The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 19.7

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.