The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.7

v3.c20.7

The nobles of Balkh, in obedience to Sabuktigīn’s will, acknowledged as their sovereign his younger son Ismā‘īl, but a party favoured the claims of the more able and energetic Mahmūd. Mahmūd wrote to his brother demanding the cession of Ghaznī and promising to retain him as governor of Balkh, but his demand was rejected, and the two brothers, one from Nīshāpūr and the other from Balkh, marched on Ghaznī. In a battle fought near the city Ismā‘īl was defeated and compelled to take refuge in the fortress, but his nobles surrendered him to his brother, who imprisoned him for the rest of his life.