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The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 16 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [16.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1) — 7 parts - [16.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.2) — 9 parts ### Daharsiah goes to Alór in order to seize Déhar. ### [16.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.1) Daharsiah entertained hopes that, if Déhar remained negligent and careless, the fort would fall into his hands. He therefore made efforts in that direction. He rode on very fast, in the fashion of cavaliers giving exercise to their horses, and in one day and night he travelled twenty leagues, and early the next morning he arrived at Alór. Dahar (meanwhile) had made preparations to go on a hunting excursion. Just as his horse was brought to life. In such matters, even a son does not consider it proper to repose trust in his father, and a father does not consider it proper to repose trust in his son. If, however, you are determined to have your way, you must wash your hands of your life. From no point of view does this step appear to me a right one.” “Then what is the counsel of perfection for us in this matter?” asked Dahar. “The counsel of perfection,” replied the wazir, “for you is that you should shun your brother’s love and friendship and not be anxious to meet him. Better secure yourself within the walls of the fort, and act according to the words of the astrologers and soothsayers and follow their advice. No other plan will be of any good to you in this matter.” According to this suggestion, Dahar made up his mind and took shelter in the fort, and laid up stores of the articles that he considered necessary for the garrison, like grain, grass and firewood. He collected men, arms and appliances of war, and made himself quite ready to repulse the attack of the enemy. ### [16.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.2) Dahar then wrote a letter to Daharsiah, in which he expressed his respect and reverence and submission, (but) as to the affair of Bai he wrote as follows:— ‘Though Bai is connected with our father, she was born of a daughter of the Jats who, by their origin, are an adverse and criminal tribe. You will specially find when you come to know their true nature that, they are unworthy of trust and confidence, and are far from being honest and faithful. There is a well-known proverb which says ‘whoever caught hold of a sheep’s leg, got milk for himself, and whoever caught the hand of a Jat fell on his face.’ Thus when she is of foreign extraction, my marriage with her is lawful. Do not, therefore, insist any more upon your view. But if you still have any suspicion against me, I hereby solemnly promise and swear that, in everything I shall consider you my superior and will hold the fort of Alór as an agent of yours, and will never oppose you or quarrel with you, (Accept my compliments.’’ means of their science, that this princess would be the queen of Alór, and her husband would be the king who was to hold fast all these territories. To remedy and avert this unpleasant consequence, I took it upon myself to commit this shameful breach of royal etiquette and social rules. We now make the apology that what we considered expedient to do was done through necessity, and not of our own free will. Do therefore excuse us.” ### [16.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.3) When Daharsiah received this letter, he sent a reply in which he said: “What you have done is wicked and infamous. Whether you did it through necessity or of your own free will, you can never be excused, and whether you considered it allowable to do such an illegal and detestable act, in order to secure worldly pomp and power, or took the initial step by reason of the temptation of the devil, what you now ought to do is to turn from your evil ways, to forswear your sin, and to grieve (for your transgression), so that you may not be shut off from (the communion of) our religion, and our alliance with you may not be cancelled. If you fail to turn from this sin, in accordance with our suggestion and advice, you will make yourself deserving of opprobrium and will receive (your) punishment. You would have then to thank yourself for the consequences of these ugly deeds.” When this letter of Daharsiah came to Dahar, he thought of going to his brother. He consulted the wazír, saying: “Let me go to him at Bráhmanábád,” but the wazír said: “What good will that do you?” ### [16.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.4) The wazír continued: “Long life to the king! You have committed a great mistake in thinking of such an enterprise, (an enterprise) which can by no means secure you your heart’s desire, while its dangerous issue can no way be averted, except by the destruction of your life. When you are once in the presence of your brother, you must bid adieu to all hopes of your safety. If you believe that your brother will do you no despite, then you are harbouring what is a great impossibility in your mind. In matters relating to territory, wealth and woman, partnership or negligence is not allowable; for (if allowed) it is sure to end in danger to Rai Dáhar said: “Go and enquire from him foreign and home affairs, the general aspect of the kingdom, and the business of our State.” That man then rose and said: “Long live the king! Victorious and grand kings should not grudge to spend their leisure in the society of wise men, and in bestowing favours on learned men and teachers of morals and Brahmans, for they are our leaders and guides. It should be considered a bounden duty to visit them, and to reverence them. Their content leads to the increase of dignity and rank, and to the perpetuation of greatness and magnificence. It is also a good augury that, the person wishing to know about an event, should himself visit astrologers and put them questions personally and receive answers from them directly.” Dáhar fell in with this suggestion, and ordered a litter to be put on (his) elephant. ### [16.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.5) He came to the astrologer’s house. When the astrologer saw the king, he came forward to receive him, and said: “May the king live long! On what business has he come?” Dáhar said: “We have a question to put in connection with some military affairs which we want to take in hand, and we want you (also) to prognosticate the final issue of some State affairs, laws and statutes of the kingdom, and many other matters of importance.” The astrologer said: “All the auspicious stars are gazing at the rising star of your good fortune. There is no sinister quadrangular aspect of stars, nor any ominous aspect in the opposite quarter. This fort and this kingdom are allotted to you for several years and will remain in your possession. If your majesty happens to go on a journey, it will prove to be fortunate, and your majesty will return safe and happy to the throne of glory.” Then the king asked: “What do the stars say about my sister Bái’s fortune”; and the astrologer replied: “My calculations lead to the inference that she shall never go out of this fort of Alór and that no one shall be married to her except the king, who shall have the kingdom of Hindustán under his sway and dominion: this girl shall be united to him by the tie of marriage.” When the astrologer explained this matter to him, Dáhar became sunk in thought as to how that would come to pass. returned home, and disclosed everything to Budhiman the Téki Wazir, who was the prime minister of his father. ### [16.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.6) The wazir said to Dahar: “The administration of a large kingdom is a delicate matter; and for a king of (many) regions and institutions and armies and servants, to cut off his connection with his kingdom is an affair of pith and moment. Illustration.—There are five things, which, when they shift from their proper places, have a sorry look, viz, 1st a king (when shifted) from his kingdom; 2nd a minister from his ministership; 3rd a (learned) spiritual guide from his disciples; 4th hair and teeth (from their original positions); and 5th the breasts of women (from their position in youth). When these move beyond their proper places, they cease to be graceful. For the sake of (their) kingdom, kings bring their brothers and relations to death, or else banish them from their country. They do not allow adherents or dependents to intermeddle with or share their sovereignty. When a king retires from his kingdom, he becomes reduced to equality with the common people, and, as the astrologer has thus directed, you ought to marry your sister and seat her with you on the throne. ### [16.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16.1.7) Though you shall have to abstain from her conjugal society she will (still) be called your wedded wife, and the kingdom will (thus) remain with you.” Dáhar called to him those 500 Thákurs, who were (now) among his chief and confidential men, and said: “In all matters I repose full trust and confidence in your ability and bravery, and I cannot do without your counsel and advice, and my orders are executed, throughout my territories, with your help. Astrologers have now predicted that the princess Bái shall never go to any other place from this fort, and that he shall be her husband, who shall retain this country in his possession for a long time. It is not meet that this kingdom be transferred to other hands, and you ought to think over this matter. To cut oneself off from a kingdom is a very difficult thing, and what wazír Budhiman considers expedient involves a great disgrace, is immoral and will bring dishonour on our Brahman family. When this disagreeable news reaches the ears of other kings of our time, and is in the mouths of the public, they will excommunicate us, and a confusion will arise in our religion.” ### [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](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.16) · Pramāṇa