The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 28.1
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 28.1
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28.1.1
It is related by Banú Mustír Bahrí that from there Muhammad Kásim started in the direction of Armanbelah, and Muhammad Hárún also went along with him. Though he was not quite well he willingly joined Muhammad Kásim in his undertaking. But on account of the troubles of the journey, and repeated attacks of illness, he grew worse. When they arrived at the camp of Armanbelah, his life came to its close, and he gave up his precious soul to God. His body was buried at that place. From there, Muhammad Kasim started with his army for Debal. At that time Jaisiah son of Dahar was at Nerun. He wrote a letter to his father informing him that Muhammad Kasim had come from the Arab empire, with an army, and had arrived in the vicinity of Debal, and asking for orders to go and battle with him. Dahar called the Alafis, and made enquiries from them (about the Arab general). The Alafis told him “Muhammad Kasim is a cousin to Hajjaj. He has a very large army with him, consisting of famous warriors, sons of nobles and chiefs, brave soldiers and horses, all well equipped and quite prepared to fight with you. Do not oppose them at all, for, a man from the family of Samah has just arrived and states that every horseman in this Arab army is come determined to take revenge against Dahar.” Hearing this Dahar forbade his son to fight with the Arabs.
28.1.2
When Muhammad Kasim conquered Armanbelah, he received a letter from Hajjaj at that very place. It contained instructions in the following words: “When you arrive at stages, within the limits of Sind, and come within sight of Debal, be very careful about your camping places. When you arrive at Nerun, dig a ditch round your camp, that it may give you protection and safety. Be awake for the greater part of the night; and let those of you, who can read the Koran, be busy reading it, while the rest should devote their time to prayer and be watchful at the same time. Make taciturnity an ornament of yours. Be repeating the praises of the great and glorious God, and ask help of the divine grace that the most glorious and most high God may give you assistance. Seek His protection by often reciting the well-known religious saying: ‘There is no power nor virtue but in God, the great and glorious.’” When you come in the vicinity of Debal, make a ditch, 12 cubits wide and 6 cubits deep. When you hear enemy, be silent; and (even) if the enemy shout at you, “and use obscene language, and assault you, do not engage in (a pitched) battle, till I send orders to that effect. You will be constantly hearing from me, and you must make it a point to follow literally the instructions I may give you, and the plan I may suggest. By taking my opinion as the right one, and following it, you will be successful in your undertaking, if the great God wills it.
28.1.3
When the expedition marched out from Armanbelah, Muhammad Kasim appointed Sahib son of Abdurrahman to lead the van, and Jehm son of Kais Jaafi to bring up the rear. He put Utbah son of Saad Aofi in charge of the right wing, and Músa son of Sinán son of Salmah Hazli in charge of the left. The remaining warriors and swordsmen and selected soldiers, who formed the flower of the army, were put in the centre to go in front of him. In this order, the army marched on till, on Friday, the 10th of Muharram of the year 73, they arrived in the vicinity of Debal. The boats containing the weapons and implements of war also arrived, the same day, under Hazim son of Amri, and Abu Mughairah, and despatches from Hajjáj were handed over to Muhammad Kásim, who had ordered a big ditch to be made in order to fight with the enemy at an advantage. The contents of these despatches were as follows: “I have appointed very respectable men in your service. One of them is Abdurrahman son of Salm Kalbi whose bravery and prowess have been put to trial on several occasions, and whom no enemy will ever be able to oppose in a skirmish or a battle. Another is Safyán Abrad, who is famous for his wisdom and rectitude, and is honest and righteous. There is also Kais son of Bark Kilábi, who is generous, honourable and true. In any task entrusted to him he will acquit himself creditably, and to your entire satisfaction. He is free from foibles, and has always been of great help to Hajjáj.
28.1.4
Jarrah son of Abdulláh again is a man of vast experience, and has seen many battles. He is to be preferred to many a man of wisdom and learning. Then there is Mujashiah son of Nadbah Azdi. All these men are the pick of my personal staff, I have no others more trustworthy and righteous than these. I am sanguine that they will never go against your wishes, and will never take the side of your enemies. Out of the men, to whom I have referred above in my letter, I may particularly mention Hazim son of Amr than whom there is none dearer to me, on account of his bravery and lion-heartedness. He is one of the selected few, who are very honourable, and is known for truthfulness and honesty, like his father and his forefathers. When Hazim becomes your friend, I shall not entertain any fear, since he is gifted by nature, with virtuous habits and an approved character. He will never allow any creature to work against you or to harm you. Never keep him aloof from you. When you read my letters, neither eat nor drink till you have written a reply to me communicating the state of affairs there in full detail.”
28.1.5
Hajjaj was particularly fond of Amir Muhammad Kasim, and, owing to his excessive love, he, after Muhammad Kasim’s departure and in his absence, on several occasions, gave alms and offerings, and asked blessings for him. Bakr son of Wáil, and Adil son of Farah, were intimate friends of Muhammad Kasim. They sacrificed a camel for his safety and success, in his absence, and paid its price from the ornaments of their wives and daughters, in order that it should be a lawfully obtained property. Adil read the following verses:— Verses.—“They laid violent hands on the ornaments of their daughters, Not leaving even their golden wristlets and necklets, The girls, with their ears reft of pearls and rubies, almost lost their identity, And could hardly be recognised when seen on their riding animals (donkeys). The Amirul Mominin (Commander of the Faithful) sent the sacrificers an invitation (to take from him what they might need), but they did not accept the invitation and disobeyed the order.” The far-seeing philosophers and the judicious sages have related on the authority of Abul Hasan, who said that he had heard it from Abi Muhammad, a freed slave of the Banizamim family, that Muhammad Kasim arrived in the vicinity of Debal, and ordered a ditch to be made. The troops unfurled their banners, and sounded their kettle-drums, and their several divisions encamped at the places appointed for them. Catapults were (also) taken out and fixed.
28.1.6
One of these especially belonged to the Commander of the Faithful, the Khalifah. Its name was “the Wee Bride.” It required a force of 500 men to work its recipient and active portions for discharging stones. In the heart of Debal there was a magnificent idol-temple, of a towering height, with a dome built on its top, and a green silken flag fixed on it. The building of the temple was 40 cubits high, and the dome on it was also 40 cubits in height. The flag-staff when hoisted was of the same length. The banner had four tongues or ensigns, each flying in a different direction, and appearing like so many towers suspended from above. When the army of Islám was in sight, this fourfold flag was removed from the top of the pole, and the occupants of the fortified town came out to give battle. But the Arab forces were not permitted to engage with them. In this manner 7 days passed away, and the Arab army remained encamped in one place. Every day letters were received from Hajjáj, in which they were asked to wait. On the 8th day, however, the letter of permission came, and immediately Muhammad Kasim arrayed his army and made an assault, and the enemy’s force was compelled to seek protection within the walls of the fort. All of a sudden, then, a Brahmin came forth from the garrison, and cried for mercy. He said: “May the just Governor live long!
28.1.7
We have learnt from our science of the stars that the country of Sind will be conquered by the army of Islam, and the infidels will be put to flight. But be it known to you that the standard of the idol house, yonder, is a talisman. As long as that standard of the temple stands in its place, it is impossible for the fort to be taken by you. You must, therefore, try your best to blow off the dome of this temple, and break its flag-staff into pieces only your success will be complete.”