1886.] Ghaznavis in Mdward-un-Nalir and part of Khurasan. 101 
on the plains of Hirat in Shawwal 384 H., Null resigning the entire com¬ 
mand to Sabuktigin, in which the rebels were routed and fled to Nisha- 
pur. This was the occasion when the aged Sabuktigin received the title 
of Nasir-ud-daulah “ Succourer of the kingdom,” and Mahmud that of 
Saif-ud-daulah “ Sword of the kingdom.” Niih returned triumphantly 
to Bukhara and Sabuktigin to Ghaznin. Mahmud being nominated to. the 
command of the troops with the government of the territories of Balkh, 
Hirat and Nishapur, having his head quarters at the latter place.* In the 
following year, 385, Abu ’Ali, who had taken refuge with Abu-l-Hasam 
i-Buwiah, at Rai, thinking the departure of Sabuktigin had partly left 
the field open to him, attacked Mahmud at Nishapur who after some 
hard fighting was defeated and driven back to Hirat: Abu ’Ali occupying 
Nishapiir, until Sabuktigin advancing with a considerable force to the 
rescue, he moved forward to meet him. A severe and sanguinary battle 
ensued near Tiis ; Abu ’Ali, with whom was Fayik, being utterly routed 
and driven to lOiwarazm.f The Shah of Khwarazm, Abu Abdullah, in 
spite of a generous appeal from Nuh, put the fugitive in irons (386), 
a procedure that roused the indignation of the Viceroy Mumiin Mahmud 
at Jurgan, who forthwith attacked and defeated the Shah, threw him into 
the identical irons from which Abii ’Ali was released, and finally in 
thoroughly Roman fashion executed him to make a holiday for a party 
of friends.^ Abii ’Ali was formally pardoned by the easy going Niih, but 
Sabuktigin considering him too dangerous a traitor, demanded his custody, 
and threw him into prison, where he died 387 H. 
But, to use the somewhat inflated langua^ge of A1 ’Htbi, the once 
“ lofty flame of the house of Samani had sunk very low, and the star of 
their empire almost set.” flak Nasr the successor of Bughra, the most 
powerful and famous of all the Khans of Turkestan, was already on the 
frontier squeezing the Revenue Collectors, and preparing for invasion 
in communication with the ever ubiquitous Fayik. Sabuktigin, who since 
his last victory had remained at Merv, now moved to Balkh. where he 
received an imploring letter from Nuh for fresh assistance. This, after 
some little consultation with his officers, he commenced active prepara¬ 
tion to render, meanwhile to him flak also made overtures, urged their 
* Coin No. XXIX of those now figured is of great interest in this connection 
confirming the accuracy of the chronicler, being struck by Mahmud the son of 
Sabuktigin, about this time, as “ Saif-nd-danlah ” and governor of Nishapur, giving 
also the name of his suzerain and of the khalifah who had recognized him. 
f Minhaj says, Fayik was thrown into prison at Bukhara and died there, but 
other writers do not agree, and Minhaj himself brings him on the scene again shortly 
after. 
% This on the authority of A1 Utbi, but I hare not been able to identify Mumun, 
