حبیب السیر 19.2

19.2

'Alau-d daula was the son of the maternal uncle of Majdu-d daula bin Fakhru-d daula Dailami, and in the language of Dailam they call a maternal uncle by the word "Kakuya." This Kakuya was at first the viceroy of 'Irak, but afterwards he arrogated to himself absolute dominion. In the year 423 H. (1032 A.D.) Altuntash hajib, conformably with Mas'ud's order, proceeded from Khwarizm to Mawardu-n nahr against 'Alitigin, who had subdued Samarkand and Bukhara. On the confines of Balkh he was joined by 15,000 men from the army of Ghaznin, and Altuntash first marched to Bukhara, which he took, and then directed his steps towards Samarkand. 'Alitigin having come out of the city with the intention of fighting, drew up his army near a certain village, on the one side of which was a river and numerous trees, and on the other a mountain, equal in height to the revolving heavens. When Altuntash came up to that spot, the flame of battle was kindled, and in the middle of the fight a band of men, who had lain in ambuscade, rushed out and charged the army of Khwárizm. They wounded Altuntásh mortally, but that brave man concealed the circumstance, and conducted himself with such resolution that many of the army of 'Alítigín were killed, and the rest, who escaped the sword, were taken prisoners.