1886.] Qhaznavis in Mdward-un-Nalir and part of Khnrdsdn, 117 
Mansur, by whom his capital was invested. Intriguing with and 
against the Gliaznavis. Joining Sabuktigin with a contingent, who 
sends back his forces with honour and consideration only to find him 
intriguing with Tlak. Subsequently seizing provinces of Mahmud’s, 
whose uncle Bughrajak was slain by Khalaf’s son Tahir at Fushanj in 
390. By Mahmud he is beseiged in the fortress of Tak, reduced and 
has to make abject submission. Anon in 393 abdicating in favour of 
his son Tahir,* but thinking better of this, treacherously putting the 
latter to death. Again besieged by Mahmud whom he flatters by ad¬ 
dressing as “ Sultan ” and has Juzjanan assigned as his residence. 
Intriguing once more in 398 with Ilak, and dying the following year 
in close confinement in the fortress of Juzdez. He was reputed a 
learned and intelligent man, and by his command a commentary on the 
Kur’an in 100 volumes at a cost of 100,000 dinars, was compiled. 
A1 Husain bin Tahir whose coin is in the British Museum is most 
• •• 
probably the man who was deputy for a brief period, for after Khalaf 
the sovereignty of Sijistan or Himroz remained in the possession of the 
rulers of Ghaznin for some time, until, by the support of the Saljiik 
Sultans, Alp Arsalan and Malik Shah a great-grandson of Khalaf, by 
name Tahir bin Muhammad bin Tahir bin Khalaf, obtained the 
government of the country, and became the first of the “ Maliks of 
Sijistan and Kimroz ” as chronicled in the Tabakat.f 
The Early Rulers of Ghaznin. 322—388 H. 
It has already been noticed that the earlier Muhammadan rulers 
in Ghaznin were governors subordinate to the Samani sovereigns, and it 
is in association with the latter that most notices of Alptigin and 
Sabuktigin occur. That they were termed “ Turkish slaves ” does not 
necessarily imply that they were slaves in the common acceptation of the 
term. Although described as purchased by the Samani nobles, they 
filled the position of trusted advisers, were entrusted with high civil 
and military commands, ranked among the chief personages in the 
State, and in fact very soon became its masters. It is unnecessary to 
recapitulate the few particulars given regarding these two more famous 
names, while to attempt any complete outline of the reign of Mahmud 
or his successors in Ghaznin would be beyond the scope of this already 
lengthy paper, but in connection with some of the coins figured it is 
* After this date money was coined in Sijistan in the name of Mahmud, 
t A genealogical tree showing the relationships of the Suffaris and Sijistan 
governors is appended, [See also Major Raverty’s article on “ the Kings of the 
Saffariun dynasty” in J. A. S. B. Pt. I. for 1885, p. 139 .—Ed.] 
