The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 37: Dahar's battle with the Arabs on the third day.
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 37
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Dahar's battle with the Arabs on the third day.
37.1
The next day the accursed Rái ordered the Thakur of Jehpur to charge the enemy. He was a brave man and he issued forth and fought with the enemy till he was killed. As the troops told off by Dahar, one after another, fell under the blood-thirsty sword of the Arabs, Wazir Siakar approached Déhar with due obeisance and said: “O king, the way in which you are carrying on warfare is a mistaken one. How many times has your wrong policy failed and yet you are no better for your experience. It is true that man proposes and God disposes, but nevertheless the high wisdom of kings owes it to itself to chalk out a plan for averting a calamity. Had you in the very commencement, when this army was crossing the waters of the Mehran by batches, opposed them and harassed them, they would have been too much cowed down to risk a battle again with you. Now that they have all assembled (on this side of the River) and confronted you, every Thakur, whom you send against them is killed by them. This plan of yours is not the right one. The best thing is to attack them with all your forces, having first assembled all your cavalry and infantry. If you succeed, your object is gained and your enemy is repulsed. If not, they will overpower you and you will at least be free from the reproach of the kings of other countries and be excused by them, and your descendants and children will not have to bear any taunts.” Déhar accepted this advice.
37.2
The next day by command of Dahar, the drum of war was beaten and standards were raised high in the air. Young men of royal blood, and celebrated horsemen and veteran warriors, numbering 5,000, with 60 elephants, some say 100 war-like elephants and 20,000 foot soldiers with complete armour or coats of mail, marched out in front of Dahar, who himself sat on a furious elephant, with a litter lashed to it and an iron coat spread over it. He was armed cap-a-pie and had a tightly-strung bow in his hands. Two maidservants were sitting with him in the litter, one of whom was handing over arrows to him one by one, and the other was giving him betel leaf (to chew). Dahar then led out the army in person, and calling his son said: “I give you Muhammad Alafi; he knows better than yourself how the Arabs fight. Do whatever he may advise or suggest—whether it be an advance, or a retreat. That day was the 9th of the month of Ramazan, of the 93rd year from the flight of His Holiness the Prophet of God, (may the blessings of God and peace be on him and his descendants). When Dahar arrived at the battle field, Muhammad Kasim encouraged the Mussalmans and urged them to the fight: “O people of Arabia,” said he, “today is the day of trial. Try your best in the cause and for the sake of Islam, and use all your energy and zeal.
37.3
Depend for protection and strength on the divine help and Grace so that you may drive away the infidels, and their kingdom may devolve upon you, and their wealth and country come into your possession. If you remain quiescent, or waver in your mind, or become broken-hearted, or allow weakness and infirmity to prevail on you, then they will overpower you and kill all of you, not leaving a single one of you alive and (remember, above all, that) if you turn your faces from the káfirs, your souls will be in hell, and your ancestors will be ashamed of you.” He then appointed Muhriz son of Sabit Dimishki and Uwais son of Kais with 6,000 horse to form the advance column and cross the lake. They passed the rivulet that stood between Dahar and the Army of Islam, and then he ordered Atan son of Malik Kaisi and Zakwán son of Alwán Bahkri, to join the van and all of them also went across (the rivulet). Then Alafi thus addressed Dáhar: “O king of Hind and Sind, this mass of men that has come opposite to you, forms the backbone of the whole army. They are all valiant lions, life-sacrificing heroes and bold warriors. If your army succeeds in repulsing them, your object will be gained. If not, they will undoubtedly put you to flight. Now do what you think proper.” Déhar now led out the whole of his army. Some elephants he sent with the advance column. The central forces he collected round himself.
37.4
He placed in his front armed foot-soldiers and archers, and men with javelins, half-spears, and halberts, and on his right archers, and on his left, armed horsemen with naked swords. In this array they engaged in battle. That day Ubaid son of Atab left the side of Muhammad Alafi, and came to Muhammad Kasim and communicated to him the following information. “Muhammad Alafi,” said he, “has told Dahar that the battalion of Arabs, that has crossed the lake is the flower of the army of Islám and is its best cavalry. Dahar has therefore directed his forces to cross over and so all the brave warriors and armed men are preparing to cross the lake.” On getting this information, Muhammad Kasim ordered his best troops to hasten to cross the intervening lake. These, accordingly, who were all warlike horsemen and brave soldiers came down to the lake, leaving the centre and the body guard of chief men with Muhammad Kasim who followed with Mékah Basáyeh. Thus they marched on against the enemy. After crossing the lake, Muhammad Kasim put himself in the centre of the army, with Muhriz son of Sabit, and ordered Jahm son of Zajr Jaafi to take the right wing and Zakwán son of Alwan Bahkri to take the left, Atan son of Malik Kaisi was to lead the van, and Bananah son of Hanzilah Kilábi the rear.
37.5
Muhammad Kasim then addressed the troops saying: “O people of Arabia, if some accident befall me, then Muhriz son of Sabit is your next general (Amir), and if he obtain martyrdom, then Said is your general.” Then Muhriz charged the enemy, and engaged them till he was killed. Then Said encouraging the troops attacked the enemy. In the fight that ensued, Hasan son of Mahabbat Bahkri had his thumb cut off by a sword-blow, but the Mussalmans stood their ground, and (even) when furious elephants were brought into action, they divided themselves into small bands and falling on the elephants succeeded in scaring them away. The army of Islam then made a united assault and drove the infidels to their lines. The day then came to its close, and the two armies returned to their respective camps.