[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) › 17.9 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 17.9 The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 17.9 - **Language:** English ### [17.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.17.9) Verse.—Oh Ali, owing to your alliance (with the prophet) you are truly of high birth, and your example is great, and you are wise and excellent, and your advent has made your age an aya of generosity and kindness and brotherly love. Some of the narrators of this history have stated that the Commander of the Faithful, Usman son of Affan (with whom may God be pleased), wrote to Abdullah son of A’mir to send Hakim son of Hailah to Hind and Sind to gather information about that country, and so Abdullah nominated him for the work. When, after acquainting himself with the state of affairs there, he returned, and came to the son of A’mir, and gave him a detailed account of the rules of war and strategy and of the confederation and unity of the residents of the town and the country (in that part of the world), Abdullah sent him to Khalifah Usmán son of Affan (may God be pleased with him). When he arrived in the Khalifah’s presence and went through the usual formalities of paying respects, the Khalifah asked him: “O Hákim have you seen Hindustán and learnt all about it?” “Yes, O Commander of the Faithful,” replied Hákim. “Give us a description of it,” asked the Khalifah, and Hakim gave the following epigrammatic reply: “Its water is dark (and dirty); its fruit is bitter and poisonous; its land is stony, and its earth is saltish. - [Previous: 17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.17.8) - [Next: 17.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.17.10) - [Up: 17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.17.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.17.9) · Pramāṇa