Abul-Qasim Babur Mirza, the Timurid ruler in Khurasan, had in 1454 invaded Transoxiana, then under the control of Abu Sa'id Mirza, in retaliation for the latter's seizure of Balkh.

He had quickly laid siege to Samarkand.

The conflict between the two soon ended, however, with the Oxus River agreed to as the border.

This has remained in effect until Babur's death in 1457.

Babur's son Mirza Shah Mahmud succeeds him but, as he is still a boy, his hold on power is weak.

Weeks after Babur's death, Ibrahim Mirza bin Ala-ud-Daulah overthrows Shah Mahmud and therefore becomes the ruler of Khurasan.

However, Abu Sa'id Mirza, invades in July 1457 and occupies Balkh but is unable to conquer Herat.

Ibrahim's troubles increase when Jahan Shah of the Black Sheep Turkmen invades as well.

After occupying Gurgan, he defeats Ibrahim outside Astarabad.

Ibrahim's father Ala-ud-Daulah Mirza bin Baysonqor meets up with him in Herat to offer assistance, but in the end they both flee from the region.