حبیب السیر 4: Sultan Mahmud.

4

Those historians who are the best, both externally and intrinsically, and whose happy pens have written as if they were disciples of Manes, in the books which they have composed, lay it down that Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi was a king who attained varieties of worldly prosperity, and the fame of his justice and government, and the sound of his fortitude and country-subduing qualities, reached beyond the hall of the planet Saturn. In prosperously carrying on war against infidels, he exalted the standards of the religion of the faithful, and in his laudable endeavours for extirpating heretics, he rooted out oppression and impiety. When he entered into battle, his heroism was like a torrent which rushes over even and uneven places without heed, and during the time that he sat upon the throne, and was successful in his undertakings, the light of his justice, like the rays of the sun, shone upon every one. His wisdom during the nights of misfortune, like a star, pointed out the way, and his sword pierced the joints of his enemies like the hand of fate.
"He had both wisdom of heart and strength of hand, With these two qualities he was fit to sit upon the throne."
But that mighty king, notwithstanding the possession of these laudable attributes, was excessively greedy in accumulating wealth, and evinced his parsimony and narrowness in no very praiseworthy manner.
"From generosity he derived no honour, Like as the shell guards the pearl, so he guarded his wealth. He had treasuries full of jewels, But not a single poor man derived benefit therefrom."
The father of Sultan Mahmud was Amir Nasiru-d din, a slight description of whom my pen has already given. His mother was a daughter of one of the grandees of Zabulistan, and for this reason he was called Zabuli. During his early years Amir Nuh Samani gave him the title of Saifu-d daula, but when he had mounted the ladders of sovereign authority, Al Kadir bi-llah 'Abbasi called him Yaminu-d daula and Aminu-l millat.
In the beginning of the reign of Yaminu-d daula, Khalaf bin Ahmad had the presumption to offer opposition to him, upon which Sultan Mahmud led his army to Sistan, and having seized Khalaf, reduced that country under his sway. He several times waged war against the infidels in Hindustan, and he brought under his subjection a large portion of their country, until, having made himself master of Somnat, he destroyed all the idol-temples of that country.
It was about the same time that Sultan Mahmud contracted not only a friendship with Ilak Khan, but also a matrimonial alliance with his family; but in the end, quarrels and dissensions arose, and the Sultan triumphed over Ílak Khán, when the rays of his justice shone on the confines of Máwaráu-n nahr.
In the same manner he led his army to Khwárizm, and after some fighting, the signs of his universal benevolence were displayed to the inhabitants of that country. Towards the close of his life, he marched towards 'Irák 'Ajam. Having wrested these countries from the possession of Majdu-d daula Dílamí, he delivered them over to his own son Mas'úd, and then, after the accomplishment of his wishes, he returned to Ghaznín. He died of consumption and liver complaint in the year 421 H. (1030 A.D.) His age was sixty-three years, and he reigned thirty-one. During the early part of his reign, Abú-l 'Abbás Fazl bin Ahmad Asfaráiní held the wazírship; but Fazl having been found fault with and punished, Ahmad bin Hasan Maimandí exalted the standard of ministry. Yamínu-d daula, during the latter days of his life, found fault with Ahmad, and issued against him the royal edict of removal from office, and then, according to his wish, he appointed Amír Hasnak Míkál.