The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 158: Arrival of Hajjáj's orders.

158

When the orders of Hajjaj reached Muhammad Kasim, he had left the city, and had gone a march. He directed the nobles, the principal inhabitants, and the Brahmans to build their temple, traffic with the Muhammadans, live without any fear, and strive to better themselves. He also enjoined them to maintain the indigent Brahmans with kindness and consideration, observe the rites and customs of their ancestors, and give oblations and alms to the Brahmans, according to former practice. They were to allot three dirams out of every hundred dirams capital, and to give them as much of this as should be necessary — the remainder was to be paid into the treasury and accounted for; it would be safe in the keeping of Government. They were also to settle allowances upon the officers and the nobles. They all fully agreed to these conditions before Tamim bin Zaidu-l Kaisi and Hukm bin 'Awana Kalbi. It was ordained that the Brahmans should, like beggars, take a copper basin in their hands, go to the doors of the houses, and take whatever grain or other thing that might be offered to them, so that they might not remain unprovided for. This practice has got a peculiar name among the infidels.