The Nāṣirī Generations 59.5

59.5

The remainder of the Saljuk tribe, who had remained behind in Mawar-un-Nahr, were in the habit every year of migrating from Nur of Bukhara to Darghan of Khwarazm to the pasture-lands therein. They entertained innate enmity towards the Malik [chief] of Jund, whose name was Shah; and, in the reign of Sultan Mas’ud, the Martyr, the Amir [Governor] of Khwarazm, the son of Altun-Tash, rebelled against the Sultan’s authority. The Saljuks joined him in that outbreak; and, in the year 425 H., he bestowed upon them a tract of country belonging to the territory of Khwarazm, which they call Rabat-i-Masah, as grazing ground for their flocks and herds. The chief of Jund, having received information as to their situation, made a raid upon them, and slew about eight thousand of the males, and but few of them remained, and they became totally at a loss as to what they should do in this state of affairs. The Governor of Khwarazm, Harun, the rebel, the son of Altun-Tash [with whom the Saljuks had sided, as before stated] had [lately] been killed, and they found it impossible to continue to dwell in the territory of Khwarazm; and, through fear of the sons of ’Ali Tigin, the late ruler of Bukhara, who was one of the Afrasiyabi Khans, or chieftains, they were unable to enter that territory. Out of necessity, therefore, they moved towards Nisa and Marw — in all about seven hundred horsemen — with their property, and their families and dependents.