[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Foreign](https://indike.org/pramana/inf) › [Islamic world](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl) › [Persian](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa) › [History (Ghaznavid, Ghurid, Ilkhanid, Timurid)](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh) › [حبیب السیر](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar) › [Habibu-s Siyar of Khondamir (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot) › 29 # حبیب السیر 29: Sultan 'Alau-d daula Bahram Shah. Habíbu-s Siyar of Khondamír (extracts) 29 - **Language:** English ### Sultan 'Alau-d daula Bahram Shah. ### [29.1](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29.1) The title of Bahram Shah was Yaminu-d daula, according to the belief of Hamdu-lla Mustaufi: but the Rauzatu-s Safa, gives it as Mu'izzu-d daula. He was a prince possessed of bravery in war, was a magnificent monarch, and courted the society of learned and literary characters. During his reign he several times carried on war against the infidels of Hind, and subdued many of the forts and cities of that kingdom. In the latter days of his reign, "'Alau-d din Husain Ghori" led an army to Ghaznin, and caused Bahram Shah to fly towards Hindustan. 'Aláu-d dín then appointed his own brother, whose name, according to one account, was Súri, and according to another Sáni, as governor of the city, and himself returned to Ghor. Bahrám Sháh again hastened to Ghaznín, and having defeated the brother of 'Aláu-d dín Husain, he seated him on a cow and paraded him round the city. When 'Aláu-d dín Husain heard of this, he hastened towards Ghaznín, thirsting for vengeance; but before he could arrive there, the hand of fate folded up the roll of the life of Bahrám Sháh. The Rauzatu-s Safá gives the year 547 A.H. (1152-3), as the date of the death of Bahrám Sháh, but Hamdu-lla Mustaufí fixes that event at 544. According to the first authority, his reign lasted thirty-five years; according to the second, only thirty-two years. Among the celebrated learned men and great poets who were contemporary with Sultán Bahrám Sháh, one was Shaikh Sanái Abú-l Majid bin Adamu-l Ghazníví. ### [29.2](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29.2) In the Nafahát, the cause of the repentance of Shaikh Sanái is thus explained. When Sultán Mahmúd had set out from Ghaznín in the winter season, for the purpose of reducing to obedience some of the country of the infidels, Sanái, having composed an ode in praise of Mahmúd, set out for his army, for the purpose of presenting his verses to the Sultán. In the middle of his journey, he arrived at the door of a distiller, where a certain darwesh, experienced in misfortunes, was saying to his cup-bearer, "Fill a cup to the blindness of the contemptible Mahmúd Subuktigín." The cup-bearer replied, "Mahmúd is a king and a Musulmán, who is always engaged in making war upon the infidels." The unlucky wretch replied, "He is a contemptible man, and never satisfied; ### [29.3](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29.3) he was unable to govern what he already possessed, and still he desires to appropriate another kingdom." The darwesh drained the cup, and said to the cup-bearer, "Fill another goblet to the blindness of the despicable poet Sanái." The cup-bearer replied, "Sanai is a learned poet, endowed with an elegant genius." The miserable man answered, "If he were a gainer by his elegant genius, he would employ himself in some business which would be serviceable to him : he has in a certain paper written several frivolous remarks which are of no use to him, neither does he know for what reason God created him." Sanai, upon hearing this speech, became a changed man : he awoke from his intoxication of negligence, and employed himself in walking in the path of the Prophet. ### [29.4](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29.4) From minds which can discern minute objects, the asylum of men of learning and of intelligence, it cannot remain concealed, that this story shows that the fame of Shaikh Sanai for composing poetry existed during the days of Sultan Mahmud of Ghaznin, although the Hadikatu-l Hakikat, which that great man composed in verses which are miracles of counsel, shows that Shaikh Sanai was contemporary with Sultan Bahram Shah, that book being written in the illustrious name of that mighty king. Sultan Mahmud Ghaznivi died in the year 421, and the Hadikat, as has been ascertained from its pages, was completed in the year 525. From looking at these two dates, in which men of learning all agree, it is evident that this story is very improbable ; but God knows everything ! According to the author of the Guzida, Shaikh Sanai died during the days of Sultan Bahram Shah ; but according to some learned men, that event took place in the year 525 A.H. (1130-1 A.D.), which was the year in which the Hadikat was completed. ### [29.5](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29.5) Among the eloquent men, adorners of discourse, and among poets abounding in eloquence, Nasru-lla bin 'Abdu-l Hamid bin Abu-l M'ali and Saiyid Hasan Ghaznivi were contemporaries with Bahram Shah. Nasru-lla wrote the Kalila and Damna, in the style which is now current among mankind, and dedicated it to this Sultan ; and Saiyid Hasan, on the day of Bahram's accession, composed an ode, the first line of which is as follows : " A voice came from the seventh Heaven, That Bahram Shah was the king of the world." In the Tdrikh-i Guzida it is written, that when Saiyid Hasan went on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Muhammad, the best of men (and upon whom let there be peace and benedictions!), he made a translation of a panegyric which had been written in honour of his Holiness, and read the verses before the Prophet's splendid sepulchre. When he arrived at this verse, viz.— "I have not boasted of being among your descendants, But have only made a slight encomium, oh, my beloved! Send me out from thy presence a robe of honour," —a hand holding a cloak stretched itself out from the vault, and said, "Take it, O my son." But God knows everything! --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29](https://indike.org/pramana/inf.isl.fa.tarikh.habib-al-siyar~en-elliot.29) · Pramāṇa