Abu Nasr lived during the lifetime of his suzerain, the
Samanid ruler
Nuh II (r. 976 – 997). Abu Nasr was fond of learning, and his court was visited by many scholars, whom he patronized. He also had a young son named
Shah Muhammad. When his son became an adult, Abu Nasr abdicated in favor of him, and began completely focusing on increasing his knowledge. However, in 994, the
Simjurid rebel
Abu 'Ali Simjuri, whose family's power had grown strong, invaded Gharchistan, thus forcing Abu Nasr Muhammad and his son Shah Muhammad to flee from their homeland to a fortress, where they fortified themselves. Luckily for the Shar family, the
Ghaznavid prince
Sabuktigin, who was a Samanid vassal, shortly attacked Abu 'Ali, and managed to repel the latter to
Gurgan, thus giving the Shars the opportunity to reconquer their homeland. However, in 998, the Ghaznavids under
Mahmud had grown so powerful that they declared independence from the Samanids, and soon began subduing the vassal states of the Samanids, including Gharchistan. In 1012, Mahmud used Shah Muhammad's bad behavior as an excuse to invade his domains in 1012. Abu Nasr did not resist the invasion, and quickly surrendered to the Ghaznavid troops, while Shah Muhammad chose to fight the Ghaznavid troops, but was defeated and captured. While Shah Muhammad was treated badly during his captivity, Abu Nasr was treated with respect and was honored. Mahmud's vizier
Ahmad Maymandi also greatly honored him, and even tried to protect him. Abu Nasr later died in 1015 or 1016, but his family is some decades later mentioned as serving the
Ghurids. == Sources ==