The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.65.4

v1.c12.65.4

This was refused, and Ratbīl said, ‘Well, then take 300,000 dirhams for a treaty, and put it in writing for me, agreeing not to raid our land while you are *Wāli*, nor to burn nor lay waste.’” ‘Abd Ullāh did this, and when the Caliph ‘Abd ul-Malik (685-705 A.D.) learned of it, he dismissed him. Later, when al-Ḥajjāj (*c.* 694-713 A.D.) was governor of ‘Irāq, ‘Ubayd Ullāh ibn Abi Bakrah was sent to Sijistān. He carried on the war against Ratbīl, and advancing by way of ar-Rukhkhaj encamped “in the neighbourhood of Kābul, stopping at a mountain path. The enemy blocked it against him and Ratbīl joined them. So ‘Ubayd Ullāh made peace with them on condition that they should give him 500,000 dirhams and he should send him three of his sons Nahar, al-Ḥajjāj and Abu Bakrah as hostages, and he should make a treaty with them that he shall not fight as long as he was governor.”¹ This humiliating peace caused serious disaffection in the Arab camp, for it was felt that the action would seriously weaken Islam on this frontier. As a result of this, hostilities were again commenced. Shuraiḥ, who was mainly instrumental in the rejection of the peace “made a charge but was killed. The army fought their way along the desert of Bust.