with al-Mustansir, the ruler of Egypt (1), who supplied him with money and arms. He advanced with a small force, seized Baghdad, and al-Qaʾim fled. The caliph sought the protection of the Arab emir Muharash (2), while al-Basāsīrī’s men ravaged the land. For a full year he proclaimed the Fatimid summons in Iraq on behalf of al-Mustansir, killed the vizier (3), and perpetrated abominations (4) until Tughril Beg arrived, championed the caliph, and al-Basāsīrī withdrew. A detachment pursued him; he fought until he was slain—praise be to God. It is said that this took place in Dhū al-Ḥijjah of the year 451 AH (5).

71 – The Ruler of Ghazna, Farrukhzād ibn Masʿūd ibn Maḥmūd *

Sultan Farrukhzād, son of Sultan Masʿūd, son of the great Sultan Maḥmūd ibn Subuktikīn, was an able, majestic, and courageous monarch whose domains were extensive. His bath-house mamluks once attacked him; having his sword at hand, he charged them and escaped unharmed. The guards arrived and killed the assailants. After that he spoke frequently of death and became disenchanted with the world, until he was seized by colic (6).