حبیب السیر 17.1

17.1

Among the learned men who flourished during the time of Sultan Mahmud, one was 'Utbi, who composed the Tárikh-i Yamini, which is an account of the descendants of Subuktigin. That book has been translated Abu-s Sharaf Nasir bin Zafar bin Sa'du-l Munshi-l Jarbadkani, and the translation is well known among men. Another of the learned men of that time was 'Unsuri, who was the greatest poet of his age, and was always composing odes and quatrains in praise of Sultan Mahmud. The following is one of his quatrains : — " You are that monarch whom in the east and west, Jews, Fire-worshippers, Christians, and Musulmans Name when they count their beads, and ejaculate the praises of God, Saying, Oh God, give me an end that is laudable (Mahmud)." They say that 'Unsuri composed many verses in praise of Sultan Mahmud, and out of the many books which he wrote in the name of the Sultan there was one book, viz., Wamik o 'Azra. which is now lost. Another of the poets, who was a panegyrist of the Sultan Mahmud was 'Asjudi, who derived his origin from Merv. When Somnat was taken he composed a kasidah in praise of the Sultan of laudable virtues, the beginning of which runs thus : " When the acute-minded Sultan made his expedition to Somnat, He made his own exploits the standard of miracles."