The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 7.2

7.2

One day, the king Sahasi Rai was sitting in a private apartment of his palace with his queen Suhandi. This lady had great influence over the king and had lived happily with him. (Just then) the Chamberlain Chach came to the door of the palace. He sent a message to Rai Sahasi, through the private Chamberlain (who had the privilege of going to the interior of the private apartments), to the effect that Chach had come to the door of the palace on an important business, and wanted to relate to the king what had happened, and that if the king had leisure the whole matter would be laid before him. The king asked his queen to go behind the curtain as a stranger was coming. (Hearing this), the queen Suhandi observed: “So many inferior people and menials come in; if a Brahman comes in, what inclination am I likely to have towards him and why should I feel shy and conceal myself from him? May a thousand lives of mine be sacrificed to the dust of Sáhasi’s feet!” It was usual with the king not to act against the wishes of that lady whenever she pressed a point or insisted upon a thing; and often he was led away by her artifices and submitted to her cajoleries. So the king called Chach, who explained the State business that had brought him, and expressed himself on the subject very well.