The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 8: The passing away of Sáhasi Rái from this world.
The Chachnamah, an Ancient History of Sind 8
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The passing away of Sáhasi Rái from this world.
8.1
At length, the divine decree burst into light from the curtains of mystery. The king fell ill, and his illness took a serious turn. (By and bye), the signs of death changed the state of his life for the worse. The king's wife became anxious. She called Chach and told him:—"The king's life is about to come to its close, and the signs of the cessation of his breath have already appeared. If the king dies, there is no issue of his to inherit the kingdom. His near relations, therefore, will secure all his property and his country. There is no doubt that they will disinherit and distress me, owing to their estrangement (from me). When even during the life-time of the king, they called me ugly names, they will at such a time as this deprive me of my life and property. One plan occurs to me, and I think it will turn out the right one, and if it is so destined, our wishes will be perfectly gratified and this kingdom will devolve upon you. My opinion is that, if we show our courage, the great God will hand over this kingdom to you, and its honour and glory will long remain with you, and all the people will pay allegiance to you." Chach said: "I am ready to obey you with all my heart; whatever you propose must be very good. But it is a well-known maxim that consultation with upright persons is a duty. You must therefore acquaint me with what you have in your mind." Queen Suhandi said: "Issue an order that fifty chains and fetters be made.
8.2
Bring them secretly at night, conceal them in the house and keep them ready for use when required.” Accordingly, under the orders of Chach, some heavy chains and fetters were made. They were brought into the innermost apartments of the palace under cover of night, and kept secure in a corner. When the king’s last moments arrived and the death agony ensued, the physicians rose to leave. (But) Queen Suhandi asked them to wait in the house for a short time. At the same time, she directed a confidential servant, to remove the king to an inner apartment and to close the gate, so that no one in the city should come to know that Sahasi was dead. She then asked him to bring a large number of her followers and dependents into the house. When these men were all brought in, she ordered her servant to call those near relations of the king, who were claimants to the throne (and whom she named one by one). In this way, every one was brought in separately, on the pretext that the king was better that day and wanted to consult him. When each came, he was sent to the appointed apartment where the queen’s confidential men put each into chains. Thus, all of her rivals were imprisoned and secured in irons. Next, she sent for those relations of the king who were poor and in want. Each of these, as he came, was told: ‘To-day, the king is annoyed with such and such a relation of yours, owing to whose ill-treatment and misbehaviour he did not sleep soundly, and has imprisoned him.
8.3
If you wish to be free from poverty and hunger, and acquire strength by means of wealth and property, go to that prison-room and remove the head of your enemy. Then put yourself in firm possession of his house, his property, his followers and his estates.’ In this manner, every one went to the room, and killed that relation of his who was on bad terms with him, and made himself master of his house, cattle, riches, and domestics. Thus, in one single night, they (Suhandi and Chach) made all their troublesome opponents the food of the blood-thirsty sword, and their heart was at ease in regard to their enemies. No competitor now remained in the kingdom to claim the inheritance. After the friendly followers and dependents were thus obliged, and after the poorer chiefs did the bloody work of the sword, they ranged themselves in a line in front of the palace, and stood there ready with their arms. All the merchants and the artisans, the plebians and the nobles (were also) brought by them, and the royal throne was well adorned. Then queen Suhandi came behind a curtain, and sent the following message to them through wazir Budhiman: “Speak to the peers and nobles of the State and convey to them the wishes of their sovereign.
8.4
Tell them that, though His Majesty is much better and his illness is fast disappearing, still owing to the shock caused by (the recent) vindictive disturbance, he is unable to come to the public audience hall, and the affairs of the people, high and low, rich and poor, who have not received justice, will remain pending. He is therefore pleased to appoint the Chamberlain Chach, in his life-time, as his vicegerent to carry on the administration in his name, so that no mischief may find its way into the country, owing to injustice done to the people, whose destinies have been committed to his care by the Creator.” (Hearing these words), all those who were present bent low respectfully and rubbed their heads on the ground, and said with one voice: “We are ready to obey the command of the king. The Chamberlain Chach is in every way qualified for such a great office, and possesses many good qualities and virtues, as he has already put the State affairs on a firm footing.” Then queen Suhandi Devi presented costly dresses of honour, adorned with ornaments inlaid with jewels, to a thousand of her faithful dependents and friends, who were among the heads of tribes and leaders of armies. At the same time, she placed the crown of the country on the head of Chach, and seated him on the throne. The whole assemblage felt much gratified, and bound themselves to do the service required of them.
8.5
She then ordered the wazir to be elected anew for the same post, and the chief officers were encouraged in their faithful service with plenty of rewards. New orders about the grant of estates were (also) passed in favour of several nobles. And thus the whole kingdom rested entirely on Chach for its administration. Six months elapsed in this manner. After that period the news of Rai Sahasi's death coming to the ears brother Maharat, the king of Chitor, the latter prepared an expedition, and with a large army and followers, and furious elephants, and brave warriors, marched out to fight with Chach. He encamped within a league of Alor, and sent a number of his private servants and favourite domestics to Chach with the following message:—“I am the rightful heir to this kingdom, and this country is the property of my fathers and grandfathers. It is but right that I should have for my own my brother’s heritage: to you that same post of chamberlain and lieutenant will be awarded, and every endeavour will be made to treat you liberally.”
8.6
Thereupon, Chach came to the queen and said:—“This enemy is come to the door of the house and claims the kingdom and the inheritance; what is your counsel?” Rai Sihasi’s wife laughed and said:—“I am a woman, living behind a curtain. If I am to go and fight, put on my clothes and sit here, and give me your garment that I may go forth (to battle). Have you not heard what the wise men have said, (namely) that when a person is elevated to a responsible post, he conducts it efficiently and ably, only when he acquires the skill and intelligence required for it. When the kingdom has fallen to your lot, what for do you require my advice? Gird up your loins and spring up like a roaring lion. Advance like a hero to the fight, and endeavour to defeat your foe. For death with honour and glory is better than living despised by an equal. Verse—You have elephants as well as armies; you have horses as well as followers. Put confusion into the ranks of your enemy and step forth like a man.” Chach was shamed by this her reply; and wearing weapons of war, and drawing up his army in a line, he faced the enemy. He also brought out of prison those of the (adverse) party who still remained there, gave them rewards and encouraging promises for the future, and advanced to meet the enemy. The king Maharat divided his army into the centre, the right wing, the left wing, the advance guard and the rear guard.
8.7
(Then) valiant warriors from both armies met in fight, till a large number on each side was killed. When the king Maharat saw that brave soldiers on both sides had been mowed down by the blood-thirsty sword, he addressed Chach in the following words: “I and you are the only two rivals for the kingdom; let us fight with each other, and let him who survives have the kingdom.” Chach confronted him and said: “I am a man of the Brahmin class and am unable to fight on horseback. Fight me (therefore) on foot and lay my head low, if you can.” The king of Chitor had complete confidence in his own bravery and strength. He thought within himself: “How can a Brahmin dare to measure arms with me in battle? I will pick up his head like a bird and tear it from his body.” He immediately dismounted and advanced on foot. Chach also came down from his horse and instructed his stirrup-holder to bring up the horse behind him. When the two came almost to close quarters with each other, Chach jumped upon his horse, made a sudden attack on him and with one blow severed the head of king Maharat from his body. (Seeing this) the army of Chach made an assault on the opposite army of Chitor, and (that army) took to flight. Some of them, seeing the king Maharat slain, asked for quarter and surrendered themselves, and some were put to the sword. Chach returned to the fort of Alor with joy and victory.
8.8
He ordered triumphal arches to be raised in the city, and he sat on the royal throne, and ordered public feasts to be given, and formed a fresh band of warriors. No stubborn rebel now remained in any of the four divisions of his country.