The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 35.1.1

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.