The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 44.1
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 44.1
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44.1.1
Hajjaj then wrote a letter in reply to that of Muhammad Kasim, and he gave him warm encomiums, (but at the same time, he did not omit to reprimand him,) for he wrote to him: “You have praised the emancipated slave of Sakif so much; where was the necessity of praising a wicked man like him? There were so many worthy men in your army, as for instance the men of the family of Bani Salim or of that of Bani Tamim or of your own mother Habibah the great, your own brother Salb son of Kasim, your own uncle and father, these all were not less worthy; and yet you have said nothing about them. I do not find fault with you, nor do I charge you with any mischievous behaviour. I would not exchange you for them, and would value and love you more than them. I only say that it was improper for you to have praised a hypocrite, in connection with the victory over Dahar, when there were better men from Syria and Irak like Haziraah son of Amrú or Daris son of Ayyúb, or Banánah son of Kantilah, or Hazil son of Sálim or Jehm son of Zajr Jaafi or Zakwan son of Alwan Bahkri, or Kaab son of Mubárik and some other noteworthy persons who were superior in every way. You must patronize all these men and keep yourself aloof from ambition, deceitfulness, hypocrisy and vanity. I conclude with compliments.”
44.1.2
The following is related by Abú Ayyúb Háshim one of the children of Jaafar son of Abi Talib an emancipated slave of Abú Abdullah son of Abbas, who heard it from Kaab son of Mubárik. Kaab said “I went to visit ‘Abdul Malik son of Marwan (the Khalifah) on the day when they brought Dahar’s head, sent by Hajjaj Yusif. The slaves, who were chiefly daughters of princes and Râhas, were made to stand in a line along with the menials. The Khalifah of the time asked those, who knew the prisoners, to bring up Dahar’s niece. (When she was brought) the Khalifah was full of admiration on seeing her face and features. He then said: ‘O Kaab, this girl is a princess and has a beautiful face. Take her away and make her your wife.’ At that time I was a young man. I took her away to my house and married her. She was so wise that many women used to come to her to consult her and take her advice and they learnt many things from her. But she bore me no child.” It is related by several historians, all of whom agree, that when Dahar was killed, his son Jaisiah and queen Bai who was his sister but whom he had placed with himself on the throne and under his royal umbrella or canopy as a queen,—went to the fort of Raôr with the forces of their kinsmen of royal blood, and protected themselves within its walls. Jaisiah was very proud of his bravery and prowess and rank. Having much confidence in himself, he prepared to carry on war, and Muhammad Alafi co-operated with him.
44.1.3
When they heard that Dahar was killed and his white elephant severely wounded, Jaisiah Dahar said to the noblemen around him: “we will face the enemy and smite him with our swords to win fame and honour. Even if we are killed we shall not have lost our lives in vain.” Wazir Siyakar said: “what the prince thinks is not right. Our king is killed, our army is defeated, our numbers are dispersed, and our hearts, over-awed by the fear of the enemy’s sword, are sick of fighting. Under these circumstances, how can you manage to war with the Arabs? Our country still stands where it did before, and our impregnable forts are still strongly fortified, and are alive with warlike men and the natives of the soil. The best plan is that we should go to the fort of Brahmanâbâd. That fortified town is an hereditary possession of our king’s ancestors and a residence of Dahar. The treasure there, whether over the surface of the earth or buried under it, is still at our disposal. The dwellers in the town are on friendly terms with and favourably inclined towards, the family of king Chach, and, will all assist you in fighting with the enemy.” Jaisiah consulted Aláfi: “What is your advice in this matter?” asked he. “My advice” replied Aláfi ‘is also the same as given by the Wazír.’’ Rai Jaisiah therefore resolved to act accordingly, and he took all his dependents and followers with him and shifted to Brahminábád.
44.1.4
On their departure, Dáhar’s queen Bái made preparations for war in the fort of Ráor with the assistance of some other princes. She appealed to the men, and 15,000 brave warriors enlisted themselves on her side. All stood up ready for death, with one mind. When the next morning they heard the news that Dáhar was killed in the gulf of Dháwáh, in the waters of the Mehrán, the princes and chiefs who had joined queen Bái, sheltered themselves within the walls of the fort. Muhammad Kásim, on learning this, turned his steps towards the fort of Ráor, and soon arrived at the foot of the fort. Instantly drums were beaten and trumpets sounded from the top of the fort and the towers, and volleys of catapult and sling stones and arrows and spears were showered down upon the Mussulmans.
44.1.5
Muhammad Kásim arrayed his army and set some to dig subterranean passages. He divided his army into two divisions, one of which commenced offensive operations by means of battering rams, arrows and lances, while the other threw naphtha torches and burning stones at night-time. The towers and bastions of the fort were thus soon destroyed. Dáhar’s sister Bái then collected all the women in the fort and addressed them thus: “Jaisiah,” said she, “is separated from us, and Muhammad Kásim has come. It is certain that we cannot escape the clutches of these Chandáls and cow-eaters. Our glory is gone, and our term of life has come to its close. As there is no hope of safety and liberty, let us collect firewood and cotton and oil. The most expedient course for us, I think, is to burn ourselves to ashes, and thus quickly meet our husbands (in the other world). Whoever of you is inclined to go and ask mercy of the enemy, let her go. It is possible she may be saved and set at liberty.” But all of them were of one mind, and so they entered a house and set fire to it, and were soon burnt to ashes. Muhammad Kásim now took possession of the fort, and halted there for three days, during which time he massacred 6,000 fighting men who were found in the fort. Some of them were shot with arrows. Their followers and dependents, as well as their women and children, were taken prisoners.
44.1.6
It is related that when the fort of Ráor was taken, all the treasures and arms that were in it were secured, except what had been taken away by Jaisiah with himself. All this booty was brought to Muhammad Kásim. The slaves were counted, and their number came to 60,000. Out of these, 30 were young ladies of royal blood, including Rái Dáhar’s niece whose name was Hasanah. Muhammad Kásim sent all these to Hajjáj, together with Dáhar’s head, and one fifth of the treasure obtained as booty, for the royal coffers, in charge of Kaab son of Mubárik Rásti. When the head of Dáhar and the women and the treasure were brought to Hajjáj, he placed his forehead on the ground and offered prayers of thanksgiving, by two genuflections to God, and praised him, saying: “Now have I got all the treasures, whether open or buried, as well as other wealth and the kingdom of the world.”
44.1.7
Hajjáj then sent the head, and royal hostages and treasures to Walíd, the Khalífah of the time. When the Khalífah read the letter, brought with the presents, he praised the great and glorious God. He sold some of those female slaves of royal birth, and some he presented to others. When he saw Hasanah, Rái Dáhar’s niece, he was struck with her beauty and fine features. Abdullah son of Abbás applied to him for her hand. Walíd said “O my cousin, this girl is exceedingly beautiful and perfect in every way. I have become so enamoured of her that I should like to keep her for myself. But as you want her, it is much better that she should be your wife and bear you a son. She is more fit for you.” Accordingly, with his permission, Abdullah married her. They lived together for a long time but she never bore a child.
44.1.8
The historian relates that when Raor was taken, and the public affairs of the place were settled and Muhammad Kasim's report of his victory came to Hajjáj, the latter wrote the following letter in reply:— “My dear cousin, I have received your life-augmenting letter. On its receipt my gladness and joy knew no bounds. It increased my pride and glory to the highest degree. It appears from your letter that all the rules made by you for the comfort and convenience of your men are strictly in accordance with religious law. But the way of granting pardon prescribed by the law is different from the one adopted by you, for you go on giving pardon to everybody, high or low, without any discretion and without any distinction between a friend and a foe. The great God says in the Koran:—‘O true believers, when you encounter the unbelievers, strike off their heads.’ The above command of the Great God is a great command and must be respected and followed. You should not be so fond of showing mercy, as to nullify the virtue of the act. Henceforth grant pardon to no one of the enemy and spare none of them, or else all will consider you a weakminded man. Concluded with compliments. Written by Náfia in the year ninety-three.”