[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) › 13.2 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 13.2 The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 13.2 - **Language:** English ### [13.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.1) When the messenger returned, and Bachhera received this news, he despaired of getting any aid from the king of Kashmir, and sued Rai Chach for peace, with solemn promises and covenants, and prayed for an assurance of protection in writing, in order that, quitting the fort in safety, he might proceed without being molested by any one, with all his followers, dependents, and adherents, to a place of refuge. Chach agreed to this proposal, and gave him the assurance of protection asked for. Bachhera (then) came out of the fort, and with his followers and dependents proceeded to the mountains of Kashmir. Chach occupied the fort, and became absolute master of the country. When the fort of Multan was taken, Chach appointed a Thakur as his lieutenant there, and he himself went to an idol temple, which stood in a retired and solitary place, prostrated himself before the idol, offered sacrifices, and then proceeded on his forward journey. The governors of Brahmapur, Karor and Ashahar paid their homage to him, and from these places he came to the borders of Kih (or Kumba) and Kashmir. During the whole of this journey, no king opposed him or put any obstacle or impediment in his way. So true is it that, whenever the Great King (of the Universe) makes a man great, He makes all his difficult undertakings easy for him and gratifies all his desires. ### [13.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.2) Every place where he arrived surrendered to him, and (thus victorious) he reached the fort of Shakalhar, higher up the town of Kih (or Kumba), which is said to be the boundary of Kashmir, and where he stayed for a month. (During that period), some of the rulers of the surrounding region were coerced into submission, while others voluntarily paid homage to him and tendered their allegiance. He imposed definitive compacts on the nobles and rulers of those parts, and the stability of the kingdom was completely secured. He then ordered two young plants to be brought; one a maisir, or white poplar, and the other a deodar, or fir tree. He planted both of them on the boundary of Kashmir upon the banks of a stream called the Panj Mahiyát, which is close to the hills of Kashmir, and takes its origin from the springs of that mountainous region. He remained there till the branches of the two trees interspersed with each other: Then he bade farewell to the spot, and declared: “This is the boundary line between us and the Rai of Kashmir, and there will be no passage beyond it.” The recorder of this conquest states that, when the eastern boundary was fixed, Chach returned from there and came to the capital city of Alor. He stayed there for a period of one year, and rested from the fatigue of the journey, and his chiefs collected a large number of the appliances and weapons of war. Then he told the wazir: “My heart is free from anxiety in regard to the eastern boundary; ### [13.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.3) now we ought to acquaint ourselves with the south.” The wazir said: “Indeed, one of the best habits of kings is that they should constantly enquire about the affairs of their country. It is possible that, owing to your long absence in the upper divisions, the nobles and rulers of those (southern) parts may have a haughty notion in their heads that, after Rai Sahasi, there is no one to exact revenue from them. Truly transgression and disorder have found their way there.” Then, in an auspicious hour, Chach started for the fortified towns of Mudapur (or Budhapur) and Siwistan. In the fort of Siwistan, there was a governor whose name was Mattah. Chach, with a firm resolution, crossed the waters of the Mehran at a village called Wahtét (or Diháyat), which forms the boundary between Sammah and Alor. From there, he proceeded towards Budhiah. The ruler of this latter place, at that time, was Basámi Kotad son of Bandar Kébhkó, and his capital town was Sawis). Chach marched against them and conquered the fort of Siwis. Katah (or Kaba) son of Kékah came forth, and asked protection for his father and his followers. They imposed a tribute upon themselves and they all submitted. ### [13.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.4) From that place, Chach marched towards Siwistan. When he approached that city, Mattah, the Governor, advanced with great pomp and large numbers and gave him battle, in which Chach was victorious. Mattah fled with his forces and shut himself up in the fort. Chach laid siege to it and stood ready to fight. After a week, the garrison became dispirited and asked for quarter, and on receiving a solemn promise (of safety), they came forth and handed over the keys of the castle to the officers of Chach, who gave them protection and showed kindness to them. He entrusted the rulership of the place to Mattah, and appointed a superintendent (Shahnah) out of his own confidential men (to represent his interests at the place). He stayed there for a few days, till the affairs of that part of the country were satisfactorily settled, and peace was re-established in that town. ### [13.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.5) When the affairs of Siwistan were completely put in order, he sent a mandate to Agham Luhánah the Prince of Brahmanabad, that is to say, the ruler of (the tribes of) Luhánah, Sammah and Sahtah, calling upon him to submit to him. After a few days, some guards whom he had placed on the high roads in the direction of Makrán happened to seize a man, bearing letters of Agham addressed to Mattah, the ruler of Siwistan, the purport of which was shortly this:—"I have always behaved towards you as a friend and well-wisher, and have, on no occasion, acted against you or quarrelled with you. I acknowledge the receipt of the letter which you sent to me by way of friendship. You honoured me therein by the assurance that, as long as our union and friendship lasts, no enemy will approach us. I am ready to do your behests, and to carry out completely every one of your orders. You are a king and the son of a king. There exists perfect harmony between us and you. Misfortunes like these have befallen many persons and compelled them to seek refuge. You are at liberty to fix your residence at any town you choose in the territories dependent on Brahmanabad, down to the sea, and to Debal. And if you intend to go somewhere else, none will obstruct you or molest you. I shall be helping you till you are safely settled somewhere. I possess sufficient troops and followers to be able to assist you.” But Mattah preferred going in the direction of Hind to the kingdom of Nirmal, called Bhatti (or Bhetti). ### [13.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.6) Then Rai Chach sent the following letter to Agham Lohanah:—“You consider yourselves kings of the time, from your power and grandeur, origin and lineage. Though I have not inherited this kingdom and sovereignty, and this wealth and affluence, this power and dignity, from my father and grandfather, and though this country has not been ours before, still my elevation and my improved fortunes are due to the grace of God. It was not by my army that I won them, but the One, the Peerless, the Incomparable, the Creator of the world has given me the kingdom by the blessing of Selaij; and it is from him that I receive help in every thing. I do not depend upon any other person for assistance. He is the Accomplisher of my undertakings and the Giver of help in all my movements. He is the Bestower of victory and success in all contests and oppositions. We have been graciously favoured with the blessings of both the worlds. If (you think) your power and prestige are the creation of your own bravery, courage, resources, and splendour, then without doubt, your fortunes will decay, and the vengeance of death is but the legitimate due of your soul.” ### [13.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2.7) Then Rai Chach marched against Agham Lohanah. Agham had gone from Brahmanabad on a tour in his territory. When he heard of Chach’s coming, he returned to Brahmanabad, and began to collect soldiers and arms. When Rai Chach arrived at Brahmanabad, Agham, ready for battle, came forth to meet him. After several renowned warriors were killed on both sides, Agham’s army was put to spiritual guide. When Agham betook himself to the fort, the Samani co-operated with him, but did not join in the fight. He was busy reading his books in his temple. When Prince Agham died, and his son was established in the government of the country, the Samani became anxious and afraid lest the principalities, property and estates should pass away from his (the Samani’s) hands. In that perplexity, he consulted his books in order to ascertain the decree of fate, and he learnt that the kingdom was destined to fall into the hands of Chach, whether he himself was favourably inclined towards Chach or not. Agham’s son (eventually) was sore pressed, and his army withdrew from the fight, and the fort fell into the hands of Chach, who kept a strong hold on it. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2) · Pramāṇa