Then came the Khalifate of the Commander of the Faithful, Alí, (peace be on him!) about the close of the year 38.* The historians of that time and the interpreters of narratives and tales relate that, when the turn of the Khalitate came to the Commander of the Faithful, Alí son of Abí Tálib (may God glorify his nature!) the people of the town began to quarrel and fight with one another. It is related by A'mir son of Háris son of Abdul Kais that when the parties fell out among themselves, Sághir son of Dáú was appointed to lead an army to Hind, and a large number of respectable men and followers was sent under him; and they departed by way of Bharj and Mount Báyeh. This was in the year 80.* To whichever town they came, they were victorious and successful, and they secured many slaves and a large booty, until they arrived at the mountain Kíkánán. Here the natives stood up to fight with them.
Hazlí states that, in that army of the Arabs there was a brave soldier by name Háris son of Marrah. He was at the head of a column of one thousand fully armed warriors. He had three brave slaves with him, one of whom he retained to bear his arms, and the other two he appointed as officers in the army, each being made the leader of 500 men. When they arrived at Makrán the news was carried to Kíkánán, where the people prepared for battle and commenced fighting. They were about 20,000 men. (Nevertheless) the army of Islám attacked them and overpowered them, and seeing no other help, the natives retreated to the gates of the town. But when the Arab army left the battle-field and marched after the residents of Kíkánán, the latter came down to obstruct their progress. The Arab army made an onset, with their war cry of “Alláhu Akbar” (God is great) and from the left and the right the cliffs echoed the cry of “Alláhu Akbar.” When the infidels of Kíkánán heard those cries they were much frightened, and some of them surrendered and accepted Islám and the rest fled away, and from that time up to our day, on the anniversary of that battle, cries of “Alláhu Akbar” are heard from the mountain.
They had already completed this victory when they received the sad news of the martyrdom of His Highness the Commander of the Faithful, Alí son of Abí Tálib, (on whom be peace). They, therefore, turned back, and when they arrived at Makrán, they learnt that Muáwiyeh son of Abísafiyán had become the Khalífah.
The Khalifate of Muáwiyeh son of Abísafiyán commenced in the year 44.* The authors of (his) history have stated on the authority of Mihlab who heard it from Hazlí, and Hazlí from Kásim and Kásim from Nasr son of Sinán, that when Muáwiyeh was confirmed in the Khalifate, he sent Abdulláh son of Sawád with 4,000 men to the country of Sind appointing him governor thereof, and chief administrator in those parts. He said: “In the country of Sind, there is a mountain, which is called Kíkánán. There are big and beautiful horses to be found there, and previously also (various) spoils were received here from that country. The people are very cunning, and, under the shelter of that mountain, have become refractory and rebellious.” Muáwiyeh also sent Umar son of Abdulláh to conquer A??máíl, and ordered Abdulláh son of Ámir to go to Basrah, and join Kais son of Háshim Salmí in the wars of Ammán and Ardbíl. Each of these was to take 1,000 selected men with him.
It is related by Abul Hasan, who heard it from Hazlí, and Hazlí from Muslim son of Muhárib son of Muslim son of Ziyád, that when Muáwiyeh despatched the expedition of 4,000 men under Abdulláh son of Sawád, no one had to kindle fire in his camp, as they had carried abunlant provisions for the journey, ready m??e for use. It was only on a single night that fire-light was perceived in the camp, and, on enquiry being made, it was found that a preguant woman, had been confined and fire was urgently required. Abdulláh gave her permission and she gave a merry banquet, and for three days continually entertained the whole army (with fresh-cooked food).
When Abdulláh arrived at Kíkánán, the enemy made an assault on him, but the army of Islám routed them, and secured plenty of booty. The people of Kíkánán assembled in large numbers, and occupied the mountain passes. The battle now raged furiously and Abdulláh son of Sawád found it necessary to keep his men in their ranks, by making a stand himself with a party of selected men, fully armed; and he appealed to the hearts of others in the following words: “O children of the Prophet's companions, do not turn your faces from the infidels, so that your faith may remain free from any flaw and you acquire the honour of martyrdom.” Hearing these words his men assembled round the standard of Abdulláh, and one of these men, who belonged to the family of Abdul Kais, came out with a challenge to a single fight. Instantly the chief of the enemy's forces engaged with him. The example of this hero was followed by another Yásar son of Sawád. The chief was killed, but the army of Kíkánán made a general assault, by which the army of Islám was ultimately put to flight. The whole mountainous region now became alive with fighting men and the Musalmans beat a (hasty) retreat, and came back to Makrán.
Abul Hasan relates that he heard Hátim son of Kutai-
Verses.—Yásír ground the army to dust under his mare's hoofs.
He cut them down the more, the more they multiplied.
His mare, how loyal—how warlike—how fleet was she!
So says A'war Al Shattí.
Inform the high and the low among the children of Rabíah,
We found the mailed cavalier on a dread charger in a hand to-hand tussle, doing deeds of daring.
It is related by Hazlí who heard it from Tibuí son of Músá, who again heard it from his father, that on Abdulláh son of Sawád being martyred, he appointed Sinán son of Salmah as his successor. Soon afterwards Muáwiyeh wrote to Ziyád, (the then governor of Irák) to select a proper person for the holy wars in Hind. When he received the letter, Ziyád nominated Ahnaf son of Kais, who was liked by all, and was the pride of the Faithful.* Ahnaf forthwith went to Makrán, where he remained for a period of two years, and after two years and one month he was removed from that post.
Abdul Hasan heard it from Hazlí and the latter related it on the authority of Aswad, that after the removal of the son of Salmah by Ziyád, Muáwiyeh called Ráshid, who was a very respectable and courageous man, made him sit with himself on the throne, and conversed with him for a long time. When he openly told the chief men: “Ráshid is a noble personage, all-worthy of being a leader. Respect him and obey him and assist him during the war, and never leave him alone.” When Ráshid arrived at Makrán, he went to Sinán, with the Arab chiefs and nobles, (who were with him) and found that Sinán was strong and extremely wise, and he could not help observing: “By God Sinán is a great man and a brave warrior and in every way worthy of being a chief and a leader of armies.” Both of them sat together (and had a long consultation) Ráshid had been deputed by Muáwiyeh, with particular instructions to regularly inform him as to what was going on in Hind and Sind. So these (two nobles) conversed with each other on important confidential matters, and Rashid made full enquiries about Sind from his predeces sor, and, without losing much time, marched against the army of the enemy.
It is related by Abdur Rahmán son of Abdulláh Salít who said that he had heard it from Abdur Razák son of Salmah, that when Ráshid son of Umar came to Sind, he managed to get tribute (for the Khalífah), from (the dwellers on the) mountain of Bayeh, and he went to Kíkánán, and secured the tribute for the past years as well as for the current year. He also procured many spoils and slaves from the rebellious and refractory people. After one year he returned thence, and travelling viá Sístán, he came to the mountains of Mauzar and Bharj.* The natives of this mountainous country mustered about 50,000 men strong, to stop him on his way. A bloody battle ensued which lasted from the time of morning prayers to that of afternoon prayers. Ráshid fell a martyr, and the command again fell to the lot of Sinán son of Salmah, who, once more, became the leader: Yasár Kuraishí is said to have related that when Ráshid son of Umar became a martyr, Ziyád appointed Sinán son of Salmah general (of the army), and conferred other favours on him, as he had been born during the life-time of His Holiness the Prophet (may the blessing of God be on him and on his descendants!) (It is said that) when the happy news (of his birth) was carried to his father, the holy Prophet (on whom and on whose descendants be the blessings of God!) said to him: “O Salmah, I congratulate you on the birth of a son.” In reply Salmah said: “If I could sacrifice him in the cause of the great God I should consider it better than having a thousand sons, dying in some other cause than God's.” The holy Prophet (the blessings of God and peace be on him and his children) gave the name of Sinán to the child, and now when he was made the Commander-in-chief, and marched out with a drawn army, he saw in a dream the Prophet, (on whom and on whose children be the blessings of God and peace!) who told him: “Your father used to be proud of your bravery; to-day it is your day; you are destined to conquer many countries.” Encouraged by these words, Sinán marched on, and conquered several places, till he arrived in the country of Kíkánán. Through whichever town he passed, he introduced good methods and laws therein. When, however, he came to the district of Budhia, the people there rose against him, and killed him. Abú Khalah Bahkirí composed the following verses on his martyrdom:—
Verse.—Tell of Sinán son of Mauzar and his brothers,
Respectfuligreetings to them.
I saw him in his day of pride,
In this age he was like a (heaven-kissing) hill.
They (the natives) turned rebellious and ripened a hard design,
(But) the wicked, who rebel, never prosper.
Not for a moment did the hero avert his face or turn his back,
Though a whole world rushed against him.
Like the son of Sawád—like the son of Marat—he fought up to his last breath and levelied many a peak (i. e., many chieftains) to the ground.