Amir Suri was the King of the region of Ghor from an ancient dynasty who was defeated by Mahmud of Ghazni and the region conquered by him . According to Minhaju-S Siraj, Amir Suri was captured by Mahmud of Ghazni, made prisoner along with his son and taken to Ghazni, where Amir Suri died.[1] Mandesh is the historical name by which the mountain region of Ghor was called .[2]
| “ | It is said that Amir Suri was a great king and most of the territories of Ghor were in his possession. But as many of the inhabitants of Ghor of High and low degree had not yet embraced Islam, there was constant strife among them. The Saffarians came from Nimroz to Bust and Dawar, Yakub Lais overpowered Lak-Lak, who was the chief of Takinabad, in the country of Rukhaj. The Ghorians sought the safety in Sara-sang and dwelt there in security but even among them hostilities constantly prevailed between the Muslims and the infidels. One castle was at war with another castle, and their feuds were unceasing; but owing to the inaccessibility of the mountains of Rasiat, which are in Ghor no foreigner was able to overcome them, and Shansbani Amir Suri was the head of all the Mandeshis.[3] | ” |
The region was governed under a Malik named Suri and the population was not yet converted to Islam[4].
| “ | His son Mohammad who was attacked by Mahmud Ghaznawi is also stated in the Rauzat al Safa to still been a pagan despite his name, and Al Otbi calls him a Hindu . Mahmud took his stronghold in the year 400 (1009) and carried the chief into captivity , where he is said to have poisoned himself . His son Abu Ali was put in his place by Mahmud , no doubt had embraced Islam , and is said to have built Masjids .Nevertheless he was seized imprisoned by his nephew and Abbas after Massud had succeeded to the throne of Ghazana [5] | ” |
Amir Suri has also been referred to as Ibn I Suri,
| “ | It was also the last stronghold of an ancient religion professed by the inhabitants when all their neighbors had become Muhammadan. Mahmud of Ghazni defeated the prince of Ghor Ibn –I-Suri, and made him prisoner in a severely-contested engagement in the valley of Ahingaran. Ibn-I-Suri is called a Hindu by the author, who has recorded his overthrow; it does not follow that he was one by religion or by race, but merely that he was not Muhammadan [6] | ” |