The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 35: Return of Tayyár.
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 35
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Contents
Return of Tayyár.
35.1.1
Tayyár took with him the man who gave him this information, and starting on his return journey, duly communicated the same to Hajjáj. Hajjáj Yusif became very sad and afflicted at heart on hearing it. He came to his residence and called his nobles and learned men and sage philosophers, for consultation. When he came out again, he asked Tayyár to bring the Sindhi messenger to his presence, that he (the messenger) might personally give an account of what he had seen and pondered over. Accordingly, the man was taken to Hajjáj when the latter was at leisure. Hajjáj asked him: “Whence do you come?” “From Sind,” replied the man. “What do you know about Muhammad Kásim (and his troops)?” enquired Hajjáj again. “They are all quite well and safe,” said the man. “Only a sort of leprosy broke out among the horses and many fell victims to it. I left the place after that calamity was over. Now corn is cheap there, and those of the horses that escaped the ravages of the fell disease, are quite healthy. The merchants of that country are importing corn from outside.
35.1.2
Mókak Baséyeh, the ruler of Bet, is steadily managing that affair.’ Then Hajjáj said: “My envoy gave me a different version.” The Sindhi messenger replied:—“He heard an account from me but it was not a complete one.’ ‘Why did you not” asked Hajjáj, “give him complete information?” ‘Because,’ answered the man, “I did not think it proper that the public should cast an evil eye upon the army on hearing such joyous news and both our evil wishers and well wishers should become acquainted with it.” Then Hajjáj sent that man with a letter to the capital of the Khalifah to inform him of every thing that he had seen.
35.1.3
Hajjáj, after hearing the above news, sent 2,000 selected horses to Muhammad Kásim, and wrote the following letter to him. “From Hajjáj son of Yúsif to Muhammad Kásim. I learn from your letter as well as from a person who has come from those parts that some of the horses have died and the rest are doing well. So I send you 2,000 other horses. You must distribute these among those of your trustworthy men and warriors and officers of the army, who are deserving, and among those men who are fit for riding and can take proper care of their horses. Marshal your army in such a manner that with their strength and formidable appearance you may be able to subdue your enemy. But the best advice to you, for subduing the infidels, is that no one depending upon his own wishes is likely to gain his object or have his prayer granted. For the great God has said: ‘Shall man have whatever he wisheth for? The life to come and the present life are God’s.’ And I did not undertake this business myself till God set me on these infidels, for their day is done and good fortune has turned its face from them. The spiritual path, the religious law and the true faith have at last made their appearance, and the banner of piety has raised its head. You must manage anyhow, to collect boats to form a bridge over the river, in order to cross it without difficulty. Let the káfirs know all this though they will much dislike it.”
35.1.4
When Muhammad Kasim got the letter, and the horses also arrived he wrote a reply giving fresh local news. Among other things, he requested to be supplied with something sour or acid. “I shall be much obliged,” wrote he, “by your sending a little vinegar from your own stores or securing it in any other way, as my men badly require it, because owing to their eating disagreeable kinds of food out of season, the humours of their bodies are disturbed and they get unwell.” On receiving this letter, Hajjáj ordered some dressed cotton to be soaked in vinegar and dried. This was done repeatedly, till the cotton had taken up a good quantity of vinegar. It was, then, sewn in bales and brought to the Arab camp. A letter was also written to Muhammad Kasim stating that at his request, dressed cotton, soaked in vinegar, had been prepared, and that when it was received it had only to be soaked in water, to give out vinegar. It is related by Khwajah Imám Ibrahim, the writer of this part of the history, that when Muhammad Kasim was passing his time inactively on the western bank of the Mehran, Hajjáj despatched a letter to him appointing him his deputy with plenary powers and telling him angrily. “I am dissatisfied with you and am surprised at your lenient policy. I really cannot understand why you should be so much bent upon showing mercy to the people. When you have tried an enemy and found him to be your opponent and ill-wisher, you should not be so kind to him.
35.1.5
You should exercise proper discretion and discrimination and should not consider high and low equal or on the same footing; for, that will show a weakness of reason and sense, and the enemy will attribute it to languor and indolence. I swear by my soul and by my head, that the great and glorious God has given you good counsels to follow and placed reason in you to guide you. It shows deficiency of courage to be lenient and merciful to each and all. Tell this to your officers and to your friends, who are attached to you. It is strange that after gaining the upper hand and subduing the enemy, you have so long remained inactive and have been showing mercy to them. It is such a long time since you have been sitting in one place just opposite your enemy. If they are straightforward and are really anxious for mercy and have no treachery in their hearts, let them desist from fighting. Then only practical means will be found to meet the expenditure of the war, and this prolonged enterprise will come to an end. I cannot but feel surprise at the weakness and indiscreetness of your policy. People will believe that you are trying to bring about peace and they will attribute your present conduct to lethargy and want of judgment. In this way no object will be gained. You ought not to give up the ways of imperialism and strong handed domination, and you should exercise discretion and inspire awe in order to subdue the enemy completely.
35.1.6
You should give effect to every just resolution, and make your army show bravery as well as patience. Be a speaker of truth. Do not be negligent. Remember the great God, and obey His commands with your heart and soul. Now that you have become well acquainted with the course of the river Mehran, you should cross it at the place called Bet, inasmuch as about that place the river is small in breadth, and its banks are suitable for taking over the horses and as there is a small island between the two waters you can cross gradually. Take all the necessary precautions for your own protection and safety. Make a bridge of boats. At the time of battle, be constantly asking the help of God, and consider the victory of the king, (may his power be great) near and with you. If you behave vigorously and inspire terror, the subjects as well as the military will pay obeisance to you to save their lives, and will take your side.” The authors of histories and the narrators of tales have stated that when Muhammad Kasim got Hajjáj’s letter, he, forthwith, in accordance with the orders received, started from his camp and came to the country of Sakrah, in the district of Jhim. He ordered boats to be brought to cross the river and planks put on them to connect them. On the other side, Rái Dahar appeared to be careless and negligent, and engaged himself in amusements and pleasures and hunts and games, in order to make the enemy believe that he was no way afraid.
35.1.7
One day Bhandwir Samani came to Dahar, and said: ‘O king, I see you busy the whole day with nothing but hunting and pleasures. You are amusing yourself with the games of chess and dice, while the Arab army has already arrived and alighted by your capital.’ ‘What plan can you suggest?’ asked Dahar. ‘Three plans occur to me,’ replied the Samani; ‘follow any of them. If you think it proper send away your children and dependents to Hind, and face the enemy alone in battle. You may then attack them in any direction you like, and fight with them, with your mailed animals, furious elephants, brave men and warriors. You should stop all the ways, so that they may not obtain grain and fodder. Or if you like, assemble round yourself all the forces that are, at this moment, under your command, and divide them into van-guard and rear-guard to cover your retreat, and then leave this place and go farther off to the territory behind that sandy desert, which will serve as a refuge to you. The residents of those parts will come to your assistance. Tell them:—‘I am a wall between you and the Arab army; if they do me any harm, you too will not escape destruction. So better come and enroll yourselves under my command and help me to fight.’ The third plan is that you should take your property and your followers with you to the territory of Jásam. That prince knows you very well, and will help you in every way.
35.1.8
When you have managed to secure his assistance, you need not fear that any enemy will jeopardize the safety of your kingdom. The Arab army, then, can never derive any advantage from this country, and as long as the king is living, the enemy cannot but be foiled. Should an evil eye unfortunately fall on you and the enemy become successful and kill you, then none of the princes of Hind, will ever be able to defeat them, and this kingdom will come into their possession, and your connection will be cut off from every part of the country, as it must needs go entirely out of your hands.’ Dahar said: ‘O wise wazir, whatever plan you suggest, must be the best and the right one, but, at such a crisis, I do not think it proper or expedient, to send my dependents to any place in Hind, as thereby my subjects will be greatly perplexed, and the Thakurs and nobles will be much disheartened, and so will leave off fighting and disperse. I too consider it shameful and humiliating to me to make entreaties to another (prince), or to go to his door and await his permission to see him. No, this shame I cannot bear.” The wazir said: “What then is your plan? Let your slaves know it, so that they may join your personal attendants in consultation, and give you the best advice.” Rai Dahar said: “My plan is to meet the Arabs in open battle, and fight with them with all possible vigour. If I overpower them, I shall crush them to death and my kingdom will then be put on a firm footing.
35.1.9
But if I am killed honourably, the event will be recorded in the books of Arabia and Hind, and will be talked of by great men, and will be heard of by other kings in the world, and it will be said that such and such a king sacrificed his precious life for the sake of his country, in fighting with the enemy.” The Samani then said:—“My wish is that the king himself may live long and the kingdom may be firmly established. As for your slaves, it is easy for them to live contentedly on a handful of corn, and a mouthful of water, and with a little coarse cloth for their dress. The opinion of your majesty is the best.”
35.2.1
When Muhammad Kasim made up his mind to cross the river, he pondered over all the details, and was anxious that Dahar should not come with his army to the bank of the Mehran, and occupy the crossing-point, or prevent the crossing. He therefore thought it advisable to make enquiries, and, accordingly, he ordered Sulaiman son of Bahnar Kuraishi to take his men, with the utmost speed, to the place opposite the fort to bar Dahar’s exit. Sulaiman departed with 600 men, and the son of Atiyyah Saalabi, with 500 men was ordered to go to the road of Agham, to keep a watch over the country of Kandrah. He appointed the late Samani Governor of the fort of Nerun to superintend the supply of corn and fodder of which the army might stand in need. Maasab son of Abdurrahman was made the Commander of the advance guard, and was asked to go ahead and keep the roads clear and safe. Bandnala son of Khantalah Kilabi, with 1,000 horse, was to form the central force, and Zakwan son of Alwan Bahkri with 1,500 horse, together with Mokah Basáyeh king of Bet, the Thakurs of Babhsi, and the Jats, who had paid homage to the Arabs and had joined them, and the men of Sakrah, were all posted at the island of Bet.
35.2.2
As soon as Muhammad Kasim learnt that the advance force had arrived on the Jhim road, and Jazi son of Bezak Jaafi had found out the crossing-point, where the river was narrowest, and the bank well-levelled, he came and stood opposite the island and viewed the contour of the Mehran. He then ordered boats to be brought and filled with ballast of sand and stones and linked together by fixing nails into their (connecting) planks, and the bridge of boats was ready. When Dáhar learnt that Mékah Basáyeh had brought boats to Muhammad Kasim, and that the enemy had come to the bank to cross the river, he sent his son Jaisiah to protect the fort of Bet and instructed him not to put trust in Basáyeh, as he and all his sons might have become renegades. Jaisiah (then) came to the fort of Bet. But Mokah’s brother, Rásil who was against his brother, came to Dáhar, and said: “Long life and victory to the king. Your majesty knows well how faithful and obedient we (your) slaves are, and how we have tried our best to render service to you by taking necessary precautions. If your majesty would order me to protect the fort of Bet, I will proceed thither and make such arrangements that the Arab army can never cross the river.” Rai Dáhar did not hesitate to appoint Rásil Governor of the country of Bet, and ordered the chiefs and grandees of the place to obey him. At the same time he called back Jaisiah from there.
35.2.3
It is related by Abul Hasan Hazlí, that "Basáyah and his son Rásil had been on bad terms with Mékah Basáyah for some time past, and their disagreement was too evident. Mékah Basáyah had renounced the cause of Dáhar and had joined Muhammad Kásim, and Rásil, owing to his enmity, proceeded to oppose Mékah and the army of Muhammad Kásim. Mékah ever since the time he had taken in the situation had never submitted or bent his head before Dáhar. He was always favourably inclined to Islám, and sincerely (so inclined). In the war between Dáhar and his enemy, Mékah played dodges and behaved deceitfully and always tried to make Dáhar's cause suffer. Those who had an opportunity to observe his conduct carefully, have related that, when Muhammad Kásim brought the boats and began to link them, Rásil collected the chiefs and nobles of his country, and hastened to the spot in order to prevent the Arabs from making the bridge and crossing the river. Muhammad Kásim, therefore, ordered all the boats to be linked together in a line along the western bank to the length corresponding to the breadth of the river at that place. After this was done, brave warriors armed themselves and put themselves in the boats. Then moving the whole block of boats, keeping one end of it fixed at the crossing-point and turning the other, the head boat was made to touch the opposite point on the eastern bank, and the Arabs, immediately, shot volleys of arrows and drove away the infidels from the bank.
35.2.4
The (connecting) planks were nailed and the bridge was complete. Horsemen and foot soldiers landed, and drew themselves up in lines, and made a vigorous assault, putting the infidels to rout. The Arab army was wild (with enthusiasm), and pursued them down to the fort of Jhím. Those of the káfirs, who had very swift horses under them, galloped, in full speed, the whole night; and early in the morning, when the light of day appeared from behind the veil of night, they came to the camp of Dáhar. Dáhar was then fast asleep in his bed, and the curtain-lifters were hesitating to awake him. Eventually, a chief attendant stepped into the royal bed-room, and awakened Rái Dáhar, and informed him, in very distinct, and unmistakeable terms of the arrival of the army of Islám on their side of the river, and of the retreat and flight of the infidels. Then Dahar jumped up from his bed. Dahar told his attendant that he had brought very bad news and he called him nearer, and in anger gave him a blow with his hand on his back. Dahar’s hand was so heavy that the man died of the blow. It is related by historians that, when Muhammad Kasim crossed the river, he sent round a crier, proclaiming: “O army of Islám these waters of the Mehrán will be behind your backs, and the army of infidels will come in your front. Whoever wishes to return, let him go back even from this spot.
35.2.5
If, after the coming up of the enemy and the commencement of battle, he turns his face, the soldiers will be disheartened, and they will run away, and our enemy will then be more pressing and powerful. Whoever so turns his face will incur disgrace, and die the death of a coward, and be liable to the torture of the next world.” On hearing this proclamation, no one returned, except 3 persons,—one who said that he had a daughter at home and there was no other person to support her; another, who said that he had an old mother, who had no other relation to bury her, when she died; and a third, who said that he had a heavy debt on him and there was none else to discharge it. Muhammad Kasim permitted them to go away. The rest of the people remained with him unanimously. When the bridge was ready, the army began to pass over it. All went over safely except one person by name ‘Imrán, belonging to the family of Baníy Hanzalah who fell down into the river while crossing it and was drowned. The army of Islám then marched on, till it came near the fort of Bet. All the horsemen were so covered with coats of mail that they appeared to be, as it were, drowned in iron. Some parties were told off to different directions for reconnoitring. A ditch was dug round the camp, and the luggage (of the army) was (carefully) deposited. Muhammad Kásim started from the fort of Bet towards Ráór and soon arrived at a town called Jitor. There was a lake between Raor and Jitor.
35.2.6
To a bank of this lake, Rai Dahar had sent his chief men and armed soldiers to station themselves there and to watch the movements of the enemy. Through these, Dahar received the news of the Arabs having crossed the river. Muhammad Kasim thought the enemy was on the offensive, and that the force had been sent to fight with him. So, he posted Muhriz son of Sabit Kaisi with 2,000 men on this side of the lake and sent up Muhammad Ziyad Abdi with 1,000 horse to the other side, in order to wait opposite to them.
35.2.7
Rai Dahar now called Muhammad Haris Alafi and thus spoke to him: "O Muhammad Alafi, we patronised you (to secure your help) in an emergency like this. As on every previous occasion you were put in charge of the van, I specially appoint you to the same post on this occasion also, because you are acquainted with the ways of the Arab army and it is advisable that you should go with my forces in advance." Alafi said: "O king, as we are indebted to you for many an act of kindness, we are bound to give you good counsel. But we are Mussalmans and will not draw our swords against, and fight with, the army of Islam. If, thus fighting, we are killed by the Mussalmans, we die the death of polluted wretches; and if we kill them, we become responsible for their murder and our punishment will be the fire of hell. But since we are under obligations to you for your kindness and patronage, and (we see that) there is no one to advise you, we should like to advise you. But if we do so this Arab army will never forgive us. So be kind enough to permit me to depart quietly."
35.3.1
It is related by the writers of this history that when Alafi thus spoke, Dahar replied: "I have retained you with me for a day like this. If you cannot be of any use to me in this emergency, and you consider it proper not to follow my orders, then better leave us and go away." So Muhammad Alafi left him and went to the country ruled by Sulaiman, better known by the name of his grandfather, Batayer son of Hurr. He remained under Sulaiman’s protection till the time of Dahar’s death. After that event, Muhammad Kasim gave him pardon, and delivered to him Hajjaj’s letter promising him a governorship. Thenceforth he used to go to different rulers of Hindustan to induce them to accept the faith of Islam, and to give tribute. In this way, by giving them excellent hopes and promises, he made them submit, and pay allegiance to Muhammad Kasim. If any of them wanted written covenants, he procured the same for them. Thus all of them were completely won over by him. Tatars son of Bajar Salman, Sarband, king of Kaniij, Mokah, the ruler of Katab, and Kabaiz son of Tahar, had already received the honour of Islam and become tributaries before Muhammad Alafi went to Multan.
35.3.2
There is (however) a tradition from Muhammad Hasan, that on the first day when Muhammad Alafi wanted to excuse himself and stand aloof from fighting with the Mussalmans, Dahar told him “If you wish to be excused from fighting with the Arabs, remain with us to do only the reconnoitring work, so that we may become acquainted with their stratagems and take proper steps to defeat their designs. At any rate do not deprive us of the benefit of your counsel.” Accordingly Alafi (with his men) went with Dahar as the head of a reconnoitring party in order to make enquiries about the Arabs. When however Alafi’s party approached the Arab camp, the latter reproached them and so Alafi fled in haste and came back.
35.3.3
Muhammad Kasim now wrote a letter to Hajjaj about the state of affairs (in Sind) informing him that the army of Islam had crossed the Mehran and had met Dahar, the infidel, on a battle field and that the unbelievers had been put to flight. He ended his letter with (the usual) compliments. (The following reply was received):— “My dear son Imáduddín Muhammad Kásim. I have acquainted myself with the contents of your letter. What you have done is radically thoroughgoing. it is wholly in harmony with the commandment of God and the grace of the Merciful, being for you, in this enterprise and (specially) in all your difficulties, to carefully offer your prayers at the 5 stated times, to the august court of God, the great and the glorious, and every time you praise God’s greatness (at the commencement of your orisons) or read passages from the Koran during them, and in every posture, whether standing or bending or touching the ground with your forehead or sitting, you must ask His help with humility and contrition. Keep your tongue regularly trained in the remembrance of God, that your affairs may be settled satisfactorily. Because without the divine kindness no person can possibly secure power and glory, and when you repose trust and confidence in the grace and goodness of the Great One, your hopes will be fulfilled and success and victory will come to you and help you. May the Great God’s will be done. In the writing of Humran.”
35.3.4
The writers of traditions have related that when Muhammad Aláfí returned from the reconnoitring excursion, Dahar despatched his son Jaisiah with a large number of men and elephants, and Jaisiah, seated on an elephant, opposed the army of Islam and gave them battle. After a hard fight, in which many infidels were killed, Jaisiah’s army had recourse to flight, and Jaisiah himself with a number of his brave armed men and with his body guard, was hemmed in and pressed on all sides. The Arab army made an onslaught on Jaisiah, and sent the majority of his followers to hell. Jaisiah’s elephant driver wishing then to know the mind of the royal rider as to whether he was inclined to carry on the fight, or to retreat and be safe from danger, thus addressed his elephant. ‘O elephant do you wish to fight on or to be safe. King Dahar is anxious for the life of Jaisiah, what is your anxiety? Turn back that you may be saved.” (Hearing this) Jaisiah said: “How can we be saved, when we are standing face to face with the enemy and have been pressed hard? We are hemmed in on every side and have no way of escape. All is over with us.’ The elephant-driver thus gathered that Jaisiah preferred retreating from the fight and saving his life, and had repented him of the engagement. So the Mahout drove the elephant against the Arab horsemen and foot soldiers fighting around, and these could not check the attack of the elephant and gave way.
35.3.5
On their dispersing Jaisiah found a path open for escape, and he turned his face from the field and fled. He alone arrived safely at his father’s camp, but his whole army was cut to pieces. Rai Dahar had encamped to the east of the lake, and when he saw Jaisiah, he offered thanks to his deity and Dahar wherever he may be, and whithersoever he may go, and be assured that with the grace of God victory is yours and the infidels are destined to be defeated and vanquished.” It is related by Muhammad son of Abil Hasan Madani that when Jaisiah son of Dahar fled and went back (to Dahar) and his troops were killed, Rasil sent a messenger to Muhammad Kasim proposing to submit to him. His wazir had advised him not to do so, saying: “Rai Dahar is on friendly terms with you and has much confidence in you. It will be quite unbecoming on your part to act against him at such a time as this. Besides, it cannot be known for certain whether the Arabs will be victorious in the end or not. Your brother Mékah, was on bad terms with Dahar, and so he went and joined the army of Islam. But you have no such excuse for deserting him.” Notwithstanding this advice, Rasil sent a confidential servant to Muhammad Kasim, without the knowledge of the wazir, with the following message: “I must keep the word that has once passed my tongue, and at the same time, it is a matter of shame and reproach to quietly submit to Muhammad Kasim.
35.3.6
I am, however, anxious to give a colour to what I mean to do in order to be free from the taunts of my enemies. I shall give out that I am going to join Rai Dahar by such and such a road. Send a party of your horsemen to overtake me on that road and to capture me. In this way I shall not be a subject of reproach and our respective objects will also be gained.” According to this arrangement, Rasil issued from the fort of Bet and appointed (his father) Basayeh in his place, telling him: “Should the Arab army come, do not fight with them. Go to them submissively, and, as far as possible try to please them, for, that step seems now most reasonable and expedient, since this country is destined to fall into the hands of the Arabs.” Having made this resolution, Rasil started thence on his journey. Muhammad Kasim had despatched 500 horsemen to the appointed place and they waited till Rasil, true to his word, arrived. The men who accompanied him, thinking that their master was determined to make a firm stand against the enemy, engaged them at a place called Jéi Nitri, which was about 5 leagues from the fort of Kanhab. Rasil would not run away and at the same time he was avoiding the fight. Some of his party were killed. As Muhammad Kasim had instructed his men to capture him and not to kill him, they did not hurt him, but took him and his surviving men prisoners and brought them into the presence of Muhammad Kasim.
35.3.7
Muhammad Kasim called him and said: “O Rasil, do you wish that I should pardon you for the sake of your brother Mékah? I had called on you, long before this, to submit, but after all you determined to stand against us and became a prisoner. Now you are free from the reproach, which you were so anxious to avoid. Now co-operate with us that I may bestow substantial favours on you and give you that part of the country to govern which you may have a liking for.” Rasil paid his homage to the Arab general, and was presented with a robe of honour. When Rasil went through the ceremony of rendering allegiance and promised solemnly to remain faithful, he said: “No one can avert or prevent (the operation of) the command of the Great God. As you have so much obliged me I shall henceforth remain firm in your service and never deviate from your will and pleasure, and shall loyally carry out your orders. Shortly afterwards (however) Rasil died, leaving the management of his estate to Mékah. When Rasil and Mékah were united they advised Muhammad Kasim to move his camp to a place called Nardi. Dahar’s camp was then at Kaji Jak. They had seen that there was a big lake between the Arab army and Dahar, which was difficult to pass over. So Rasil said to the Arab General: “May the just Amir Imaduddin live long. This lake must any how be passed over.” And forthwith Rasil secured a boat for the purpose. Thirty men at a time were taken over, till the whole army was on the other side of the lake.
35.3.8
But there was still a ravine to be crossed, Rasil then said (to Muhammad Kasim) “You should go one stage higher up, and encamp at Jitér on the stream of Doharah, which is in the suburbs of that town. From that position you can easily carry on war with Dahar and command his front and rear. You will at the same time be able to fall upon his baggage and bring it entirely into your possession.” Muhammad Kasim relied fully on this advice and going to Jitér, encamped on the stream of Doharah. Rai Dahar soon came to know that Muhammad Kasim with the Arab army had come to Jitér. When Wazir Siakar heard this, an exclamation burst from his mouth. “O” said he “(have they come to) the town called Jitor which means the place of victory. When the army has arrived there, certainly victory is theirs.” Rai Dahar on hearing this turned back, and the fire of jealousy dominated his brain and he said in anger: “He has alighted at Hab Bari It is a place where the bones of all of them will kiss the ground.” Dahar then rose and fled to the fort of Raor, within the walls of which he left his retinue and baggage while he himself took up a position in a village, where he was about a league distant from the Arab army. Here Dahar consulted an astrologer: “To-day,” said he, “I intend engaging the enemy. Where is the planet Venus? Find out from your books which of these two armies will be victorious and which vanquished.
35.3.9
Inform me as to what the end would be.” The astrologer, after looking into his books, said: “According to a scientific calculation, victory is in store for the army of Islam, because Venus is behind its back and in front of you.” When Dahar heard this he became very angry. The astrologer said: “The king should not lose his self-control; let him order that a figure of Venus be made of gold.” This was done and the image was tied to the saddle straps of his horse, that Venus might be behind his back and the victory be his. Muhammad Kásim now approached nearer, so that there was only half a league between the two armies.