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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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The new convert Tughshâda, who was appointed Bukhér-Khidat bÿ Kutaiba, -in N. gratitude for the favour, named his first born son after his patron. This Kutaiba bin Tughshâda was in after years executed at Samarcand by Abû Muslim, in the time of Nasr bin Sayyér, the Viceroy of Khurasan, for apostacy and rebellion in joining the insurrection of the Shia against the Sunni, which marked the early rivalry of these great Muhammadan sects in the early period of their prbgress here. And ten years later, Tughshâda himself, who had always been but a doûbtful convert, was assassinated at the instigation of the same Abû Muslim in the presence of Nasr, who was at that time at Samarcand ; and the historian records that his servants coming in cut the flesh from the body and carried away the bones to Bukhara. Nasr Sayyar, at this period, subjugated Farghana, and pushed an expedition across the pass into Késhghar, but without any more stable result than a useful reconnoissance of the country.

Tughshéda, at the time of his death, had reigned 32 years, and was succeeded in the government of Bukhara by his secdnd son, Sukan, who was assassinated in his palace at Farakhsha by his Arab Wazir on account of his relapse to idolatry and drunken habits. His brother, Banyât, then became Bukhar-Khidat: He joined the

rebellion of the Sufed Jamahgcdn   White dads," the followers of the " Veiled
Prophet" or Mucanna, in the time of the Khalif Mandi, and was captured and Warkhshi in his palace at arkhshi in 166H.=782 A.D.

In that year AWl 'Abbés was appointed Viceroy of Khurésan by the Khalif Mandi, the father of the famous Harlin Arrashid. He held his Court at the then capital of the province—Mary, and received many complaints of the frequent inroads of the pagan Turk upon the Saghd and Bukhara lands. They had recently raided Samdûn and carried off many of its people into slavery, and a deputation of the Chiefs consequently went to Mary to represent their grievance and seek protection. Abûl 'Abbas consulted them as to the best means of providing against the evil, and on the suggestion of Yazid bin Ghorak, Malik of Saghd, who said that an ancient Princess of the country had protected her territories from such inroads by ,a great barrier wall built along the frontier, gave orders for the construction all along the frontier of a defensive wall, with a gate and turret at every half mile. The wall was at once commenced by Amir Muhtahid bin Hamadi, the Governor of Bukhârâ, and was finished in 215H.=830 A.D., when Amir Muhammad bin Mans lr • was the Governor. It was maintained in repair by the labour of the people till the time of the Amir Ismail Sâmâni, who relieved them of the burthen, and the wall then soon fell to neglect and decay.

After the death of Banyât the government of Bukhârâ fell to the hands of successive members of the family. The last of the Bukhâr-Khidat' was Abu Ishâk, bin Ibrahim, bin Khâlid, bin Banyât, from whom the government passed into the hands of the Sâmâni family.

The founder of this great family was a Zoroastrian of the village of Sâmân, and traced his descent from the celebrated Bahrâm Chobin. He had been ousted from the government of Balkh, and sought redress at the hands of the Viceroy of Khurâsân, Asad bin 'Abdulla. He restored him to the government on his professing Islam, and the Sâmani, in proof of his sincerity and gratitude, named his first son after his patron and friend. This Asad had four sons, viz., Nall, Ahmad, Yahyâ, and Ilyâs, who all subsequently took prominent positions in the government.

When Rafi bin Laith of Sistân seized Samarcand, Hâran Arrashid sent Harithma bin Ayân with an army against him. He failed, however, to recover • the city, and Mâmûn—at this time joining Hâran in Khurâsân=called on the sons of Asad to aid his General. They in consequence intervened, and effected a settlement between Rafi and Harithma, and thus pacified Hiran, who feared the loss of all Khurâsén.

Shortly after this Hârtin died at Tas=Mashhad, and Mâman succeeded as Khalif. He appointed 'Asa bin 'Ubâd Viceroy of Khurâsân, and bid him provide for the sons of Asad in reward for their good service. Accordingly Nûh , was made