[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Conquests (711–1206)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest) › [Chachnāma](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama) › [The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg) › 2 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 2: The reason of the compilation of this book. The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 2 - **Language:** English ### The reason of the compilation of this book. ### [2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.1) Ali Kufi, the writer of this book on the history of Hind and the recorder of the conquest of Sind, the household slave of Muhammad mad son of Ali, who was a son of Hamid who Kúfi, had spent a period of his life in leisure and obtained a good deal of pleasure and enjoyment in But subsequently, owing to the vicissitudes and changes of fortune, he left his dear native place his residence in the sacred town of Uch, where for some days. Again, the divine order these days of different success interchangeably each other among men” was received, and server of destiny changed the drink of joy into of sorrow. During the stay of the writer place, he had to experience pleasures succeeded again, owing to the hardships of the revolving had to taste many a drink of poison and to bear of calamity. In 613 A.H., at the age of 58 gave every other occupation and busied himself exquisite books \[he began to reflect (and say as something of every science or branch of knowledge other miscellaneous subjects had been already the mind of the writer, and as learned men philosophers of the time have, in their respective written some history or other book, with the patrons and masters, and thus left behind them their memory; ### [2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.2) \[as for instance, the conquest of Fars (Persia), of Rúm (Turkey), of Shám account of which has been given, both in prose and with full details, by the writers of the past\] conquest of Hindustan by Muhammad Kásim chiefs of Arabia and Syria, the spreading of country, the building of mosques and pulpits to the limits of Kashmír and Kanúj; the Dahar Chach, son of Siláij, who resided at the of Alór, at the hands of the great Amír, state and religion, Muhammad son of Kásim Sakifi (may God have mercy on him!), and the that whole territory together with its dependencies had not yet been known to the world, and be written by him describing all these events. With this object in view, I began to trouble myself, in obedience to what had then become my ruling passion, and I started from the blessed town of Uch for the towns of Alor and Bakhar, the leading men of which places are descended from the Arabs. ### [2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.3) When I arrived at that city (Alor), I visited my lord and master, the Kázi, the great Imam (or leader in prayers), the learned man excelling in virtue and science, the paragon of religion and religious belief, the chief of rulers, Ismail son of Ali, son of Muhammad, son of Músa, son of Tái, son of Yakúb, son of Tái, son of Músá, son of Muhammad, son of Shahábuddín, son of Usmán Sakifi (may God perpetuate his excellence, and pardon his forefathers and ancestors in the name of Muhammad and all his descendants), who is the type of superiority in eloquence and the very soul of wisdom in oratory, and who has no equal in the Persian arts and sciences, and no sharer in the treasures of rhetoric. He informed me that an account of this conquest had been written in the Arabic language by his ancestors in a manuscript which had been handed down as a heritage from one to another to his time, and that as it was covered under the veil of the Arabic language, it had not come to the notice of the people of Persia and other countries. ### [2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.4) When I became acquainted with that book, (I found it to be) a book adorned with jewels of wisdom and embellished with pearls of morality. Various deeds of bravery and valour of the people of Arabia and Syria were depicted in it, and various sorts of courage and wisdom were described in it. (It was clear from it that) every fort that was conquered was the cause of a number of victories, and was (the light of) morning to the night of error and depravity; and every district that in those days was ennobled with the honour of Islám and secured, was illumined with pulpits and mosques, and enlivened by religious and devout men. Even down to our own time, every day in people of Arabia and Syria, to this great and noble country, that country has marked an increase in the beauty of Islam and righteousness and the excellence of knowledge and conscientiousness; and every period has resulted in the acquisition of a firm footing on the throne of sovereignty and power, through (the exertions of) the State servants of Muhammad (may the blessings of God and peace be on him and his descendants!). Ever afresh, the rust of error and ignorance is being rubbed off from the face of the mirror of Islam. ### [2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.5) When this religious record was taken out from the curtains of the Arabic language and covered under those of the Persian language, and when it was translated into prose and adorned with chains of style and ornaments of virtue and religiousness, I began to ponder in my mind, and came to the conclusion that such a wonderful new present and elegant book on conquest was worthy of the servant of the Minister, as thereby prosperity would guide my steps, and good fortune would smile on me. I said to myself: “For a long time, since the lapse of many a day and year of the past, I have been laying foundation for securing the favour and patronage of the master of the people, the Minister of the world, the Wazir of Sahib Kiran, the honour of kings, the helper of the State and of Religion, the might of ministers, and the professor of both the pen and the sword (may God brighten his resting place and sanctify his earth), and I have been trying to shape the object of my soul so as to deserve his generosity and protection. ### [2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.6) And as his obligations as well as those of his descendants (may they be perpetually exalted and their ancestors absolved) are clinging to my neck, let me bring this book to his notice, since it is a book of conquest, which is based on spiritual rectitude and temporal excellence, and of which learned philosophers and generous kings would be proud, because all men attain advancement to perfection by acknowledging as true the belief of the people of Arabia and professing the faith of the possessors of sound principles,” (I was thus anxious to dedicate) this book of conquest, which treats of the acts of valour and bravery which is by descent and lineage an Arabian family; because in former years the conquest of Khurásán and 'Ajam had been completed by their noble grandfather, the great Amír, the glory of the chief men of Arabia, the administrator of religious affairs, the supporter of mankind, the pride of the children of Kuraish, Abú Músa Ash-hari. There are several books and detailed accounts written about his being the leader of armies and the conductor of forces. Wherever the unbelievers have been defeated and routed, the banners of Islám have been carried by their and his ancestors, as if this was a hereditary monopoly of theirs. This record of their successes goes up to the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar son of Khattáb (may the great God be pleased with him!), who, in addressing the true believers publicly, used to speak highly of the valuable services of this family. ### [2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2.7) It is, therefore, but proper that this book be dedicated and presented to the exalted audience-hall of my lord, the best of masters, the possessor of the sword and the pen, the great and the glorified one, the victorious and brave, the chief of the country, the pride of the State and of Religion, the administrator of (many) regions, the glory of the ministers, Husain son of Abí Bakr, son of Muhammad Ash-hari. May God redouble his greatness and honour, as long as the day and night succeed each other, and the stars shine above, and diversity of ways continues, so that he may honour it (the book) by condescending to look at it and peruse it, and graciously accept it, as thereby it will be counted among the great things of the time. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.2) · Pramāṇa