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and by far the more brilliant part of Eibuk's career was finished before he became independent, for he afterwards reigned only four years, and died in 1210. He had displayed considerable tact in strengthening his position by affinity.

He himself married the daughter of Eldoz, who ruled supreme in Ghuznee; his sister he gave in marriage to Nasir-u-din Kubachi, who held a delegated sovereignty in Scinde; and his daughter he gave in marriage to Altamsh, who, though purchased with his money, held the first place in his esteem, and possessed talents which ulti- mately made him his successor.

Eibuk's affinity with Eldoz did not produce the cordiality which might have been anticipated. They not only quarrelled, but proceeded to open war, and carried it on with a virulence which brought each of them alternately to the brink of ruin. Nasir-u-din never thought of disputing Eibuk's authority; and so long as his brother-in-law lived, was perfectly satisfied with a delegated sovereignty. He was not disposed, however, to yield the same deference to Altamsh, and made himself independent ruler of Mooltan and Scinde.

Shortly after Altamsh had secured his position as Eibuk's successor, the whole of Asia was thrown into consternation by the appearance of Ghenghis Khan. Originally a petty Mogul chief, he had become the acknowledged sovereign of all Tartary, and, at head of its countless hordes, burst through its mountain passes with irresistible fury. The Sultan of Kharism, at whom the first blow was struck, deserved it for the treachery and barbarity of which he had been guilty, in murdering the ambassadors of Ghenghis; and the penalty was not more than the crime, when he fled to die broken - hearted on a solitary island of the