The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 20.2

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.