The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 45.1
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 45.1
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45.1.1
Muhammad Kasim then wrote of all this to Hajjáj, and at the same time gave a reply to the envoys fixing a day for the carrying out of their promised plan, which they had informed him was that on the appointed day, they would all come to the Jarbateri gate and issue in a body to fight with him, and that when the two armies met, the Arab army was to suddenly make an assault, whereupon they were to run away and re-enter the fort leaving the gate open.
45.1.2
After Hajjáj’s letter was received, in reply, to the effect that pardon might be granted to the men in question and the terms of the promise faithfully kept, the men came out from the fort (on the day fixed for the pretended sortie) and engaged in fight for a while. But when the Arab army assaulted them and fell upon them, they fled back into the fort and left the gate unclosed, in order that the Arabs should take possession of it. Accordingly the Arab army followed them closely into the fort, and without any resistance ascended the towers and bastions of the fort, and the Mussalmans’ war-cry, “Allahu Akbar,” (“God is great”) rang out all around. When the garrison saw that the Arab army had made a rush, they opened the eastern gate and flocked out in flight. The Mussalmans were now completely masters of the place. Muhammad Kasim issued an order that none should be killed, except those who offered any opposition or showed fight. Those who were seen with arms were caught and made prisoners, and brought to Muhammad Kasim with their military weapons and valuables and with their families and followers. Those who paid homage and asked for mercy were pardoned and left to reside in their own houses.
45.1.3
It is related in traditions received from some noteworthy old men of Brahminabad, that when the fort of Brahminabad was completely lost, Dahar’s queen Ladi who, with the king’s son had been at Brahminabad since Dahar’s death, determined to make a stand against the enemy. She said: “It does not behove us to leave this strong fort and our families. We must anyhow manage to hold on and make a vigorous attack on the enemy in order to save our homes and our native land; and if the Arab army prove victorious, we shall have recourse to some other remedy.” She then brought out her treasure and spent it on the brave soldiers of her army, and, with encouraging words, inspiring them with fresh strength, carried on the struggle near another gate. The resolution, which Ladi had formed was that in case of the fall of the fort, she would throw herself together with her followers and children, into a burning fire. The fort, however, was, all of a sudden, taken by the enemy. All the nobles and faithful followers flocked to the gate of Dahar’s palace, and the members of the Rai’s family came out prepared to put an end to their lives, but they were captured.
45.1.4
Subsequently when the booty and the prisoners were brought to Muhammad Kasim, he made it widely known among the soldiery that Dahar’s wife Ladi and his two virgin daughters by another wife who had been in the fort, should be produced before him. This was done, and these ladies were given in charge of an attendant and seated apart from the other prisoners. In order to detach the usual one-fifth share of the State, a selection was made from the slaves and other spoils. The number of these selected slaves came to about 20,000. The rest were distributed among the troops. Those of the prisoners, who belonged to the classes of artisans, traders and common folk, were let alone, as Muhammad Kasim had extended his pardon to those people. He next came to the place of execution and in his presence ordered all the men belonging to the military classes to be beheaded with swords. It is said that about 6,000 fighting men were massacred on this occasion; some say 16,000. The rest were pardoned.
45.1.5
It is related by some that at first, they could not find any members of Dahar’s family amongst the prisoners. Enquiries were made from the chief men of the city, but no one could give any information or clue as to them. The next day about 1,000 men from amongst the Brahmins of the place came to the court of Muhammad Kasim with their heads and beards clean shaved. When Muhammad Kasim saw them, he enquired: “To what army does this body of men, who have come here in this shape, belong?” The men themselves replied: “O Commander, who are a faithful observer of promises, our king was a Brahmin. When he was killed and the reins of the kingdom were taken away from him, some of his subjects killed themselves out of excessive love and loyalty towards him, and others shaved their heads and beards. Now that the great and omnipotent God has entrusted this kingdom to your charge, we have come here to pay our respects to the just commander and to know his will as to the survivors.” Muhammad Kasim was very much astonished, and said:—“By my head and soul, these are really good and faithful people. I give them pardon on condition that they find out and produce the members of Dahar’s family wherever they may be.”
45.1.6
On this solemn promise being made, the Brahmins produced Ladi from her innermost private apartments. As for the rest of the people, a tribute was fixed on them under the rules laid down by the holy Prophet of God (may the blessings of God be on him and his descendants). He who received the honour of Islam and became a convert was exempt from slavery as well as tribute and was not injured. Those, however, who did not accept the true faith were compelled to pay the fixed tribute (jizia). These latter were divided by him into three classes. The first and highest class had to pay 48 dirams of silver in weight per head. The second or the middle class, had to pay 24 dirams in weight, and the third or the lowest class, had to pay 12 dirams in weight only. He then dismissed them with the following words: “I let you go this day. Those among you who become Mussalmans and come within the fold of Islám shall have their tribute remitted, but those who are still inclined to be of their own faith, must put up with injuries (gazand) and tribute (jizia) to retain the religion of their fathers and grandfathers.” Thereupon some resolved to live in their native land, but others took to flight in order to maintain the faith of their ancestors, and their horses, domestics, and other property were taken away from them.
45.1.7
Muhammad Kasim, then, settled tribute on the principal men (who had surrendered the city), according to their rank and circumstances, and left the management of all internal affairs in their hands. He, however, posted guards at each of the four gates of the fortified city. He presented a dress of honour and a saddled horse to each (of the principal men) and placed precious ornaments of Hind on his hands and feet. He also allowed an honourable seat to each of them in his own court. He then ordered a census to be taken of all the merchants and artisans. About 1,000 men from amongst the ordinary public were thus counted out. Muhammad Kasim ordered a capitation tax of 12 dirams of silver in weight only to be fixed on each of them as they had already lost their property by plunder. He next appointed headmen and village chiefs to collect the revenue and charged them with the duty of collecting the tribute from all the townspeople and villagers, and thus provided them with sufficient means of subsistence and support. When the Brahmins saw the consideration shown by the Arab General to the headmen, they came to him with a petition (praying that a similar favour be shown to them), and all the great and chief men of the place testified to the fact that, in the last reign, they were much honoured and revered. Muhammad Kasim, therefore, paid them proper respect, and issued an order that they be shown the same reverence as before.
45.1.8
(They were, thus, in every way, free from trouble and violence.) Muhammad Kasim (also) gave every one of them a proper appointment. As he was quite sure, now, that no harm or mischief would result from them, he conferred on every one of them the same post which he had held in the reign of Rái Chach. He then called a conference of all the Brahmins in the town, and addressed them as follows:— "In the reign of Dahar, you held responsible posts, and you must be knowing all the people of the city as well as of the country all around. You must inform us which of them are noteworthy and celebrated and deserve kindness and patronage at our hands; so that we may show proper favour to them, and make grants to them. As I have come to entertain a good opinion of you, and have full trust in your faithfulness and sincerety, I confirm you in your previous posts. The management of all the affairs of State, and its administration, I leave in your able hands, and this (right) I grant (also) to your children and descendants hereditarily, and you need fear no alteration or cancellation of the order thus issued."