The Year 598 [1201–1202]
This chapter deals with the events of the year 598 (1201-1202) in the lifetime of Ibn al-Athir. It gives an account of Khwarazm Shah’s reconquest of his lands that the Ghurids had taken. The siege of Nishapur by Khwarazm Shah was a long one as ‘Ala’ al-Din was expecting help from Ghiyath al-Din. When relief was slow to come, ‘Ala’ al-Din sent to Khwarazm Shah asking for terms for himself and the Ghurid troops with him. The chapter describes Khwarazm Shah’s siege of Herat and his withdrawal. Khwarazm Shah feared that Shihab al-Din would arrive with his troops and it would be impossible to maintain the siege, so he sent to the emir of Herat, ‘Umar al-Marghani, about making peace. The year also witnessed the death of Banfasha (Amethyst), the concubine of the Caliph al-Mustadi’ bi-Amr Allah.