The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 20: An account of the rarities and presents sent from Sarandeb for the Khalifah.
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 20
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An account of the rarities and presents sent from Sarandeb for the Khalifah.
20.1
It is related that the king of Sarandeb sent some curiosities and presents from the island of pearls, in a small fleet of boats by sea, for Hajjáj. He also sent some beautiful pearls and valuable jewels, as well as some Abyssinian male and female slaves, some pretty presents, and unparalleled rarities to the capital of the Khalifah. A number of Mussalman women also went with them with the object of visiting the Kaabah, and seeing the capital city of the Khalifahs. When they arrived in the province of Kazrun, the boat was overtaken by a storm, and drifting from the right way, floated to the coast of Debal. Here a band of robbers, of the tribe of Nagamrah, who were residents of Debal, seized all the eight boats, took possession of the rich silken cloths they contained, captured the men and women, and carried away all the valuable property and jewels. The officers of the king of Sarandeb and the women informed them that the property was intended for the Khalifah then regnant, but they paid no heed and said: “If there is anyone to hear your complaint, and to help you, purchase your liberty.” Then they all cried with one voice: “O Hajjaj, O Hajjaj, hear us and help us.” The woman who first uttered that cry belonged to the family of Bani Aziz. Wasat Asaadi states that when Debal was conquered he had occasion to see that woman, who was fair-skinned and of tall stature.
20.2
The merchants about Hajjaj that, when the Mussalman women were asked what they meant by calling Hajjaj to their help, they replied: “We were in a sleep-like repose and we were disturbed in it, and so we called him to save us from the cruel and unmerciful people, who had confined us in captivity.” Hajjaj now sent a messenger to Dahar, and addressed a letter to Muhammad Harun, in which he said: “Send a trustworthy officer along with this messenger Dáhir to tell him to set the Mussalman women at liberty, and to return the presents intended for the capital of the Khalifahs. He should also learn all about the women.” Hajjáj wrote also a letter to Dáhir and signed it with his own blessed hand, and gave it to the messenger. In that letter he couched many threats in very strong terms. When that letter reached Dáhir, Wázil, who was the secretary of Dáhir son of Chach, read it out. Dáhir heard the message that had been sent to him, and in reply he said: “That is the work of a band of robbers than whom none is more powerful. They do not even care for us.” When this reply was received, Hajjáj communicated the whole matter to Khalifah Walid son of Abdul Malik, and asked his permission to declare a religious war against Hind and Sind, but Walid hesitated to give the permission. Hajjáj then wrote again (showing the necessity of such a step), and eventually the Khalifah gave his permission.
20.3
Then Hajjáj appointed Abdullah son of Bahlán-Salmi to be in charge of Makrán, and he asked Bázil to go to Muhammad Hárún, and told him: “You must inform that officer when you arrive at Makrán so that he may send you 3,000 men.” Accordingly Bázil started with 300 brave men accompanied by Abdullah. Sailing by the sea of Ammán, Bázil arrived at the fortified town of Nerún. When Muhammad Hárún got Hajjáj’s letter, he sent a large army to Bázil, and (with that force) Bázil marched towards Debal. The residents of Debal sent a person to Dáhir at Alór, informing him of the arrival of Bázil at Nerún, and Dáhir hastened to send his son Jaisiah with 4,000 soldiers on horses and camels, who came by hurried marches to Debal, and encamped there. Bázil had already put to flight the warriors of Debal. But now Jaisiah came out with his forces and four elephants to give battle, and commenced fighting with the enemy. A pitched battle ensued which lasted from early morning to the close of the day. In the midst of the fight Bazil’s horse became frightened at the sight of the elephants, but Bazil took off his own turban and tied the eyes of the horse, and made an onset in which he sent 80 kafirs to hell, and became himself also a martyr. Then Jaisiah appointed a thakur to be in charge of the place, and left him 70 elephants and conferred Deh Makri upon him.