[Then the year 447 AH began]

⦗1⦘ In that year:
Ṭughrul Beg the Seljuk seized Baghdad. He was the first Seljuk ruler to hold sway over Iraq, and his coming marked the end of Buyid rule.

In the same year:
The rift between al-Basāsirī and the Caliph grew irreparable. The Turkish troops complained of him, and the Chief of Chiefs spoke plainly about him, enumerating his disgraceful deeds and stating that he had written to the Egyptians to pledge obedience, thereby renouncing the allegiance he had formerly owed the ʿAbbāsids. The Caliph declared, “Nothing will suffice but his destruction.”

Ṭughrul Beg’s entry into Baghdad during the month of Ramaḍān ⦗2⦘

Al-Khaṭīb ⦗3⦘ relates:
Arslān the Turk, known as al-Basāsirī, had become enormously powerful. Because none of the veteran Turkish commanders equalled him, his authority swelled; he took control of the provinces, his fame spread, and both Arab and non-Arab amirs stood in awe of him. His name was invoked from many pulpits in Iraq, Ahwāz, and their environs, he collected the revenues, and the Caliph al-Qāʾim bi-Amr Allah would not decide a single matter without him.

Later, however, the Caliph received conclusive proof of his unsound creed. A group of Turks testified before him that, while they were with al-Basāsirī in Wāsiṭ, he had informed them of his intention to plunder the Caliphal Palace and seize the Caliph himself. The Caliph therefore wrote to Abū Ṭālib Muḥammad ibn Mīkāʾīl ibn Saljūq ibn Naʿāq, surnamed Ṭughrul Beg, urging him to march on Iraq.

Most of those with al-Basāsirī abandoned him and returned to Baghdad. They then resolved to attack al-Basāsirī’s residence, which lay on the western side ⦗4⦘; they burned it and tore its buildings down.

Ṭughrul Beg reached Baghdad in Ramaḍān of the year 447. The amirs, viziers, and chamberlains rode out to meet him partway, and he entered the city in magnificent pomp. The Friday sermon was delivered first in his name and, after him, in the name of al-Malik al-Raḥīm. Toward the end of Ramaḍān the khutba for al-Malik al-Raḥīm was discontinued; he was taken prisoner to the citadel of Sīrwān. Thus he became the last of the Buyid kings. Their dynasty had ruled for close to one hundred and ten years, and his own tenure over Baghdad lasted six years and ten days.

Ṭughrul Beg was the first of the Seljuk sovereigns. After the royal palace had been rebuilt he took up residence there, while his troops quartered themselves in the Turkish barracks. He entered Baghdad with eight elephants. A clash then broke out between the Turks and the populace; the entire eastern district was plundered, grave disturbances ensued, and a great tumult arose.