At the death of Mahmúd, two sons were left to dispute the succession to his throne; but, as these were twins, whose priority of right was only established by a few hours, each con­sidered his claim equally legitimate, and resolved to decide it by the sword. The will of their father had been evinced in favour of the elder; and, though his dying wish indicated him for his successor, the younger was little disposed to yield obedience to a decision, which he con­sidered, no doubt, founded on caprice. Moham­med, the name of the former, mild and winning in his manner, had secured a father's affection by filial duty and implicit obedience; and though Masúd, the younger, had more striking qualities to sway the multitude, they were little calculated to win a parent's love, though they might occasionally command his regard. The former, though gentle and tractable in disposi­tion, possessed little besides which might com­mand respect: the other, bold and independent in his language, might sometimes offend his father; but, distinguished for feats of strength, loved for liberality, and admired for his valour, won the hearts of the army and the nobles, and calculated with certainty on success. The Khalif of Baghdád had been privately instructed by the late king of Ghazní that, in addressing him, he was to insert the name of the Prince Mohammed before that of Masúd. The letter was read aloud in court, at Ghazní; some of the nobles, in their zeal for the cause of the latter, expressed indignation and surprise at the circumstance, but the answer of Masúd to them was characteristic of the man. “Concern not yourselves,” said he; “when swords are truest, we may write what follows.”*

Accession of
Masúd.

Mahmúd contemplated, as would appear, the contest of the brothers for his throne; and arranged, as far as circumstances would permit, that his favourite might find every facility for possessing himself of Ghazní. Masúd, who had been sent to rule the most westerly dependencies of the empire, had his seat of government at Ispahán; while Mohammed, nearer to the capital, directed the affairs of Transox­iana, and resided at Jurján,* in the ancient Hyrcania, south-east of the Caspian. When the intelligence of his father's decease was brought to the latter, he immediately set out for Ghazní, and was crowned with the approba­tion and aid of the late king's relations, who executed his will in this respect. The wishes of the army and the nobles, however, were all in favour of Masúd, who, leaving governors in the provinces of Persian Irák, made all possible expedition in advancing to Khorásán, with the intention of asserting his right to the throne. Mohammed made preparation to oppose him, and marched to Taki-ábád, not far distant from Ghazní; but the nobles, having formed a con­spiracy, seized and confined him; while they

A.D. 1030.
October.

hastened to join his more fortunate rival. The aspirations of the younger were realized; the conspirators joined him at Herát; the army marched by way of Balkh to Ghazní; the elder brother was blinded, as the greatest mercy which can be extended to a rival in the east; and the crown of Ghazní encircled the brow of Masúd.

Notwithstanding the many eminent qualities which distinguished this prince, and which appeared to indicate him as born for dominion, his administration proved less vigorous than was anticipated, and the extent of the empire was considerably reduced during his reign. The causes which occasioned such things were perhaps beyond the possibility of control. The pastoral tribe of Turkmáns had found a brave and active leader in the person of Toghrul Beg, sprung from the race of Saljúk; and, while these warlike barbarians were professing obedience to the king of Ghazní, they continued to com­mit aggressions against his people and his power. Though long superior, the troops of Ghazní had now met their equals: victory did not always accompany their standards; and the northern parts of the kingdom were all but severed from the monarch's control.

The rise of such formidable rivals proved an auspicious event for the feeble states of India, by directing the attention of the Ghazní government to other parts of its possessions. But, though Masúd was no longer able to afflict Hindústán with the desolating warfare which had been carried on by his father, the country was not altogether exempted from foreign inva­sion.

A.D 1036.
Expedition to
Hansi.

An expedition was undertaken against the fort of Hansi, sixty miles west of the river Jumna, and then the capital of Sewalik, or that mountainous country which separates the province of Dehlí from the sources of the Ganges. The place was taken; the troops advanced to Sonpat, of which the ruler Depál, or Deva Pál Harnát,* fled; and a Mohammedan governor was established in the place. After ordering the idols to be broken, Masúd went in pursuit of the fugitive Rájá; who, being surprised by the king, lost most of his army, and escaped with much difficulty. The troops soon after returned to Ghazní; and Majdúd,* the younger son of Masúd, was appointed to the government of Multán, and the Indian dependencies of the empire.

While the aggressions of the Saljúk Turk­máns were daily becoming more daring, Masúd, with singular infatuation, neglected to pursue those vigorous measures, suited to check encroachments on his territory. Though the nobles endeavoured to dissuade him from undertaking the expedition to India, representing that the troops might be more properly employed in expelling the Turkmáns from Kho­rásán,* he would not attend to this good advice, and suffered in the end for his obstinacy. In his absence, the power of his formidable enemies had increased; the property and lives of his subjects were made their sport; and, as one of his nobles said, “though once but ants, they had become adders.”* The several members of the subjugated race of Bawaihi, who, as lieutenants of the king of Ghazní, continued to conduct the government of Persian Irák, took this opportunity of regaining their independence, and excited a rebellion. Masúd, too late perceiving that all these causes threatened to dismember his empire, marched against the Turkmáns. Several engagements were fought with various success, till the army of Ghazní, marching to Sirakhsh, in Khorásán, was opposed by the latter, and met with defeat. The king soon after withdrew to his Indian possessions, with a view of recruiting his army, and repairing his losses; but the troops, becoming discontented on the road, mutinied, and dethroned their leader. His blind brother Mohammed was now elevated to the vacant throne, and Masúd sent to prison, where he was soon after assassi­nated.

A.D. 1042.
Sultan Modúd.