In this year the Kurks made an attack upon Jidda.
In this year Al Mansúr returned from Mecca to Basra, and embarked forces in ships against the Kurks who, as before related, had made an incursion upon Jidda.
In the year 159, Al Mahdí sent an army by sea under 'Abdu-l
Malik bin Shahábu-l Musamma'í to India. The force consisted
of a large number of troops and volunteers, among whom was Al
Rabí' bin Subaih. They proceeded on their way and at length
disembarked at Barada. When they reached the place they laid
siege to it. The people of the neighbourhood fought with them
frequently. The town was reduced to extremities, and God prevailed
over it in the same year. The people were forbidden to
worship the Budd, which the Muhammadans burned. Some of
the people were burned, the rest were slain, and twenty Musul-
In the month of Jumáda-l ákhir, Al M'utasim sent 'Ajíf bin 'Isa to fight against the Jats, who had seized upon the roads of Hajar, and had plundered the corn which was in the stacks of Kaskar, and in the stores of the towns. They spread terror over the roads, and planted posts in all directions towards the desert. At the news of the approach of Ajíf they retired. Ajíf marched to below Wásit and there took post on the river Bardád and Anhárá. Then they retreated and entered another place, but the roads baffled them. Ajíf then forced 1,500 of them to fight, and killed on the field of battle 300 men. Their leaders he made prisoners, and sent the chief to the gate of M'utasim. Ajíf was engaged against the Jats twenty-five days, and vanquished a great many of them. The chief of the Jats was Muhammad bin 'Usmán, and the commander was Samlú. Ajíf then took up a position, and remained opposed to them seven months. Mansúr bin Bassám was at Músal.
In this year Ajíf came to Baghdad from his expedition against the Jats, after having defeated and killed many of them. The remnant was compelled to ask quarter, which was conceded to them. They then marched away with him in Zi'l hijja, 219 (834 A.D.) and their number, including women and children, was twenty-seven thousand. The fighting men among them were twelve thousand. Ajíf placed his conquered foes in boats, and sent them dressed as they had appeared in battle, with their trumpets, to Baghdad. They reached that city on the tenth Muharram, 220. They proceeded in boats to the Shammásiya (suburb of Baghdad). The Jats were accoutred as for battle, and were blowing their horns, And Azíf gave to each of his men two dínárs (as a present). The Jats stayed on board their ships three days, and were then handed over to Bishr ibnu-s Samaida', who conveyed them to Khánikín. Thence they were removed to the (northern) frontier to 'Ain-zarba, and the Byzantines made a raid upon them and not one of them escaped.*
In the year 396 Hijra (1006 A.D.) Yamínu-d daula fought
against Bhátía, one of the dependencies of Hind, which is situated
beyond Multán. The chief of the place was named Bahírá. It
is a fine city, enclosed with high walls, and a deep ditch. The
chief marched out to meet his enemy, and fought for three days
with the Musulmáns. On the fourth he fled, and sought to get
back into the city; but the Musulmáns reached the gate before
the fugitives, overpowered them, and disarmed them. A dreadful
slaughter ensued, the women were dishonoured, and the
property seized. When Bahírá saw this destruction, he fled
with some trusty followers to the tops of the mountains. Mah-
In the year 396 Hijra (1006, A.D.) Sultán Yamínu-d daula fought against Multán. The cause of this was that the ruler of the place, Abú-l Futúh was disaffected, false to his faith, and inclined to heresy (ilhád). He had also required the people of his country to follow his opinions, and they had consented. Yamínu-d daula resolved to attack him and marched against him, but the rivers on the road were very large and broad, especially the Síhún (Indus), and the enemy was ready to oppose the passage. So Mahmúd sent to Andbál* and asked permission to pass through his country to Multán, but the request was refused. Mahmúd resolved therefore to deal with him first, and afterwards to prosecute his original intention. So he entered into his country and overran it; and he killed many of the people, plundered their property, and fired their houses. Andbál fled and Mahmúd followed his traces, like fire in the tracks of Satan, from pass to pass until he reached Kashmír. When Abú-l Futúh heard of this victory, he saw the futility of his rebellion, and sending his property to Sarandíp, he evacuated Multán. Yamínu-d daula then went to Multán, and finding the people infatuated in their heresy, he besieged the place closely, and carried on the fight until he took it by storm. He fined the inhabitants 20,000 dirhams for their rebellion.