[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Conquests (711–1206)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest) › [Chachnāma](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama) › [The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg) › 46 # The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 46: A tradition. The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 46 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [46.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1) — 7 parts - [46.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2) — 7 parts - [46.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.3) — 4 parts ### A tradition. ### [46.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.1) “what a villainous set of people these are. They are quite like the wild men, living in some villages of Fárs and Mount Payeh, and they should now be treated as such.” Muhammad Kásim, therefore, thought it proper to deal with them exactly in the same way, and following the rule made applicable by the commander of the faithful, Umar, son of Khattab, (may the great God be pleased with him) to the people of Syria, he ordered that if any stranger or a traveller should arrive within their limits, they were bound to entertain him with food as a guest for a day and night, and if he fell sick, for three days. When Muhammad Kasim had disposed of the work of settling the affairs of Brahmanábád and the Luhánahs, and of fixing a punitive tribute on the Jats, he wrote to Hajjáj son of Yusif of his proceedings. He said that he was writing from his camp higher up the river of Halwai near Brahmanábád, and gave him detailed information as to the subjugation of Sind. In due course of time Hajjáj sent the following reply: “O my cousin Muhammad Kasim, praise and credit is due to you for all that you have done or tried to do in maintaining your position as commander of the army, in showing favour and courtesy to the people in general, in improving their condition and in satisfactorily settling the State affairs. ### [46.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.2) What you have done in fixing assessments on each Mauza, and in encouraging every class of people to follow the path of law in their worldly business, cannot but conduce to the permanency of the kingdom and to the systematic administration of the country. You should not now stick to that city (Brahmanábád) any longer. The props of the kingdom of Hind and Sind are the towns of Alór and Multán. Those two cities are the capitals of kings, and, in them, lie the external and internal treasures of kings. Select that town for your residence which is the best and the most pleasant, so that, from it, you may command the entire kingdom of Hind and Sind. Whoever refuses to submit to the power of Islám, let him be killed. The great God will help you in this cause. It should be your anxiety to extend your conquests from the country of Hind to the limits of China. I have appointed Amir Katabiah son of Muslim Kuraishí, and send him to you with fresh recruits. Hand over all your hostages to his charge. Arrange in such a way, O my uncle’s son, that your name may be widely known, and your enemies be subdued and mortified. The great God’s will be done.” Muhammad Kasim perused Hajjáj’s letters, (carefully) on receiving them. He had written: “O Muhammad Kásim, be always consulting me by means of letters; that is the essence of cleverness. Owing to the long (intervening) distance I cannot know every thing so well as I should. You should try to induce the people to submit, and to obey. ### [46.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.3) Appoint four of the chief men of the town to carry on the administrative affairs of the country, and issue an immediate and absolute order to that effect.” Accordingly Muhammad Kasim called Widda son of Hamid Najdi, and entrusted to him the superintendence of the affairs of the town of Brahminabad, that is, Banbanwáh and asked him to appoint village tax-gatherers and local officers. He gave the management of money matters and revenue accounts to the charge of four persons from amongst the merchants of the place, with strict orders that each and every thing was to be brought to the notice of Widaa, and that they were never to do a thing or dispose of any business without first consulting him. Next he posted Nabah son of Daris to the fortified town of Raor, and asked him to look after that town and (watch the river traffic), and to collect boats. If any boat coming from the upper part of the river, and sailing down, contained any weapons or other military stores, it was to be stopped, and its contents were to be removed to the fort of Raor. The collection of boats higher up was entrusted to Ibn Ziyád Abdi. All the country ruled by Dróhar, king of Kuríj was given to Huzail son of Sulaimán Azdi, and Khanzilah son of Baanah Kilabi was made the governor of Dahlelah. Every one of these officers was ordered to make full enquiries as to the state of affairs in his charge, and to communicate the result, every month, after careful verification. ### [46.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.4) He also advised all of them to assist one another, in case an enemy’s army invaded the country, or caused disaffection or revolt among the people. They were further instructed to keep an eye on the unruly and the mischievous, and to chastise them. He gave them 2,000 infantry for the purpose. He also nominated Kais Abdul Malik, son of Kais Déni and Khalid Ansári to the charge of Siwistán; and deputed Masúd Tamími son of Shaibah Jadidi, Farasat Atki, Sahir Lashkari, Abdul Malik son of Abdullah Khazai, Mahni son of Akkah, and Wafd son of Abdurrahman to Dahlelah and Nerin to settle that part of the country. Among the emancipated slaves, there was one by name Malik, who was very enterprising. Him, he sent as his officer to Kardail. Alwan Bahkri and Kais son of Saalabah with 300 followers of theirs chose to become permanent residents. They married and begot children, and completely subjugated and tamed the Jats. ### [46.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.5) It is related that when Muhammad Kasim satisfactorily settled the affairs of Brahmanabad, and put on a firm footing his power in the Eastern and the Western Districts and the country round about the town (of Banbanwah), he marched out on Thursday, the third of the month of Muharram of the year 94, and alighted at a town called Musthal, in the vicinity of Sawandi and close to a beautiful lake with a pleasant meadow, called Dhandh Wikarbha, and on the bank of this Dhandh (lake) he made his camp. The residents of the place and its surrounding country were Samanis, Bahzams and merchants. All these men came forward to pay respect to Muhammad Kasim, and he pardoned them all, (as he had orders from Hajjaj to that effect,) and allowed them to live happy and safe in the place of their birth and to regularly send the tribute fixed on them to the public treasury. He appointed two of them to be their headmen,—one a Samani by name Bawad and another a Buddhist, by name Zaman (or Baman) Dhal. All the rustics of the Jat tribe living about the place put their heads in the yoke of submission, and to all of them he gave pardon in accordance with the written orders of Hajjaj. He sent a report of all these matters, and when Hajjaj came to know of the smooth working of the administration he wrote a reply as follows: ### [46.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.6) “My distinct orders are that all those who are fighting men (ahl harb) should be assassinated, and their sons and daughters imprisoned and retained as hostages. Spare those whose submission will be useful in the end, and those in whose lands streams of fresh and limpid water flow. Let tributes and taxes be fixed on them. As for the merchants and artizans, let them have light burdens. Those who know the work of building houses and cultivating land, let them carry on their callings freely and diligently. Show kindness and leniency to them, in revenue matters. Take only one-tenth on the property and land-produce of those who receive the honour of Islám; while those who remain in their own religion should be required to pay to the officers the usual tax from the income of their handicraft or cultivation.” Muhammad Kásim then marched from the said place and came to Bahrówar. There, he called Sulaiman son of Bahtan, and Abú Fiddah Kishérí, an emancipated slave of Kand, and, after adjuring them in the name of God and of Kand’s children, asked them to carefully carry on the local administration; which he left in their charge. At the same time he called upon the people to show due regard to Juned son of Amrú and Baní Tamím. Next he sent Muhammad to the people of Bharj, to live among them, and Amrú son of Mukhtár Hanafí was appointed governor of the place, with a band of brilliant soldiers for its protection. ### [46.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.1.7) Muhammad Kásim then proceeded to that part of the country where the Sammahs lived. When he approached them, the people came forward dancing to the music of drums and pipes. Muhammad Kásim enquired as to the cause of their boisterous assembly, and he was informed that there was an old custom among them to come forward playing and dancing, and make merry to receive a new king on his arrival. Házam son of Amrú then instantly walked up to Muhammad Kásim and said: “It is incumbent on us that we should glorify and praise the great and the Omnipotent God, and offer thanks to Him, who has made these people submit to us, and has caused our command to be obeyed throughout this country.’ This Házam was a very sensible and intelligent man, and was honest and religious. Muhammad Kásim smiled and said: “I appoint you these people’s governor,” and he ordered the men to dance and play before him. Házam, immediately, gave them 20 dinárs of western gold as a present, and said: “This seems to be a royal ceremony, performed at the approach of a ruler, to express joy and thanks to God. May this happy rule remain permanent over them.” ### [46.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.1) The narrator of this history states on the authority of Ali son of Muhammad son of Abdur-rahmán son of Abdullah Saliti, that when Muhammad Kásim finished the settlement of the affairs of the Luhánahs, he came to the land of the Sahtahs. The rural classes with their headmen came out bare-headed and bare-footed, and asked for mercy and pardon. Muhammad Kásim pardoned them all, fixed tribute on them, and took some hostages from them. He then wanted to have a sketch of all the stages and camping places on the way thence up to Alór. The guides supplied this and said: “Alór, the capital city of Hind, is the biggest town in the whole of Sind. Its inhabitants are mostly artisans and merchants and cultivators. Fófi son of Rái Dáhar has made that fortified town the chief city of his kingdom. No one dare speak of Dáhar’s death before him. He says that Dáhar is still alive and that he (Dáhar) has gone to Hind to bring an army, with the intention of again engaging the Arabs with their help and assistance.” Muhammad Kásim continued his march till he came to within a mile of that city, and fixed his camp just opposite the fort, and there he spent about a month. During this time he built a mosque in which he used to deliver orations every Friday. ### [46.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.2) (On the approach of Muhammad Kásim), fighting commenced forthwith between the Arabs and the people of Alór, who still entertained hopes that Dáhar was about to bring them succour. They loudly told the Arabs from the top of the ramparts: “You ought to feel some compassion for your own selves, for Dáhar is about to come with his allies and a large army consisting of numerous elephants and cavalry and infantry, and he will hunt you down. We are just coming out of the fort to put your army to flight. Return to us our wealth and property; have some pity on your own lives, and run away that you may not be put to death. Do you listen to our advice.” When Muhammad Kásim saw that they had made a firm stand against him, and were fighting furiously, not believing for a moment, that Dáhar had been killed, he made Ládí, Dáhar’s wife whom he had purchased out of the spoils and made her his wife, ride the same black camel, which she used to ride during Dáhar’s life-time, and sent her with some trustworthy men to the front of the fort. There she spoke out to the people saying: “O residents of the fort, I have to tell you something and give you some good advice. Stand in a line, that I may speak to you.” A number of the chiefs then appeared on the top of the walls. Ládí then unveiled her face and said: “I am Ládí, wife of Dáhar. Our King is killed and his head has been sent to the capital of the Khalífahs, in Irák, together with his standards and umbrellas. ### [46.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.3) You should not expose yourselves to trouble and ruin, and throw not yourselves with your own hands into perdition.” Saying so, she set up a wail, and wept bitterly and began to sing dirges. But the men standing on the top of the ramparts said: “You are telling a lie; you, too, have conspired with these Chandáls and cow-eaters and are united with them. Our king is still living. He is soon to come with a large army and numerous troops and furious elephants, to defeat the enemy. You have mixed with the Arabs and defiled yourself. You prefer their rule to ours.” They then began to abuse her. Muhammad Kasim came to know of this, and sent back for Ladi, and said:—“Sovereignty has after all turned away from the house of Siláij.” ### [46.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.4) The writers of this history have stated that in the fort of Alór there was a sorceress, of the Hindú jógí class. Fófi Dáhar and other nobles of the town went to her, and told her:—“We have hopes that with the help of your knowledge of magic, you will inform us as to where Rai Dáhar is now.” The sorceress said: “Leave me to-day, that I may consult my science, and make secret enquiries about the matter, and then I shall let you know.” She then went into her private apartments, and after about a watch, she re-appeared with a branch of a pepper-plant and another of a nutmeg plant in her hand, from Sarandeb, bearing fresh buds, and green flowers and fruit, and said: “I have travelled over the whole world from one end to the other, and specially in Hind and Sind, but I could find no trace of him (Dáhar) any where, nor could I hear anything about him. You should shift for yourselves. If he had been alive, I would have certainly known it, and he could not have remained concealed from me. For the verification of my statement, I have here brought for you green branches from Sarandeb, that you may not entertain any evil doubt. For myself, I am quite sure that your king is not alive on the face of the earth.” ### [46.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.5) When this news got abroad, the residents of the town, high and low, said to one another: “We have been so long hearing about Muhammad Kásim’s piety and probity, his watchfulness, his justice, his virtue, his equity, his kindness, his faithfulness in the observance of promises, and his truthfulness; but now we have seen all this with our own eyes. We should, therefore, now send a message to him, through some trustworthy person and ask for his mercy; and hand over the fort to him.” When Fófi came to know for certain that Dahar had been killed, and that the people were contemplating a surrender, he collected all his followers and family members, and as soon as the king of heavenly bodies went behind the curtain of the dark night, he came out of the fort and went to the territory of Jétór, where he joined his brothers Jaisiah and Wakiah, sons of Dahar, who had been residing at a place called Nazwalah Sandal. There was a man from amongst the Alafis at Alór, who had been all along co-operating with Fófi and he, with the intention of informing the Arabs outside, of Fófi’s flight and concealment, wrote on a piece of paper, the following words: “Fófi Dahar has resigned the rulership of Alór, and has gone away somewhere” and tying the paper to an arrow, he shot it out. Muhammad Kásim now sent his army to commence an assault. Accordingly, warlike men and brave soldiers got over the ramparts, and began to fight. ### [46.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.6) Then all the traders and all the artisans and other professional people immediately sent the following message to the Arab general: “We have given up our allegiance to the Brahmins and have turned away from them. Rái Dahar has gone away from us, and his son Fófi too has disappeared. We never wished to see such a day. As it was destined by God that all this should happen, no creature dare oppose the will and power of God, and fate cannot be averted by fighting or by any strategem. The kingdom of this world will never last with any one person. When the army of Fate issues forth suddenly from the ambush of mystery, some kings, with its assistance, secure a royal crown and throne, while others, by the vicissitudes of time and the revolutions of fortune, are defeated and isolated. One should not count upon an ancient kingdom or upon a new rulership. It will fall into his possession to whom destiny gives it. We, therefore, intend to come to you to pay our respects and, trusting in your justice and kindness, to place the collar of submission and allegiance on our necks. We are ready to deliver the fort to the faithful officers of the just commander, in the hope that you will pardon us and show us mercy and save us from the depredations of your army. This ancient kingdom has come down to us from Rai Dahar as an important legacy. As long as he was living, we tried our best to take care of it and to watch over it. ### [46.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.2.7) Now, that Dahar is no more and his son Fofi has also run away, subordination to you is welcome to us, and we shall be happy in it.” Muhammad Kasim said: “I never sent any proposal to you, nor did I send any messenger to you. You have all had recourse to me, of your own accord, for pardon and protection. You must, therefore, make a solemn promise to withdraw entirely from warfare, if you are sincere in your intentions and are really inclined to render allegiance to us. Unless you come out and satisfy me by making a solemn promise, the enmity between you and us will not cease, and hereafter, I shall not hear or accept your excuses, nor pardon you; and in that case, you should not consider yourselves safe from injury or harm at the hands of my troops.” ### [46.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.3.1) Then the defenders of the fort came down from the battlements, and resolved among themselves, saying: “We are going to open the gate and stand there till Muhammad Kasim comes in. Then, if he confirms his promise, we will surrender and pay homage to him. If he, by way of kindness, receives us well and gives us pardon, well and good, if not, there must be treachery at the bottom of this affair.” Having formed this resolution, they came with the key of the fort to the gate. Some of the righteous men sent by Hajjaj, served as a medium of communication and intercession, and the garrison, eventually, opened the gate, and posted themselves near it. Muhammad Kasim then entered and all the townspeople came to the temple of Nobhar, and prostrated themselves before an idol. Muhammad Kasim enquired: “Whose house is this, in which all the people high and low are respectfully kneeling and bowing down.” They replied: “This is an idol-house called Nobhar.” Then, by Muhammad Kasim’s order, the temple was opened. Entering it with his officers he saw an equestrian statue. The body of the idol was made of marble or alabaster, and it had on its arms golden bracelets, set with jewels and rubies. Muhammad Kasim stretched his hand and took off a bracelet from one of the idol’s arms. ### [46.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.3.2) Then he asked the keeper of the Budh temple Nóbhar: “Is this your idol?” “Yes” he replied, “but it had two bracelets on, and one is missing.” “Well,” said Muhammad Kasim, “cannot your god know who has taken away his bracelet?” The keeper bent his head down. Muhammad Kasim laughed and returned the bracelet to him, and he fixed it again on the idol’s arm. Muhammad Kasim now ordered that those of the fighters who submitted should not be killed, but the rest of them should. Ladi however told him: “The people of this country are good builders and some of them are merchants. All the houses in this town have been built by them, and all the lands here are cultivated by them. The treasury has always remained full owing to their earnings and their labours. If you kill them, you lose your wealth.” Muhammad Kasim, therefore, to please Ladi spared them all. The narrators of stories and the writers of histories state that, out of the body of men handed over to the executioners for slaughter, a person stepped forth and said: “I am in possession of a wonderful thing.” The executioner told him “show it to me.” The man said “I won’t show it to you; nor to any person other than the commander himself.” Muhammad Kasim was informed of this. He sent for the man, and the man was immediately brought to him. “What wonderful thing have you got?” asked Muhammad Kasim. “A thing” replied the man, “that has never been seen before by any person.” “Bring it and show it to me,” said Muhammad Kasim. ### [46.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.3.3) “Promise” said the Brahmin, “that you will give pardon to me, my followers and my children one and all.” “I have given it,” said Muhammad Kasim. “Be pleased then” said the man “to pass a written order to that effect, under your signet as letters patent.” Muhammad Kasim thought the man had some very precious jewel or exquisite ornament to show. But when he made a solemn promise and handed over a document to that effect to the man, the latter "unwound his beard and loosed the hair of his head after uncovering it, and then rolling his breeches round his toes and standing upright, began to frisk about and dance, and to repeat the following words: 'No one has ever seen a more wonderful thing than what I have to show. My beard is so long that it reaches my feet.' Muhammad Kasim was taken aback and those who were present, said: 'what sort of wonderful thing is this on the strength of which you prayed for a pardon! Indeed you have cheated us.' But Muhammad Kasim said: 'No, a promise is a promise, after all, and a word a word. Great men never change their promises or break their word. It is said: "Do not look to the fact that a man is a possessor of learning and science; look to the man's faithfulness in keeping a promise and see how he is in that respect. ### [46.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46.3.4) If a man faithfully performs his promise, he is superior to whatever you can conceive him to be." No, I shall not kill him but I shall keep him imprisoned and report the matter to Hajjaj and see what he says.' Accordingly, that Brahmin with 200 of his near relations and dependents was kept in custody, and the fact was mentioned in the letters written to Hajjaj. Hajjaj asked the learned men of Kufah and Basrah to give their opinion on the point, and wrote about it to Abdulmalik, the Khalifah of the time. He soon received replies from the Khalifah and from the learned men, who said that such a question had already been raised by the companions of the Prophet, and had been decided by the text of the Koran in which the great God says:—'Some men justly performed what they had promised unto God.' When the solution of the problem was received, the Brahmin with all his followers and dependents was set at liberty. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.conquest.chachnama~en-kalichbeg.46) · Pramāṇa