MAHOMED GHOORY having no children excepting one daughter, took pleasure in educating Toorky slaves, whom he afterwards adopted. Four of those slaves, besides Kootb-ood-Deen, became great princes, of whom Taj-ood-Deen Yeldooz was one. The King having observed him to be a youth of merit, advanced him gradually, till he conferred on him the government of the provinces of Kirman and Shivuran, which lie between Ghizny and India. His situation gave him an opportunity of frequently entertaining his prince, during his expeditions to and from the latter country, which he always did with great magnificence, making presents to all the King's attendants.
Mahomed Ghoory, in his last expedition to India, conferred on Taj-ood-Deen the privilege of carrying the black standard of Ghizny, an honour which was usually confined to the heir apparent. On the death of that monarch, the Toorky officers espoused the cause of the Prince Mahmood, the son of Gheias-ood-Deen; but Mahmood being unambitious, and naturally indolent, declined the additional cares of the Ghizny government, and remained satisfied with the throne of his ancestors at Ghoor; he, however, assumed the imperial title, and proclaimed Taj-ood-Deen Yeldooz King of Ghizny, content to receive homage from that chief.
The first act of Taj-ood-Deen, after his accession,
was the invasion of the Punjab, and the seizure of
Lahore, as we have seen in the former reign, on
which occasion, being defeated by Kootb-ood-Deen
Eibuk, he lost his kingdom, which he, however,
soon after regained. At length, in conjunction
with the King Mahmood of Ghoor, he sent an army
to Herat, which he reduced, as also great part
of Seestan. Mahmood also engaged in war with
Mahomed Shah, King of Khwaruzm. Mahomed
Shah, following up his successes, took Ghizny, and
compelled Taj-ood-Deen Yeldooz to retire to
Kirman. Yeldooz, finding the northern hordes an
overmatch for him, recruited his army, and marched,
some time after the death of Kootb-ood-Deen Eibuk,
with a view to conquer India. After reducing a
few of the northern districts, he was defeated near
Dehly by Shums-ood-Deen Altmish, and being taken
prisoner, died in confinement. The whole length
of his reign was nine years. As we have already
given the history of two of Mahomed Ghoory's
adopted slaves, who assumed the title of King, it
may not be improper here to say something of
Baha-ood-Deen Toghrul, who raised himself from
the same low situation. Baha-ood-Deen Toghrul
was a chief of some repute in the service of Ma-
Seeing that all his efforts were unavailing, owing
to the garrison finding means of obtaining supplies,
he ordered small forts to be built all round, in
which he placed garrisons, and by this means
effectually blockaded the hills. It held out, however,
nearly a whole year; when, being distressed
for provisions, the Raja sent a deputation privately
to Kootb-ood-Deen Eibuk to come and take possession
of the place, rather than deliver it into the
hands of Baha-ood-Deen Toghrul. Kootb-ood-