[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) › 16.2 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 16.2 The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 16.2 - **Language:** English ### [16.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.1) When wazir Budhiman went home, he took a sheep in hand, and in its hair he scattered earth and mustard-seed, and threw water. He continued (this treatment) for several days and nights, till the whole (animal) became green (by the seeds sending off shoots). He then drove it out, and crowds of people, great and low, urban and rural, gazed at it in wonder. This went on for 3 days. Thereafter though the sheep wandered all about the town, no one paid any attention to it, and it was clean forgotten. The wazir (then) said: "O king whatever happens, whether good or evil, the people's tongues wag about it for 3 days only; thereafter no one remembers whether it was good or evil. Anyhow, you ought so to act that you may not be cut off from the kingdom—that this matter may be (quietly) settled, and this assembly (of nobles) may not fall off from their allegiance to you." Dahar then turned for advice to those 500 men, on whose word he placed full reliance, and in whose valour and courage he always trusted, and who, on their part, used to listen to his commands attentively, and conform to his words and deeds. These men unanimously declared: "We are ready to obey the king's order with all our heart. There is no doubt that kings derive pleasure from their kingdom. ### [16.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.2) If this State is transferred to some other person, whether he be the king's brother or a stranger, the loss to the king will be all the same." Thus when all of them agreed to the proposal, Dahar went and put his own scarf on his sister's head, and adorned her with rings and other ornaments (as his bride). He then placed his own sword in her lap, and with that (in lieu of the bridegroom) all the familiar nuptial ceremonies were performed. Then he tied a corner of her scarf to that of his own, and seated her on the throne of the kingdom by his side under the (royal) canopy. This event became the talk of high and low, and attained (great) notoriety and publicity. Then Dahar wrote a letter to his brother, couched in him, however, a horseman suddenly appeared, accompanied by a few other men riding by his side. When he reached the gate of the fort the gate was closed, and armed men appeared over the battlements. Daharsiah stood at the gate, and asked the gate-keeper to open it, and admit him into the fort. But the man in charge of the fort did not open the gate, and stood ready for a fight. Daharsiah (then) sent a man to Dahar with the following message: “I have not come to fight with you. This fort was the capital city of my father, and from him it has descended to me. You received charge of it from me as my agent, and the kingdom is mine. There never have been two crowns in one country. ### [16.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.3) Give up the possession of this territory, and hand over the fort to my trustworthy officer.” Dahar replied: “Fix your camp outside the fort, and send your confidential nobles to assure me of your good faith. Then I shall come out and surrender the fort to you.” When Daharsiah understood that Dahar meant to evade his demand, and that his (Dharsiah's) stratagem had failed, he crossed the river Mehran and encamped (on the other side). He then began to ponder the best method for securing Dahar. He thought he should, at first, evince friendliness and kindness, and behave gently as a brother and kinsman, so that Dahar might easily come out of the castle. (With that object) he sent some of his nobles and grandees to him, hoping that he would be gained over by them, but (this plan) also miscarried. Dahar sent for his wazir Budhiman and told him: “Daharsiah shows so much friendliness and courtesy that, my mind suggests I should go out and secure the good-will of my elder brother. I think he will not be annoyed with me, or reject my apology.” The wazir said: “O king you should not believe his word. Be not deceived by his tricks and his flatteries, and mind not what he says, because kings are crafty, and oaths and solemn affirmations are but their traps of treachery, with which they catch their enemy. They speak soft and sweet and play many a tune, simply to gain their object. ### [16.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.4) Among the rules of conduct (prescribed) for kings, one is that an enemy should be reduced to submission by tricks and deceit. You ought, therefore, to act (with due caution). No means of escape are available to him who falls into the net of calamity. (If you trust him) you will certainly be afflicted and injured by Daharsiah, and you will find yourself caught in the trap of disaster and confined “in the cage of trouble and misery, and will not again have any means of setting yourself at liberty.” Dahar said: “Though there is a risk, and one cannot be sure of safety, a brother is after all a brother.” He then sent word to Daharsiah to the effect that he (Dahar) was ready to agree to his proposal and come out to meet him, if Daharsiah would give him assurance of his safety. Prince Daharsiah thereupon wrote a letter, in which he took an oath in very strong terms, and said: ‘In order to win your trust I will come alone to see you, while you may come out with your whole retinue.’ Both of them agreed to this condition, and appointed the time and place of meeting. Next day, when the disc of the sun, in the firmament, arose in the east, and the world threw off from its shoulders the sable cloak (of night), Daharsiah sat on an elephant, and entered the town of Alór by the western gate. The town officer (kótwál) sent a trustworthy person to Dahar, informing him that Daharsiah had come to the door of the fort and asking for orders. ### [16.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.5) Dahar ordered the door to be opened, and Daharsiah admitted alone. Accordingly Daharsiah was brought in. Dahar now called wazir Budhiman and said to him: “Daharsiah is come into the fort; now that he has come, I should undoubtedly go to him. Even if he requires me to go out with him, I will not disobey him. What is your opinion in this matter?” The wazir said: ‘You should not depend upon his word. From what I have heard from his troopers, it appears that he intends to behave treacherously. In the first place, it was a mistake to bring him into the fort. Now when he has once come in, if you do not think it proper to kill him, at least put him into prison and keep him confined there, till a settlement is made between you both on solemn conditions. Otherwise the fate of this kingdom will be different from what you wish it to be. (Be good enough) to hear my counsel; your views on this matter are far from being right.” Dahar paid no heed to the words (of his wazir), and Daharsiah came riding on his elephant to the very door of the palace. Dahar ran to him on foot, and welcomed him in respectful terms, and asked him to dismount and enter the palace. But Daharsiah replied: “I will not dismount. ### [16.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.6) Come and take your seat here on the elephant that we may go out, and sit together for a while and talk of our joys and griefs, so that the people, noble as well as common, may know that there are no quarrels or differences between us, that we are reconciled again, and that no malice or calumny will ever find a way to part us. This news will spread throughout the world, and our enemies will all be ashamed and depressed, and our friends will be highly pleased and satisfied. After we have enjoyed each other’s company and conversation, you may safely return to your palace.’’ Dahar did not hesitate to comply with his request, and was ready to do as his brother wished. Wazir Budhiman thereupon felt much grieved, and became very anxious as to the final result of this trick of Daharsiah. The latter now ordered his elephant driver to move the animal forward so that Dahar might take his seat, and wazir Budhiman (then) immediately mounted his horse and rode off by the side of his master, till he arrived near the gate. Dahar now repented, and, feeling afraid, turned towards the wazir Budhiman, and whispered to him: ‘‘What is your opinion? I do not think it right to go out.” The wazir replied: ‘‘You have obstinately rejected my counsel. You have not followed the methods of Nahush and Constantine, and you now want Kanauj” (that is want me to do the impossible). ### [16.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.7) “Make haste,’’ urged Dahar, “say, what plan I should resort to, as my mind does not encourage me to go out.” “There is no other plan,” replied the wazir, “than that when you come to the gate, hold fast to its upper part, and detach yourself from the elephant, so that the animal may pass out, and we will then close the door and take you down.” Dahar liked this plan: (so) when he came to the gate and the front half of the elephant passed out, Dahar stretched his hands and caught hold of the top of the door frame and detached himself from the elephant. The elephant passed out and Budhiman closed the gate of the fort and Dahar was gently taken down. When Daharsiah looked back he did not see Dahar and found the gate of the fort closed fast. He then became very sad and returned dejected to his camp, and then, as soon as he dismounted from the elephant, he was attacked by fever. On the next day, small-pox appeared on his person, and on the fourth day he died, and gave his dear soul to the winds (of heaven). When Dahar received the news of this sad event, he wished to go out to cremate the corpse of his brother, and perform his obsequies. (But) wazir Budhiman said to him: “May the king live long! Do not be in a hurry, for kings, sometimes, play tricks of this sort, and pretend death. When you go to attend his funeral ceremonies, he will undo you; and when once you are in his clutches, it will be vain to regret and to lament. There is a parable in this connection. ### [16.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.8) When a fox is tired of waiting for its victim, it makes believe it is dead, in order that carrion-eaters might collect (to eat its apparently dead body). Then it jumps up, and catches them, and eats them. A king should never consider himself safe from an enemy. You had better send a confidential servant first to investigate and to enquire, so that the truth may come out.” Accordingly a trustworthy person was despatched (to Daharsiah’s camp). He found all his grandees and nobles in sorrow and mourning, according to the custom of the time. He approached them and said: “I am sent by king Dahar to enquire after the health of Daharsiah, and I see you all mourning; pray, what is the matter?” Two of the nobles arose, and led him to where Daharsiah was lying, in order that he might see for himself. (Finding that Daharsiah was dead) he expressed great grief. The nobles gave Daharsiah’s ring to the messenger as a proof of the truth of the sad news, and sent him back. When the messenger communicated the sorrowful news to Dahar and gave him the ring, the latter, without any more thought or delay, came out with all his friends and nobles, and, crossing the waters of the Mehran, arrived at the camping ground. He entered his brother’s tent, and, when he saw him (lying dead), he tore his clothes (out of grief), threw off his turban, and took to mourning with cries and groans. ### [16.2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2.9) He then ordered a large quantity of sandal-wood to be collected, and with he burnt the dead body of Daharsiah, and performed the usual mourning ceremonies. The next day he took possession of his brother’s treasury, and took his servants and other dependents under his own protection. For a space of one month, thereafter, he stayed at Alór. He (then) married his brother’s widow, who was Agham Lúhánah’s daughter, and moved to the fort of Brahmanábád, and fixed his quarters there. The reign of Daharsiah lasted for 30 years. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2) · Pramāṇa