The Nāṣirī Generations 95.6

95.6

Mahmud, on account of this last act of Khalaf, again entered Sijistan, and Khalaf was defeated and retired once more to the fortress of Tak, but it was taken by assault and Khalaf was captured. It was on this occasion that Khalaf when brought before Mahmud, addressed him by the name of "Sultan" and his life was spared. The district of Juzjanan was assigned for his future residence, and, with his family and dependents, he left Sijistan for ever and proceeded thither. Sijistan was conferred by Mahmud upon his brother Nasr, and that territory continued for a considerable time in the possession of the Ghaznawis. In 398 H. Khalaf was found to have been intriguing against Mahmud with I-lak Khan, ruler of Turkistan, and was, in consequence, confined within the walls of the fortress of Juzdez. He died in the following year; and Mahmud directed that his property and effects should be made over to his son, Abu-l-Hafs. Khalaf was a learned and intelligent man, and, by his command, the learned men of his time compiled a commentary on the Kur’an in one hundred volumes, and at the expense of 100,000 dinars; yet, with all this, he committed the cruel act of slaying his own sons.