turks and other forces, moved out of Baghdad, and advanced to meet them. When Sabuk-Tigin and his adherents reached the village of ’Alfeul he was taken ill, and died after four days. The Turks were defeated; and they took along with them from Baghdad, the Lord of the Faithful, Ut-Ta-i’u-L’illah, and marched towards Nahrwan, in order again to encounter Fana Khusrau. They were defeated a second time, however, and retired towards Musil. Fana Khusrau entered Baghdad, and found with respect to the affairs of his cousin, Bakhtyar, that he was in the habit of passing his time in gaiety and pleasure, and that he was no longer fit for and capable of directing the affairs of government. He therefore seized Bakhtyar, and put him in durance. The latter sent a letter of complaint to his uncle, Abu-l-Hasan, son of Buwiah, the father of Fana Khusrau, ruler of Rai, saying: “Your son, Fana Khusrau, has seized me without cause or reason, and has imprisoned me.” The father of Fana Khusrau issued a mandate to his son, directing him to set Bakhtyar at liberty. This he did, and he [Fana Khusrau] returned to Fars; but, when his father died, Fana Khusrau proceeded to Baghdad, again seized Bakhtyar, and put him to death, after which he took possession of the territory of Baghdad, and the control of the affairs of the Khilafat.
39.3
He entered into a compact with the Samani Amirs for the mountain tracts, or Highlands of 'Irak, as far as Tabaristan, of which he received the tenure from them, at the rate of one thousand dinars per day. Fana Khusrau ruled with vigour and energy; and, as before stated, was excessively proud, but of great spirit and resolution. He had, however, great dread of death, so much so that not a soul dared to mention before his throne, in any way, the name of the Gor-i-Dashti, or Wild Ass, because Gor also signifies a grave; and it is stated that he commanded that all graveyards should be enclosed with lofty walls, so that his eyes might not behold a grave. Of his pride and grandeur the following is a specimen. After his decease, eight thousand napkins and handkerchiefs, of great price and fineness of fabric, befitting a king, were found, belonging to him, of brocade, linen, and Egyptian threaded and embroidered with gold, and ornamented with jewels, with which he was wont to wipe his mouth and nose, and which fetched the price of 50,000 dinars of gold.
39.4
When his end drew near, he affixed his seal to mandates and decrees, which he gave into the hands of his secretary, directing him to fill them up according to the best of his own ability and judgment, and to issue, and carry them into execution, and not to let people know of his death. For a period of four months his decease was kept concealed, and they continued to place his corpse upon the throne, so that people, from a distance, could see him, as they supposed, as usual. When his end drew near, he directed that ashes should be spread upon the floor, in which he rolled about, exclaiming, “What advantageth all my wealth and my sovereignty, since death has overcome me!” until he ceased to be. His death took place in the month of Ramazan, in the year 372 H. The Almighty alone is eternal.