The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c6.7

c6.7

Five years later, they again crossed the Jaxartes on the plea of aiding their Qarlugh allies who had broken in revolt against the Khan of Samarqand. The later thereupon summoned his suzerain to assistance. In the battle that followed Sanjar suffered the greatest defeat of his life and could escape only with a few followers¹. This defeat cost him the whole of Transoxiana². It produced repercussions on other parts of the empire as well. According to the *Guzidah*³, Atsiz, the vassal ruler of Khwarizm (Khiva) now declared independence and assumed royal titles; he even captured Merv, Sanjar's capital, which however, was easily recovered. The final disaster to his empire was the eruption of the Ghuzz from Balkh⁴ and his subsequent defeat and captivity at their hands in 548/1153. After four years he managed to escape but died soon⁵.