[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 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 13: Budhiman gives an account of the boundaries of the territorial possessions of Rai Sahasi. The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 13 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [13.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.1) — 7 parts - [13.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13.2) — 7 parts ### Budhiman gives an account of the boundaries of the territorial possessions of Rai Sahasi. ### [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.” ### [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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.13) · Pramāṇa