ABSTRACT
The first few years of Iskandar's reign were peaceful. However, things changed as soon as Pir Muhammad died in 1567, for with his passing Iskandar lost a valuable supporter, and any claim to legality as ruler by proxy. Before that happened, Pir Muhammad was to play the leading part in a farcical episode involving Iran. Having failed to acquire Bukhara in 1561, he had feared an attack by his neighbours, but this had not materialised. After Pir Muhammad's death Baba Sultan began to take a much greater interest in the affairs of the khanate and he was a thorn in 'Abdallahs side until his death in 1582. In early November 1572, after crushing Baba Sultan's troops with the help of Jawanmard 'Ali and his son Abu 'l-Khair, 'Abdallah gathered an army and marched on Balkh.
