Ibn Khallikan
Like his father, Tughj served the Abbasids, but later entered the service of the Tulunids, who since 868 had become autonomous rulers of Egypt and Syria. According to Ibn Khallikan, Tughj first entered the service of Lu'lu', a "ghulām" of the Tulunid dynasty's founder Ahmad ibn Tulun, but then went on to serve under the governor of Mosul, Ishaq ibn Kundaj, until after Ibn Tulun's death in 884. Ibn Tulun's death seemed to present an opportunity for his enemies capture some of the Tulunid in Syria from his inexperienced son and heir, Khumarawayh. Ibn Kundaj and another strongman, Ibn Abu'l-Saj, as well as the Abbasid regent, al-Muwaffaq, attacked the Tulunids, but in the event Khumarawayh proved victorious, and Ibn Kundaj was forced to acknowledge his suzerainty in 886/7. During the negotiations between Ibn Kundaj and Khumarawayh, according to Ibn Khallikan, the latter noticed Tughj and was struck by his appearance, taking him into his service.