The Nāṣirī Generations 61.3

61.3

The Saljuks having acquired Sarakhs and Marw, and being left in undisturbed possession of the whole of those districts, Da'ud determined to attack Upper Khurasan. Manifesting the utmost daring and boldness on that occasion, he again assembled together a force of 11,000 horse, and pushed on to the gates of Balkh, where the Sultan was at the time, with all his great nobles and his forces. An elephant was tied up in a place in the outskirts of the city, and an elephant-driver had fallen asleep upon the animal's back. Da’ud came during the night, unfastened the elephant, and drove it off, and, by the time the driver had awakened from his slumbers, the elephant had been taken away some five leagues, and the driver dared not utter a word. Da'ud [then] advanced with his forces from Shafurkan to 'Ali-abad of Balkh, and fought an engagement with the Sultan, but, notwithstanding all the efforts and endeavours of Da'ud, he was defeated. In the month of Shawwal of the year 439 H. the whole of the Saljuks assembled together, Tughril, Beghu, and Da'ud, and also the Nialts, and the Mas'udi and Mahmudi Turks, some of whom had joined the Saljuks. The Sultan marched from Balkh with his forces, and led them towards Marw and Sarakhs; and in the desert of Sarakhs an engagement ensued, which was contested from day-dawn until the time of afternoon prayer, when the Saljuks were overthrown.