The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 14: Chach’s resolution in regard to the Samani.
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 14
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Chach’s resolution in regard to the Samani.
14.1
When Chach had come to know that Agham and his son had a compact with the Samani, and that it was owing to his sorcery, enchantments, magic and counsels, that the war had been prolonged for a year, he had sworn: “If I succeed in taking this fort, I shall seize the Samani, take off his skin, give it to low-caste people to cover drums with it and to beat them till it was torn to pieces.” pieces.’ When the Samani had received information of this oath, he had laughed and said: “It will never be within the power of Chach to destroy me.” When, after a time, the garrison in the fort of Brahmanabad, after battling hard and losing a large number of men, stopped fighting, sued for peace and asked for quarter, peace was made through the intervention of chiefs and heads of tribes between the two parties, and the fort was given up to Chach. Chach entered it and told them: ‘If you wish to go away, no living creature will oppose or prevent you; but if you make up your minds to stay here, then stay by all means.” When Agham’s son and dependents found him favourably inclined towards them, they preferred dwelling there. Chach remained in the town for some time in order to ascertain their disposition.
14.2
(During his stay at Brahmanabad), Chach sent for the mother of Sarhand (Agham’s widow). He made her his own wife, and gave the hand of the daughter of his nephew Déahiyah (or Dharsiah) to Agham’s son, and bestowed many-coloured robes on him. He remained there for one year, and appointed officers to collect Government dues, and brought the chiefs of those parts into complete subjection to himself. He then enquired where that sorcerer Samani was, in order to see him. He was informed that he was a monk and lived with other monks. “He is,” it was said, “one of the philosophers of Hind, and is the keeper of the Nawwihar temple. He is considered by the Samanis as having attained sublimity and perfection. In magic and enchantments, he is so clever that he has subdued a world of men and made them submit to his will. By means of his talismans, he can provide himself with all he wants. He has for many days co-operated with Sarhand, owing to his friendship with his father; and it was by his encouragement and support that the forces of Brahmanabad carried on such an obstinate and protracted war.” Chach then called all his armed men, and gave them the following instructions:—“I shall converse with him (the Samani) and make enquiries about his circumstances. (But) when I have done speaking and look towards you, you should draw your swords and sever his head from his body.’ He then came to Budh Kanwihar and repaired to him.
14.3
He found him sitting on a chair busily engaged in prayers, and with some hard clay in his hands with which he was making idols. He fixed a sort of seal on the idol, and the image of Budh appeared on it. The idol being now complete, he placed it on one side. Chach stood above him, but the Samani paid him no attention. After some time, when he finished all his idols, he turned up his head and said: “‘The son of the ascetic Seláij is come!’’ “Even so, O priestly Samani,” answered Chach. “What business has brought you here? ” asked the Samaní. “I came to know of your fidelity,’ replied Chach, “and so I came to see you.” ‘ Come down,” said the monk. Chach came down. The Samaní spread a handful of straw and made Chach sit on it. Then he asked him, “O Chach, what do you want?” Chach answered, “I want you to become my friend and to come back to the fort of Brahmanábád, so that I may put you in charge of a high office, and entrust you with important affairs and responsible duties. You will be there with Sarhand, and you may co-operate with him by giving him (the benefit of) your counsels and your judgment.” The monk said “I have no need of your kingdom. I do not feel inclined to have any civil employment, and I do not wish to have anything to do with worldly affairs.’ “Why did you leave the fort of Brahmanábád ?.” asked Chach.
14.4
“When Agham Luhánah died,” said the monk, “and this boy, his son, gave way to grief, owing to the loss of his father, I admonished him to have patience, and I have been praying to God most sincerely that he may bring about peace and friendship between both the parties.” “For me,” continued the Samaní, “the service of Budh and the seeking of salvation in the next world are better than all worldly employments. As, however, you are the sovereign of this kingdom, I will at your supreme command shift to the vicinity of the fort, although I fear that the people dwelling in the fort would cause injury and mischief to the sown fields of Budh. To-day, Chach is a great and wealthy personage.’ Chach said: “The worship of Budh is an excellent thing, and it is right to hold it in honour, But if you want anything, or if you have any request to make, speak that I may at once grant it and thereby secure (for myself) happiness and honour.” The monk (násik) said: “I do not want any worldly thing, nor have I any worldly request to make. May God graciously incline you to the affairs of the next world.” Chach said: “That is exactly my request, and I wish to do a deed which should have spiritual advancement and salvation as its reward. Tell me of it, and I will render my assistance and be your helpmate.” The Samaní said: “As you are determined to do some charitable act and add (to your) good deeds, (know that) the temple of Budh Nawwhár here is an ancient religious institution.
14.5
For some time past, owing to the vicissitudes of time, some parts of the structure have suffered injury. It should, therefore, be built anew, and you should spend your own funds in laying a fresh foundation. In this matter alone can I implore your help.” Chach said: “I am highly obliged to you.” Chach then rode back from that place (to Brahmanábád. On his arrival), the wazír observed, “O king, I have witnessed a wonder.” “And what is that?” asked the king. The wazír replied: “Your Majesty went with a firm resolution to direct your swordsmen to kill the monk. When, however, you went to his presence, you sought to please him and complied with his request.” “It is even so,” said Chach; “I saw something in which there was no magic or jugglery. I observed attentively, but I could see no signs of it. When I sat down by him, I saw a horrible and ghastly apparition standing at my (or his) head. Its eyes were fiery and full of anger, its lips thick and its teeth pointed like spears. It had rods in its hands, sharp and piercing like a diamond, (and it waved them), as if it was about to strike some person with them. I saw it and felt afraid, and I dared not speak to it so as to be heard by you. I pondered within myself for a while, and looked at it attentively and then left.” Chach then stayed at the fort of Brahmanábád till all the affairs of that country were settled, the dues of the Treasury fixed, and the welfare of his subjects was assured.
14.6
He degraded the Jats and the Luhánahs and bound over their chiefs. He took a hostage from them, and confined him in the fort of Brahmanábád. He imposed the following terms on these people, (the Jats and the Lúhánahs), namely, that they should not carry swords, except on occasions of urgent necessity; that their undergarment should be of some woollen cloth; that they should not wear velvet or silken cloth; that they might use scarfs of cotton thread, of black or red colour; that they must ride horses without saddles; that they must walk about bare-headed and bare-footed; that, when going out of their houses, they must take dogs with them; that they must supply firewood to the ruler of Brahmanábád; that they must serve him in the capacity of guides and spies; that, if they distinguished themselves for these qualities, they would be considered trustworthy and honest; that they must live in harmony and co-operate with king Agham’s son Sarhand; and that, if an enemy invaded the country, they should consider it their duty to stand by him and fight for him. In this way, Chach brought his affairs to a consummation and his sovereignty was (fully) established. If any person proved himself to be refractory, haughty or perverse, he compelled him to give solid security. In the case of some men of this class, he had recourse to another policy, viz., that he appointed them to some respectable posts. Thus, everything was ultimately set right.