Introduction—Gives an account of the Creation of the world, the Deluge, Jinns, Iblís, etc. pages 5—13.
Book I.—The History of the Patriarchs and Prophets. pp. 13—116.
Book II.—Of Philosophers and illustrious personages, pp. 117—123.
Book III.—Of the ancient kings of Irán and adjacent countries, pp. 123—212.
Book IV.—Of Muhammad and his conquests, pp. 212—285.
Book V.—Of the twelve Imáms and the descendants of 'Alí, pp. 285—346.
Book VI.—Of the Ummayide Khalifs, pp. 347—399.
Book VII.—Of the 'Abbáside Khalifs, pp. 399—460.
Book VIII.—Of the kings who were contemporary with the 'Abbásides, and of a few subsequent to them, pp. 460—579.
Book IX.—Of the posterity of Japhet, the life of Changíz Khán and his successors, pp. 579—624.
Book X.—The history of Tímúr, and of his descendants who reigned in Khurásán to A.D. 1471, pp. 624—680.
Conclusion.—Description of Hirát—Memoirs of its celebrated inhabitants, pp. 680—743.
[Mr. Morley has given a more detailed statement of the contents in his Catalogue of the MSS. of the Royal Asiatic Society.]
In Europe there are several good copies of this work, of which the best known are those of St. Petersburg, Vienna, the British Museum, and Sir W. Ouseley.* The work is common in India. In the Asiatic Society's Library there is an excellent manuscript, but by far the most beautiful copy I have seen is in the possession of Muhammad Razíu-d dín, chief native Judge of Allahábád, though a little defective at the end.
Sultán Shahábu-d-dín took considerable delight in purchasing Turkish slaves and educating them. He bestowed the government of the territories of Kirmán and Túrán, dependencies of Sind, upon one of these slaves, named Táju-d dín Yaldúz, who, upon the death of Sultán Shahábu-d dín, ascended the throne of Ghazní. He reigned a short time, but in a war with Sultán Shamsu-d dín Altamsh, King of Dehlí, he was taken prisoner and put to death.
Kutbu-d dín I'bak was likewise one of the slaves of Shahábu-d dín. He was distinguished for his great courage and liberality. Having had the reins of the government of Dehlí entrusted to him by the Sultán, he prosecuted many religious wars in India, the particulars of some of which are recorded in the Táju-l Ma-ásir.* Kutbu-d dín I'bak ruled twenty years, during fourteen years of which period he held himself independent of the Sultán, and had the Khutba read in his own name.
Upon his death, his son A'rám Sháh ascended the throne, but owing to his want of ability, he was deposed after a few days, and was succeeded by Sultán Shamsu-d dín I'bak (Altamsh).
Malik* Násiru-d dín Kubáj (Kubácha), after the death of his master Sultán Shahábu-d dín, took possession of U'ch, Multán, and several towns in Sind. When Changíz Khán committed great depredations and massacres in Persia, the people of Khurásán sought refuge in great numbers in the territories of Násiru-d dín, under whose protection they were treated with great munificence and consideration. Malik Násiru-d dín, in the latter years of his reign, assumed a hostile attitude towards Sultán Shamsu-d dín Altamsh The latter marched an army towards U'ch and Multán, and Násiru-d dín being defeated, fled to the fort of Bakar. On receiving intelligence of the intended attempt on that fort by the wazír of Shamsu-d dín, named Nizámu-l Mulk Muhammad, son of Abú Sa'íd, he tried to get away in a boat, and thus escape from that whirlpool of danger to the shore of safety; but in the river he sank into the ocean of mortality.
Some say Sultán Shamsu-d dín was one of the slaves of Sultán Shahábu-d dín; others again say he was one of Kutbu-d dín I'bak's slaves. However this may be, it is certain that after the death of Kutbu-d dín I'bak, the kingdom devolved upon Shamsu-d dín, who administered even-handed justice for twenty-six years, conquered a great number of forts and territories in India, and died in 633 A.H. (1235-6). The Jámi'u-l Hikáyát, which was dedicated to Wazír Nizámu-l Mulk Muhammad, son of Abú Sa'íd, was composed during the reign of this king.
Sultán Ruknu-d dín Fíroz Sháh, son of Shamsu-d dín Altamsh, ascended the throne, and was exceedingly liberal in his largesses and donations, but in consequence of his inordinate addiction to wine, he altogether disgusted and alienated the nobles and ministers of the State. They at length seized him and put him in prison. He reigned only seven months.