94 E. E. Oliver —Decline of the Sdmdnis and the Rise of the [No. 2, 
journey of Baghdad.’’ Isma’il’s representatives governed the towns of 
Merv, Nishapiir, Rai, Amol, Kazvin, Isfahan, Shiraz, Hirat and Balkh.* 
He was well-known as a religions and pious prince, not less famous as a 
brave soldier than as remarkable for his love of justice, humanity, and 
taste for learning. He could have had but short respite from his pro¬ 
tracted wars, repelling the invasions of Turks on the north, or waging 
crusades at the bidding of the Lord of the Faithful, but he did great 
things for Bukhara, which under his rule became the centre of wealth 
and learning for nearly half Muhammadan A.sia. For details regarding 
his encouragement of science and literature, his patronage of eminent 
theologians and scholars, the palaces he erected, the schools he founded, his 
efforts for the encouragement of manufactures and for an improved water 
supply, a reference must be made to the chapter in Vambery’s Bukhara, 
in which city the name of Isma’il Samani is still venerated. He was 
born at Farghanah in the month of Shawwal 234 H., was 15 when his 
father died, governed Bukhara for 20 years as the representative of his 
brother Nasr, and for 14 years independently, dying on Tuesday the 14th 
of Safar 295 H. his title then becoming Amir-i-Mazi, “ the Late Amir.” 
Abu Nasr-i-Ahmad 295—301 H. 
• • 
That is, Ahmad the father of Nasr, the eldest of Isma’il’s four sons, 
afterwards designated Amir-i-Shahid, “ the martyred Amir” succeeded. 
“A prince of ungovernable temper and warlike tastes, but without a 
trace of his father’s pacific virtues.” His first act was to seize his uncle 
the governor of Samarkand and imprison him in Bukhara, his next, to 
punish the governor of Tabaristan who fled to Baghdad. He then marched 
on Sijistan against the Saffari Mu’addil who had assumed the sovereignty, 
but who was promptly subdued and imprisoned, Abu Salih bin Mansur, the 
son of Ahmad’s uncle, being established as governor. Subsequently the 
Sijistanis revolted and confining Abu Salih in the fortress of Ark set up 
’Amru bin Ya’kub of the house of Lais in 300 H., whereupon Ahmad 
promptly re-invaded them and ’Amru surrendering, another Samani 
governor was set up. Ahmad’s severities, and the execution of certain 
of his retainers, soon, however, raised enemies in his own house ready to 
assassinate him. He is said to have lived in constant fear of his life and 
to have had two trained lions secured every night near his sleeping 
apartments. The precaution being omitted one night, his own servants 
seized the opportunity, and earned for him the title of “ Martyred,” on 
day the 23rd Jamadi-ul-akhir 301 H. His mint towns observed are 
Samarkand, Shash and Andarabah. 
* His mint towns represented in the British Museum are, Samarkand, Shash, 
Andarabah, Balkh, Ma’adin, and Nishapur. 
