حبیب السیر 5.3

5.3

In the Tarjuma-i Yamíní it is written, that when the Sultán led his army from Sístán to Hindústán, and having, as usual, waged war with the infidels, returned triumphant, Khalaf bin Ahmad placed his son Táhir on the throne, and having delivered over the keys of the treasuries to him, and chosen a life of retirement, he entered into the courtyard of devotion, and sought relinquishment from affairs both civil and criminal. When, after some little time, Táhir had become absolute in the affairs of government, Khalaf, repenting of what he had done, feigned sickness. Having placed some of the nobles in the ambush of perfidy, he sent for Táhir, under the pretence of making his last will and testament; and while Táhir stood at the pillow of his father, those perfidious men entered and tied firmly both his hands and his neck. They then incarcerated him, and after a few days brought him dead out of prison, saying that "Tahir had killed himself from excess of grief." Tahir bin Rust, and some of the chief amirs of Sistan, who had been witnesses of this base conduct on the part of Khalaf, withdrew their attachment, and sent petitions to Yaminu-d daula, praying him to turn his standard, which abounded in victory, towards that quarter. Sultan Mahmud consented to their request, and in the year 394 H. (1003-4 A.D.) marched towards Sistan.