EXTRACTS.

TABAKAT XI.

HISTORY OF THE GHAZNIVIDE SOVEREIGNS.

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Imám Abú-l Fazl al Hasan Baihakí relates in the Tárikh-i Násirí, that Sultán Sa'íd Mahmúd heard from his father, Amír Subuktigín,* that his (Subuktigín's) father was called Kará-bahkam. His name was Jauk (troop), and in Turkí they call a troop bahkam; so that the meaning of the name Kará-bahkam is “black troop.” Whenever the Turks in Turkistán heard his name they fled before him on account of his activity and courage.

Imám Muhammad 'Alí Abu-l Kásim Hamádí says in his Táríkh-i Majdúl, that Amír Subuktigín was a descendant of King Yazdajird. When this monarch was slain in a mill in the country of Merv, in the reign of the commander of the faith­ful 'Usmán, his followers and dependants (atbá' wa ashyá'), came to Turkistán, and entering into intermarriages with the people of that country after two or three generations (their descendants) became Turks. Their palaces in this country are still standing. The following is a genealogical table of this race:—Amír Subuk-tigín, son of Jauk Kará-bahkam, who was the son of Kará Arslán, the son of Kará-malat, son of Kará Nu'mán, son of Fíroz, son of Yazdajird, who was the sovereign of Persia,* —but God knows the truth.

I.—Amíru-l Ghází Násiru-d dín Subuktigín.

Imám Abú-l Fazl Baihakí writes that Nasr Hájí was a trader in the reign of 'Abdu-l Malik Núh Sámání. He bought Subuk-tigín, and took him to Bukhárá as a slave. The marks of wisdom and activity were stamped upon his forehead, and he was purchased by the Lord Chamberlain (Amír hájib), Alptigín. In the service of this nobleman he went to Tukháristán, and when Alptigín was appointed governor of that place he continued to serve him. In the course of events Alptigín came afterwards to Ghaznín, when he conquered the country of Záwulistán, and wrested Ghaznín from the hands of Amír Anúk.*

Eight years afterwards Alptigín died,* and was succeeded by his son Is'hák. This chief fought with Anúk, and being defeated he went to Bukhárá, where he succeeded in obtaining assistance from Amír Mansúr Núh. Thus strengthened, he returned and retook Ghazní. One year later he expired, and Bilkátigín,* the chief of the Turks, was raised to his place. This chief was a very just and religious man, and was one of the greatest warriors in the world. He died after a reign of two years. Amír Subuk-tigín was in his service. Bilkátigín was succeeded by Amír Parí,* who was a very depraved man. A party of the inhabi­tants of Ghazní opened communications with Abú 'Alí Anúk, and invited him back. Abú 'Alí obtained the aid of the son of the king of Kábul,* but when they came into the vicinity (hadd) of Charkh,* Subuktigín with five hundred Turks fell upon them, and defeated them. He put a great number to the sword, and took many prisoners. He also captured two elephants, and carried them to Ghazní. After the achievement of this victory the people, who were disgusted with Parí on account of his wickedness (fasád), raised Subuktigín with unanimous consent to the chieftainship of Ghazní. On the twenty-seventh of Sha'bán, A.H. 366 (April, 977), on Friday, he came out of the fort with the umbrella, jewels, and banners, and proceeded to the Jámi' Masjid, where he was confirmed in the government and sovereignty of the country. He carried his arms from Ghaznín to different countries, and brought Zamín-dáwar,* Kusdár, Bámíán, the whole of Tukháristán and Ghor into his possession. On the side of India he defeated Jaipál at the head of a large army and numerous elephants. He also drove back Bughrá Khán, of Káshghar, (from his attacks upon) the Sámánian dynasty. He then went to Balkh, and restored the chief of Bukhárá to his throne. In his time great exploits were per­formed, and all the sources of internal dissensions in Khurásán were eradicated.