The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 19: Appointment of Munzir son of Hárúd son of Bashar (as the Khalíf’s agent).
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 19
- Language
- English
Appointment of Munzir son of Hárúd son of Bashar (as the Khalíf’s agent).
19.1
Then the command fell to the lot of Munzir son of Hárúd son of Bashar. In the year 61 when under the orders of the Khalífah, Munzir put on the dress of honour (presented to him), and started for his post, his robe stuck to a piece of wood and was torn. ‘Ubaidulláh son of Ziyád became much grieved at this incident, and interpreted it as an evil omen signifying bad luck for Munzir. He bade him adieu, and returning to his place, wept for him, and said: “Munzir will never return from this journey, and will die.” Abdul Azíz asked the son of Ziyád: “So much money is being lost; are you not going to appoint anyone to go and collect the tribute.’’ ‘‘I have sent Munzir,’’ replied Ubaidullah, ‘‘as there is no one else who is his equal, in point of bravery and skill in fighting. If fortune favours him, he will return successful.” When Munzir started from there, and came to the country of the enemy, he fell ill at Barabi and gave up his soul to God. His son Hakam was then at Kirman and the sad news was communicated to him there. Munzir’s brother Abdul Aziz now applied for the vacant post, but Hajjáj coming to know of this (application) called Abdul Aziz and reprimanded him, observing: “A noble personage out of our grandees and chief men has sacrificed himself in the cause of the great God. His son is alive; are you so shameless as to apply for his post?”
19.2
It is related that when Hakam returned home, Ubaidullah was informed of the fact, and he wept and became very sad. He called the son and made a gift of 30,000 dirams to him. The administration of the affairs of Hind was (also) entrusted to him. When Hakam put on the robe of honour, every one was struck with his brave and undaunted appearance, and instantly Abdullah son of Aur Hawiri rose and recited the following verses:— Verses.—O Hakam son of Munzir son of Hárúd, Extremely generous (you are) yourself, and your generosity is praiseworthy; Follow a straight path—and follow it with dignity. May good befall you; May my lines be cast in the pleasant places of this prince of the generous.
19.3
It is related by the historians that when the Khalifate came into the hands of Abdul Malik son of Marwan, he gave (the governorship of) Irak, Hind and Sind to Hajjaj son of Yúsif. Hajjáj sent Aslam Kilábi to Makrán. When the latter arrived there Safahwi son of Lám Hammámi met him on his way. Said said to him: “I am going to get down here; will you join me and be my helper?” “I have no army under me,” replied Safahwi. “Are you so bold,” said Said, “as to disregard the request I make on the authority and in the name of the Khalifah.” “By God,” replied Safahwi, “I will not obey your command; I consider it below my dignity to do so.” Thereupon Said arrested him, and killed him, then he took off his skin, and sent his head to Hajjáj, and himself went to Makrán, and fixed his residence there. He appointed trustworthy men to collect the tribute, and by adopting gentle measures, he succeeded in securing more wealth from Hindustán (than was ever secured before). One day, he was coming to Márah-Bakhraj, when he accidentally encountered a party of Aláfis.
19.4
It is said in a tradition on the authority of Kaibat son of Ashas, that one day, Kublaibat son of Halaf Mughanní, Abdullah son of Abdur Rahím Aláfi, and Muhammad son of Muáwiyeh Aláfi, conspired among themselves, saying “Safahwi son of Lám was from our country. He belongs to Ammán and our part of the country jointly. How dared Said to kill a kinsman of ours?” So when they met him accidentally near Márah-Bakhraj, while he was coming to that place, (as said above) an altercation occurred between them, which ended in a fight and the Aláfis made an assault on Said and killed him. Thenceforth, they became permanent residents of Makran. On this event Farzdak composed the following verses :— Verses—“O Said, you prepared for the holy war, but the earth has closed its doors against you and held you fast in its bosom (that is, you lie buried now). The land of Makran—verily closed around Said—Said who was generous and from whose liberal fountain no bucket ever came forth empty, Hard was it to rouse you to anger, and courageous were the guards at your gate, (but alas, you are gone) ; When my eyes recall (your face), O Said, they shower unceasing tears and my grief is ever renewed.”
19.5
Said’s men returning home, Hajjaj became very angry with them, for returning without Said, and he asked them where their leader was. As they denied any knowledge on the point, Hajjaj ordered some of them to be beheaded. Then they stated the truth, and said that the Alafis had rebelled against him and killed him. Thereupon Hajjaj ordered a man of the family of Bani Kilab to kill Sulaiman Alafi. He then sent his head to the house of Said’s dependents and followers. He further consoled them, and showed much kindness to his relations, some of whom were the following :— Chach son of Aslam, Bashir son of Ziyad, Muhammad son of Abdurrahman, Ismail son of Aslam. These men, together with Said’s slaves and freed slaves, began to cry and lament loudly. Then Saisaah son of Muhammad Kilabi uttered the following verses :— Verses.—Gone is he (the hero)! How can our hearts be without sorrow, when we hear of that (heroic) story of Said ? His brothers have, for his sake, given up (as it were) their life ; (Time was) when even high game retreated before him, But when the hour struck—he was as if he was not ; And the decree of the Lord became manifest and man fell upon him ;
19.6
I see him, in my dreams, at Kandail—there he accords me an interview. Let not the fools of the market-place and new-fangled lordlings say anything against me, The writers of this history have related on the authority of Yazíd son of Khavffah who had received the information from Barkad son of Mughairah, and Umar son of Muhammad Yamímí, that when Hajjáj sent Mujá-ah son of Sadir to Khurásan, and the province of Kandáíl was conquered in the year 85, during the administration of Hajjáj, the Aláfís had left that part of the country before the arrival of Mujá-ah. The latter sent men after them to find them, but they went to Dáhar son of Chach, the ruler of Sind. Mujá-ah remained at Makrán for one year and then breathed his last.
19.7
In the year 86, Walíd son of Abdul Malik, who was a son of Marwán, became the Khalífah. He entrusted the management of foreign affairs to Muhammad Hárún. It is said by historians that when Mujá-ah’s life came to its close, Hajjáj son of Yúsif sent Muhammad son of Hárún to Hindústán, with full and absolute powers to command and to inhibit. He instructed him to make every effort to collect tributes (in arrear) for the royal treasury. Further he said: “Find out the Aláfís, and try your best to secure them, and exact the vengeance due to Said from them.” Accordingly, in the commencement of the year 86, Muhammad found one of the Aláfís, killed him, under those orders, and in the name of the Khalífah, and sent his head to Hajjáj. At the same time, he wrote a letter: “I have made one of the murderer of Saíd son of Aslam and of Bashír son of Isa Sáhib Inhat, who were the Aláfís food for the sword of the Khalífah; if my life lasts, and fortune smiles, I hope to capture the others also.” For five years Muhammad son of Hárún continued there, gaining victories both on land and water.