[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Conquests (711–1206)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest) › [Chachnāma](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama) › [The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg) › 13.1 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 13.1 The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 13.1 - **Language:** English ### [13.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.1) Wazir Budhiman bowed his head to the ground and said: “Long life to king Chach! May it be known to him that this metropolis and the whole kingdom were under the dominion of one king, and his chieftains were obedient and submissive to him, and were always attentive to his orders, and ready to do his bidding. When this kingdom came into the hands of Sahiras son of the senior Rai Sahasi, who was a son of Dewáij, and he was defeated and killed by the army of Fars, the kingdom devolved upon Sáhasi, (the younger,) and he appointed each of the four chiefs to each of the four divisions, in order that they might try their best to collect the revenue for the treasury, and to protect the country. Now that Your Majesty is anxious on this point, and wishes this anxiety to be removed from his mind, the only desirable and final arrangement necessary seems to be to prevent the very possibility of any unpleasant occurrence. For, otherwise, owing to the vicissitudes of time, such a terrible disaster might take place as could not easily be suppressed. When (by these precautionary measures) the government of the country is firmly established, and Your Majesty’s heart is at rest, the chiefs of the different divisions, and the kings of the bordering provinces would be favourably inclined to you and render service to you. ### [13.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.2) It is certain that, when by means of a brave army and furious elephants, tranquillity and stability are secured, God, the great cause of causes, will enable you to achieve victory and success, and to overcome your enemies and opponents. I am sanguine that the great God will strengthen the members and quarters of the kingdom; that all the four tributary rulers will place the chain of subjection on their necks; that all disorders will cease; that all the opponents will, from fear and awe of the sharp and well-tempered sword of Your Majesty, bring their heads to the halter of submission, and that this great and extensive kingdom that you have acquired with renown will abide with you to all eternity, and each day see its expansion. The king should, under all circumstances, fix his assiduous attention and desire on that end, and place full trust in the decrees of the Almighty, in order that He, with His august will and wisdom, may fulfil his wishes and realise his hopes.” Chach heard this discourse of the wazir Budhiman attentively, and what the wazir said, made an impression on his mind and produced comfort and joy in his heart. He praised him highly for his counsels and took his gladdening communication as a happy omen, and hastened to act accordingly. He sent trustworthy men to different directions and called upon the rulers of divisions to join him in his undertaking, which was to lead an army up to the limits of Hind, where it adjoined the country of the Tartars. ### [13.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.3) At an auspicious time, found out by astrologers after consulting the stars, he gave marching orders. After doing many a day’s journey and passing several stages, he arrived at the fortified town of Babiah, which is situated on the southern bank of the river Beas. The ruler of that fort commenced hostilities with him. But after a great and bloody battle the ruler of Babiah fled, and threw himself into the fort, and Rai Chach was the victor. He made a halt there, (laying siege to the fort,) for some time, during which corn became scarce, and the cutting of crops, grass and firewood impossible. When the people in the fort were reduced to this strait, the ruler of the place, one night, after the world had put on the black garment of night, and the king of stars had gone behind the dark curtain of night, left that fort, and went to that of Iskandah, and encamped in the suburbs of that town. This fortified town, too, belonged to him, and it was stronger than the first. When he bivouaced on a meadow attached to the town, he sent some men to gather information from the enemy’s camp. A spy soon came and said that Chach had entered into the fort of Babiah and was staying there. When Chach learnt that the ruler of Babiah had gone to the fort of Iskandah, he appointed an upright man out of the nobles of the country to be in charge of the fort, and himself started in the direction of Iskandah, and fixed his camp in the outskirts of that town. ### [13.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.4) Now, there was a brave chief in the fort of Iskandah, who had always been obedient and well disposed to Chach. He had great influence over the residents of the fort, both nobles and plebians, who always acted under his guidance and never went against his wishes. Chach sent a messenger to him, and offered to make him sole governor of the fort, and directed a royal order to be inscribed, containing a solemn promise to bestow the governorship on him, and also to hand over Babiah to him, as soon as he killed Jetar (or Chitra), the king of Babiah, or took him prisoner. The chief accepted the promise and the condition, and sent his son as a hostage to Chach. Then he took to visiting the ruler of Babiah so frequently, that he was never prevented from going to his presence either by night or by day. All of a sudden, one night, finding a favourable opportunity, he killed king Jetar and sent his head to Chach. Rai Chach showed him great favour, and granted him a robe of honour, with many other presents, and ordered the castle to be entrusted to him as its governor. Then all the nobles and chiefs of the town came to his presence, and delivered into his treasury many rich offerings. The king honoured them by receiving them well, and giving them an audience. He instructed and enjoined them to look upon the brave chief as their governor, and to consider it their duty to obey him, and never to contravene his behests. ### [13.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.5) After settling the affairs of Iskandah, Rai Chach moved in the direction of Sikkah and Multan. In Multan, there was a prince by name Bachhera, who was a near relation of Sahasi, and ruled over an extensive kingdom, and was a man of great ability. When he received the news of Chach’s arrival, he collected a large army, and came to the banks of the Ravi. His nephew Sabhol (or Sahewal) was the governor of the fortified town of Sikkah, opposite Multan, towards the east, and he with Bachhera’s cousin Ajaisen advanced with overwhelming numbers to meet Chach. Chach stationed himself at a ford on the Beas, and remained there for three months, till the floods subsided and the water went down. He then selected a village a little above his encampment, where there was no obstruction, and crossing the river, came to the town of Sikkah and met Sabhol in battle. He then invested the fort for some days, and when (its defenders) were pressed hard, and several of their brave comrades were killed and numberless kafirs went to hell, Sabhol quietly withdrew and went to the fortified town of Multan, and stood on the bank of the Ravi, equipped with the weapons of war and ready to fight. Chach Rai took possession of the fort (of Sikkah), and killed 5,000 warlike men who were in it, and made the other residents of the town prisoners, and secured a large booty and a great number of slaves. ### [13.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.6) Chach appointed the greatest of the nobles of the State to be temporarily in charge of the fort of Sikkah, and himself crossed over to Multan. There, the two armies met. King Bachhera came to the field with a numerous army, warlike elephants and brave soldiers, and confronted Chach. There was a great deal of hard fighting, and there was much bloodshed on both sides. Then Bachhera sought the fort, and sent letters to the king of Kashmir, informing him about Chach. “Chach son of Seláij Brahman,” wrote he, “has become the king of Alor, and has come with a large army. He has taken absolute possession of several forts, and we are unable to oppose him. He has brought many impregnable fortresses under his command, and no ruler has been successful in fighting with him. He has (now) come as far as Multan. (In this emergency) it is due to yourself that you should assist us, and send an auxiliary force to the border.” ### [13.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1.7) Before the messenger arrived at Kashmir, the king of that place had died, and his son, a minor, had succeeded to the throne. The ministers, the counsellors, the courtiers, the nobles and chief men of the State thought over the matter and gave the following polite reply to the above letter. “The king (Rai) of Kashmir has gone to his permanent abode, and his son is a child yet of tender years, and an inexperienced prince. His own soldiery are rising in mutiny and revolt in different parts of his country; and the affairs of these parts should be first set straight. At such a juncture (therefore), we cannot afford to help you or furnish you with the means of assistance. You must help yourself, as best you can.” --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1) · Pramāṇa