When Matta, chief of Siwistán, went to the king of Kanauj, the country of Hindustán was in a flourishing condition. Kanauj was under the rule of Síharas, son of Rásal.* Matta went to him and represented thus: “Chach, son of Síláij, is dead, and his brother Chandar, a monk (ráhib), has succeeded him. He is a devotee (násik), and his whole day is occupied in the study of his faith with other religious persons in the temple. It is easy to wrest the kingdom from him. If you take his territories and place them under my charge, I will pay a tribute, and send it to your treasury.”
Síharas said to Matta, “Chach was a great king, and had an extensive
territory under his sway. As he is dead, I will bring his
possessions under my own rule, if I take them. They will form a
great addition to my kingdom, and I will appoint you over one of
their divisions.” Síharas then sent his brother Barhás, son of Kasáís.
The son of the daughter of the great Chach, who ruled over Kash-
Chandar refuses, strengthens himself in the fort, and prepares to fight.
Síharas sends an embassy to Dáhir, son of Chach.
Chandar succeeded to the government, and his subjects enjoyed comfort, and the country was governed firmly during his reign, which lasted for seven years. He died in the eighth year, and Dáhir sat on the throne of Alor. Ráj, son of Chandar, established himself at Brahmanábád, but did not maintain his government for more than one year. After that, Dharsiya, son of Chach, took possession of Brahmanábád and his sister Báí* was friendly and obedient to him. Dharsiya asked the daughter of Akham in marriage. He remained at Brahmanábád five years, and issued his orders to the neighbouring chiefs, who acknowledged his authority. Dharsiya resided for some time at the fort of Ráwar,* of which Chach had laid the foundation, but did not live to see completed. When Dharsiya had finished the works, and collected inhabitants for the the town from the places in the neighbourhood, and when it was well populated, he called it Ráwar, and returned to Brahmanábád, and firmly established himself in the Government.
When Dharsiya was reflecting one day that his sister had arrived at a marriageable age, messengers arrived from Súban,* king of Bátia, in the country of Ramal, to demand her in marriage. Dharsiya although he* was the elder brother, gave her a princely dowry, and sent her with seven hundred horse and five hundred foot to Dáhir, recommending him by letter to marry her to the king of Bhátia,* who had stipulated that he should receive a fort as her marriage portion. The messengers went to Alor, and remained there one month. (Here follows an account of Dáhir marrying his sister because it was prognosticated that her husband would be king of Hind and Sind, and the contests between the brothers in consequence.)
Ráí Dáhir receives information.
Ráí Dáhir goes to an astrologer to ascertain the fate of his sister.
The predictions of the astrologers.
Consultation of Budhíman, the minister, with Ráí Dáhir.
Ingenuity of Budhíman, the minister.
Dáhir sends a letter to Dharsiya.
Dharsiya receives the letter.
Dáhir sends another letter to Dharsiya.
Dharsiya marches to Alor to seize Dáhir.
Endeavours of Dharsiya to take Dáhir prisoner.
Dáhir asks advice from his minister.
Dharsiya enters the fort of Alor on an elephant
Dáhir is informed of the death of Dharsiya.
The burning of Dharsiya's body.
Dáhir remained one year in Brahmanábád, in order to reduce the neighbouring chiefs. He sent for the son of Dharsiya, and treated him kindly. He then went to Siwistán, and thence to the fort Ráwar,* of which his father Chach had laid the foundations, but the works were not completed when he died. He remained there for some time, and ordered that the fort should be finished. He remained there during the four hot months, for it is a pleasant place and has an agreeable climate, and he used to remain during the four cold and dark months at Brahmanábád. He passed his time in this manner for eight years, during which time he became confirmed and generally recognized in his dominions in Sind and Hind. The chiefs of Ramal became aware of his wealth both in treasure and elephants.
The chiefs advanced with a large and powerful army of horse and foot and war-elephants. They came, by way of Búdhiya, to the town (rostá) of Ráwar, and conquered it, and passed on from thence to Alor.
Muhammad 'Alláfí, an Arab of the Bani Asámat, who had killed 'Abdu-r Rahmán son of Ash'ab, for having run away from battle, came to join Dáhir with five hundred Arabs.
The 'Alláfí made a night attack on the Ramal troops with his five hundred Arabs and warriors of Hind, and fell upon them on all four sides with a great shout, and killed and captured 80,000 warriors and fifty elephants, besides horses and arms innumerable fell into their hands.
Dáhir then told his good and judicious minister to ask a favour. The minister replied: “I have no son who will carry down my name to posterity. I request, therefore, that orders may be given to have my name stamped on the silver coin of the realm, so that my name being on one face, and the king's on the other, it will not then be forgotten in Hind and Sind.” Dáhir ordered that the minister's wish should be complied with.
The history of the four first Khalífas.
Mu'áwia bin Abú Sufián.
Sannán bin Salma bin Ghúru-l Hindí.
Ráshid bin 'Umaru-l Khizrí.
Sannán bin Salma recovers the Government.
Munzir bin Hárúd bin Báshar.
Hakkam bin Munzir.
'Abdu-l Malik bin Marwán.
The 'Alláfís, etc.
Mujá'a bin Safar bin Yazíd bin Huzaika.
Walíd bin 'Abdu-l Malik bin Marwán
Account of the presents sent to the Khalífa from Sarandíp.
Hajjáj sends a messenger to Dáhir, the Infidel.
Hajjáj obtains permission to leave the Capital.
Budail suffers martyrdom.
'Imádu-d dín Muhammad Kásim bin Abí 'Akíl Sakifí.
Hajjáj writes letters to the Capital and Syria.
Hajjáj reads the Khutba on Friday.
Departure of Muhammad Kásim.
The army arrives at Shiráz.
Muhammad Kásim arrives at Makrán.
Hárún proceeds with Muhammad Kásim.
The army marches from Armábel.
The orders of Hajjáj reach Muhammad Kásim.
The Arab army makes preparations, and Hajjáj's orders arrive.
The flag-staff of the temple of Debal is knocked down by a mangonel.
Budhíman comes to Muhammad Kásim, and receives a promise of protection.
A fifth portion of the booty in slaves and coins is set aside.
The capture of Debal is reported to Ráí Dáhir.
The letter of Ráí Dahir.
The reply of Muhammad Kásim to Ráí Dáhir.
Historians have related, upon the authority of Banána bin Han-
The answer of Hajjáj to Muhammad Kásim.