A. H. 424.
A. D. 1033.

ceeded by a pestilence which swept many thousands from the face of the earth; for in less than one month 40,000 persons died in Ispahan alone. Nor did it rage with less violence in Hindoostan, where whole countries were entirely depopulated. In the neighbourhood of Moosul and Bagdad also, the joodry (plague) raged to such a degree, that hardly a single house escaped without losing one or two of the family.

A. H. 425.
A. D. 1034. In the year 425 Musaood marched his army to the north, in the direction of Amol and Sary. The inhabitants op­posed him in his progress, but they were dispersed by the imperial troops with little opposition. Aba Kalunjar, * the Prince of Tubristan, sent an am­bassador, subjecting himself and his country to the King, at the same time sending his son Bahmun, and his nephew Sherooya, the son of Soorkhab, to meet the King in the province of Koorkan. Mu-saood from thence marched towards Ghizny, and arrived at Nyshapoor. The inhabitants continued to complain bitterly of the incursions of the Sul-jooks; and the King sent Boghtudy, and Hoosein the son of Michael, with a force to attack them. When the Ghiznevide army reached the village of Sendooz, a messenger came from the Toorkmans with a letter to the following purpose: that “they “were the King's servants, and not at all desirous “to disturb any body but his enemies, provided “they were enabled, by receiving an annual sub-“sidy, to live at home without plunder, or were “led out to war, that they might exercise what they “deemed their only profession.” The answer of Boghtudy was imperious and haughty. “I hold “no communion with you,” said he, “but with “the sword, unless you give over your depreda-“tions, and submit yourselves implicitly to the “authority of the King.”

The Suljooks, on hearing this message from their ambassador, advanced, and made a violent assault upon the camp of Boghtudy, but were repulsed, and obliged to fly, while Boghtudy, pursuing them with rapidity, took all their baggage, their wives, and their children. But returning from the pur­suit, while yet many of his troops were dispersed and intent on plunder, a body of the Suljooks issued from between two hills, and made a dreadful slaughter among his soldiers, whom he was unable to form with any regularity. The Ghiznevides defended themselves individually with great gallantry, and retreated for two days and nights. Hoossein, the son of Michael, could not be persuaded to quit the field, so that after most of his men were killed, he himself fell into the hands of the enemy. Boghtudy fled, and carried advice of his own defeat to the King at Nyshapoor.

Musaood endeavoured, in vain, to conceal his

A.H. 426.
A. D. 1035.

resentment and shame, and marched back to Ghizny, in the year 426. In this year, also, one Tatiah, * an Indian chief, was employed to attack Ahmud, the son of Daniel-tugeen, who had rebelled in his government. On this occasion, Tatiah was slain, and his troops defeated with great slaughter. Musaood, informed of this disaster, sent Tilok, the son of Jye Sein†, * the commander of all the Indian troops, to re­inforce him, who pursued the enemy so closely that many thousands fell into his hands, whom he mutilated by cutting off their ears and noses. Ahmud reached the banks of the Indus, and en­deavouring to cross the river, was drowned in the attempt. His corpse was soon after found, and his head being severed from his body, was sent to Ghizny.

A. H. 427.
A. D. 1036. In the year 427, a new palace was finished at Ghizny. In it was a golden throne, studded with jewels, erected in a magnificent hall; over which was suspended, by a golden chain, a crown of gold, weighing 70 muns, * emitting lustre from numerous precious stones, forming a canopy for the King when he sat in state to give public audience. In the same year he conferred the ensigns and drums of roy­alty on his son the Prince Modood, and sent him to the government of Bulkh, whilst he himself marched with an army to India, to reduce the fort of Hansy, which, according to the Tubkat Na-siry, is the ancient capital of Sewalik. The Hin-doos reckoned it impregnable, and were taught to believe it would never fall into the hands of the Mahomedans. On this occasion the Indian soothsayers, like those of other nations, deceived their followers, for in the space of six days the King escaladed the place, and took it by storm. Herein he found immense treasure; and having put the fort under the charge of a trusty officer, he marched towards the fort of Sonput. Depal Hurry, the governor of Sonput, abandoned the place, and fled into the woods; but having no time to carry off his treasure, it fell into the con­queror's hands. Musaood having ordered all the temples to be rased to the ground, and the idols to be broken, proceeded in pursuit of Depal Hurry, who was surprised by the King, and most of his army were taken prisoners, while he himself ef­fected his escape. From thence the King marched against one Ram Ray, who, gaining intelligence of his approach, sent large presents of gold and elephants, excusing himself, on account of his age, from personally attending upon Musaood. The King received his presents and excuse, and re­frained from farther molestation; then, leaving a trusty chief in Sonput, he took possession of all the countries in his rear, intending to return to Ghizny. When he reached Lahore, he left his son Modood there, conferring on him the govern­ment of that province, and the drums and ensigns of state; leaving with him Ayaz Khass, his fa­vourite counsellor and minister.

A. H. 428.
A. D. 1037. In the year 428, Musaood again marched to Bulkh, to check the con­tinued encroachments of the Toork-mans, who, hearing of the King's advance, left the country. The inhabitants of Bulkh addressed Musaood, and acquainted him that Toghrul Beg Suljooky, after his departure, had made frequent incursions into his territories, and crossing the river, had laid violent hands on the lives and property of his subjects, the King determined to attack Toghrul Beg in the ensuing winter, and in the be­ginning of the spring to make war on the other hordes of Suljooks in Khorassan. The omrahs of his court, with one accord, advised him to march first against the Suljooks under Jakur Beg, who during the last two years had gained several advantages over the troops of Khorassan, and were daily ac­quiring new strength. Musaood at that time also received a copy of verses from one of the nobles of that province. “The Suljooks,” said the poet, “who were once but ants, have now become “little adders; and if they are not soon destroyed, “they may in a short time become dragons.”

But the star of the King's fortune had now reached its zenith, and he would by no means listen to the advice of his officers. In hopes to con­quer the country lying before him, he threw a bridge over the Jyhoon, and crossing his army without opposition, took possession of the whole province of Mawur-ool-Nehr. During the win­ter so much snow fell, that it was with the ut­most difficulty he marched his troops back to Ghizny. In the mean time, Jakur Beg Suljooky moved from Suruksh against Bulkh, from whence Khwaja Ahmud, the vizier, wrote to the King begging that, as he had not a sufficient force to oppose the enemy, the King would take steps to reinforce him. Musaood accordingly counter-marched his army towards Bulkh.

Toghrul Beg Suljooky, taking advantage of this circumstance, marched rapidly to Ghizny, plun­dered the King's stables, and even sacked part of the capital before he was repulsed. When Musaood reached the confines of Bulkh, Jakur Beg Sul-jooky retreated towards Murv. The King, in conjunction with his son Modood, went in pursuit to Koorkan, when several persons came to camp, complaining of the ravages of Ally Koondoozy. This Ally was little better than a common robber, though a man of considerable talent and cunning. Having refused to account for his conduct, and continuing his depredations, the King ordered a detachment to attack him, and he was driven by the King's forces within the walls of a fort in the neighbourhood, where, with his whole family, he was taken and subsequently hanged.