From that place, Chach marched towards Siwistán. When he approached that city, Mattah, the Governor, advanced with great pomp and largenumbers and gave him battle, in which Chach was victorious. Mattah fled with his forces and shut himself up in the fort. Chach laid siege to it and stood ready to fight. After a week, the garrison became disspirit-ed and asked for quarter, and on receiving a solemn pro­mise (of safety), they came forth and handed over the keys of the castle to the officers of Chach, who gave them protection and showed kindness to them. He entrusted the rulership of the place to Mattah, and appointed a super­intendent (Shahnah) out of his own confidential men (to represent his interests at the place). He stayed there for a few days, till the affairs of that part of the country were satisfactorily settled, and peace was re-established in that town.

When the affairs of Siwistan were completely put in order, he sent a mandate to Agham Lúhánah the Prince of Brahmanabad, that is to say, the ruler of (the tribes of) Lákhah, Sammah and Sahtah, calling upon him to submit to him. After a few days, some guards whom be had placed on the high roads in the direction of Makrán happen­ed to seize a man, bearing letters of Agham addressed to Mattah, the ruler of Siwistán, the purport of which was shortly this:—“I have always behaved towards you as a friend and well-wisher, and have, on no occasion, acted against you or quarrelled with you. I acknowledge the receipt of the letter which you sent to me by way of friendship. You honoured me therein by the assurance that, as long as our union and friendship lasts, no enemy will approach us. I am ready to do your behests, and to carry out completely every one of your orders. You are a king and the son of a king. There exists perfect harmony between us and you. Misfortunes like these have befallen many persons and compelled them to seek refuge. You are at liberty to fix your residence at any town you choose in the territories dependent on Brahmanábád, down to the sea, and to Debal. And if you intend to go somewhere else, none will obstruct you or molest you. I shall be helping you till you are safely settled somewhere. I possess sufficient troops and followers to be able to assist you.” But Mattah preferred going in the direction of Hind to the kingdom of Nirmal, ealled Bhattí (or Bhetti).

Then Rái Chach sent the following letter to Agham Lúhánah:—“You consider your. selves kings of the time, from your power and grandeur, origin and lineage. Though I have not inherited this kingdom and sovereignty, and this wealth and affluence, this power and dignity, from my father and grandfather, and though this country has not been ours before, still my elevation and my improved fortunes are due to the grace of God. It was not by my army that I won them, but the One God, the Peerless, the Incomparable, the Creator of the world, has given me the kingdom by the blessing of Selaij* ; and it is from him that I receive help in every thing. I do not depend upon any other person for assistance. He is the Accomplisher of my undertakings and the Giver of help in all my movements. He is the Bestower of victory and success in all contests and oppositions. We have been graciously javoured with the blessings of both the worlds. If (you think) your power and prestige are the creation of your own bravery, courage, resources, and splendour, then, without doubt, your fortunes will decay, and the vengeance of death is but the legitimate due of your soul.”

Then Rai Chach marched against Agham Lúhánah. Agham had gone from Brahman-abad on a tour in his territories. When he heard of Chach's coming, he returned to Brahmanabad, and began to collect soldiers and arms. When Rái Chach arrived at Brahmanabad, Agham, ready for battle, came forth to meet him. After several renowned warriors were killed on both sides, Agham's army was put to flight, and he betook himself to the fort. Chach laid siege to it. For a period of one year this warfare went on between them. During that period the king of Hindustán, that is, Kanúj, was Sayár (or Satbár) son of Ráil Rái (or Rásal Rái). Agham sent letters to him, apply­ing for assistance. But before the reply came, Agham died, and his son succeeded him. Agham had a monkish friend, whose name was Samani Budhgui (or Budh Rakhú), that is, one protected by Budha. He was sup­posed to bear a charmed life. He owned an idol-house or temple, which was called Budh Nawwihár.* It con­tained several idols. He was the chief monk of the place, and was well known for his devotion and piety, and all the people of that part of the country obeyed him. Agham professed his faith, and had taken him as his spiritual guide.*

When Agham betook himself to the fort, the Samaní* co-operated with him, but did not join in the fight. He was busy reading his books in his temple. When Prince Agham died, and his son was established in the government of the country, the Samaní became anxious and afraid lest the principalities, property and estates should pass away from his (the Samaní's) hands. In that perplexity, he consulted his books in order to ascertain the decree of fate, and he learnt that the kingdom was destined to fall into the hands of Chach, whether he himself was favourably inclined towards Chach or not. Agham's son (eventually) was sore pressed, and his army withdrew from the fight, and the fort fell into the bands of Chach, who kept a strong hold on it.

When Chach had come to know that Agham and his son had a compact with the Samani, and that it was owing to his sorcery, enchantments, magic and counsels, that the war had been prolonged for a year, he had sworn: “If I succeed in taking this fort, I shall seize the Samaní, take off his skin, give it to low-caste people to cover drums with it and to beat them till it was torn to pieces.” When the Samani had received informa­tion of this oath, he had laughed and said: “It will never be within the power of Chach to destroy me” When, after a time, the garrison in the fort of Brah-manabad, after battling hard and losing a large number of men, stopped fighting, sued for peace and asked for quarter, peace was made through the intervention of chiefs and heads of tribes between the two parties, and the fort was given up to Chach. Chach entered it and told them: “If you wish to go away, no living creature will oppose or prevent you; but if you make up your minds to stay here, then stay by all means.” When Agham's son and dependents found him favourably inclined towards them, they preferred dwelling there. Chach remained in the town for some time in order to ascertain their disposition.

(During his stay at Brahmanabad), Chach sent for the mother of Sarhand (Agham's widow). He made her his own wife, and gave the hand of the daughter of his nephew Dahiyah (or Dharsiah) to Agham's son, and bestowed many-coloured robes on him. He remained there for one year, and appointed officers to collect Government dues, and brought the chiefs of those parts into complete subjection to himself. He then enquired where that sorceror Samani was, in order to see him. He was informed that he was a monk and lived with other monks. “He is,” it was said, “one of the philoso­phers of Hind, and is the keeper of the Nawwihar* temple. He is considered by the Samanis as having attained subli­mity and perfection. In magic and enchantments, he is so clever that he has subdued a world of men and made them submit to his will. By means of his talismans, he can provide himself with all he wants. He has for many days co-operated with Sarhand, owing to his friendship with his father; and it was by his encouragement and sup­port that the forces of Brahmanabad carried on such an obstinate and protracted war.”

Chach then called all his armed men, and gave them the following instructions:—“I shall converse with him (the Samaní). (But) when I have done speaking and look towards you, you should draw your swords and sever his head from his body.” He then came to Budh Kanwibar and repaired to him. He found him sitting on a chair busily engaged in prayers, and with some hard clay in his hands with which he was making idols. He fixed a sort of seal on the idol, and the image of Budh appeared on it. The idol being now complete, he placed it on one side. Chach stood above him, but the Samani paid him no attention. After some time, when he finished all his idols, he turned up his head and said: “The son of the ascetic Seláij is come!” “Even so, O priestly Samani,” answered Chach. “What business has brought you here?” asked the Samaní. “I came to know of your fidelity,” replied Chach, “and so I came to see you.” “Come down,” said the monk. Chach came down. The Samaní spread a handful of straw and made Chach sit on it. Then he asked him, “O Chach, what do you want?” Chach answered, “I want you to become my friend and to come back to the fort of Brahmanabad, so that I may put you in charge of a high office, and entrust you with important affairs and responsible duties. You will be there with Sarhand,* and you may co-operate with him by giving him (the benefit of) your counsels and your judgment.” The monk said “I have no need of your kingdom. I do not feel inclined to have any civil employment, and I do not wish to have anything to do with worldly affairs.” “Why did you leave the fort of Brahmanabad?” asked Chach. “When Agham Lúhánah died,” said the monk, “and this boy, his son, gave way to grief, owing to the loss of his father, I admonished him to have patience, and I have been praying to God most sincerely that he may bring about peace and friendship between both the parties.” “For me,” continued the Samaní, “the service of Budh and the seeking of salvation in the next world are better than all worldly employments. As, however, you are the sovereign of this kingdom, I will at your supreme command shift to the vicinity of the fort, although I fear that the people dwelling in the fort would cause injury and mis­chief to the sown fields of Budh. To-day, Chach is a great and wealthy personage.” Chach said: “The worship of Budh is an excellent thing, and it is right to hold it in ho­nour. But if you want anything, or if you have any request to make, speak that I may at once grant it and thereby secure (for myself) happiness and honour.” The monk (násik) said: “I do not want any worldly thing, nor have I any worldly request to make. May God graciously incline you to the affairs of the next world.” Chach said: “That is exactly my request, and I wish to do a deed which should have spiritual advancement and salvation as its reward. Tell me of it, and I will render my assistance and be your helpmate.” The Samaní said: “As you are determined to do some charitable act and add (to your) good deeds, (know that) the temple of Budh Nawwhár have is an ancient religious institution. For some time past, owing to the vicissitudes of time, some parts of the structure have suffered injury. It should, therefore, be built anew, and you should spend your own funds in laying a fresh foundation. In this matter alone can I implore your help.” Chach said: “I am highly obliged to you.”