Dáhir consults with Sísákar,* the minister.
'Alláfí offers advice to Dáhir.
The ambassadors return to Muhammad Kásim with the answer of Dáhir Ráí.
Muhammad Kásim receives an order from Hajjáj.
Muhammad Kásim informs his friends of Hajjáj's orders.
Ráí Dáhir arrives at the banks of the Mihrán.
A Syrian is slain.
Mus'ab goes to Siwistán.
Jaisiya son of Dáhir arrives at the fort of Bait.
Ráí Dáhir the infidel sends a message to Muhammad Sakifí.
Tiyár returns to Hajjáj from Muhammad Kásim.
Hajjáj sends two thousand horses to Muhammad Kásim.
Muhammad Kásim reads the orders of Hajjáj.
Hajjáj sends some vinegar to Muhammad Kásim.
The orders of Hajjáj reach Muhammad Kásim on the western bank of the Mihrán.
Ráí Dáhir confers with the Samaní, his minister, on Muhammad Kásim's preparations for crossing the river.
Muhammad Kásim had determined to cross, and was apprehensive lest Ráí Dáhir might come to the banks of the Mihrán with his army, and oppose the transit. He ordered Sulaimán bin Tíhán Kuraishí to advance boldly with his troops against the fort,* in order that Fúfí* son of Dáhir, should not be able to join his father. Sulaimán accordingly went with 600 horsemen. He ordered also the son of 'Atiya Tiflí to watch the road with 500 men, by which Akham might be expected to advance, in order to cover Gandáva* and he ordered the Samaní, who was chief of Nírún, to keep open the road for the supply of food and fodder to the camp. Mus'ab bin 'Abu-r rahmán was ordered to command the advance guard, and keep the roads clear. He placed Namáma* bin Hanzala Kalábí in the centre with a thousand men; and ordered Zakwán bin 'Ulwán al Bikrí with 1500 men to attend on Moka Bisáya, chief of Bait; and the Bhetí Thakurs and the Jats of Ghazní, who had made submission and entered the Arab service, were told to remain at Ságara and the island of Bait.
Muhammad Kásim examines the fords.
Dáhir hears that Moka Bisáya had collected boats.
Dáhir gives the government of Bait to Rásil.
When Muhammad Kásim had collected his boats and began to join them together, Rásil with his officers and chiefs came to the opposite bank and prevented the completion of the bridge and the passage of the river. Muhammad Kásim thereupon ordered that the boats should all be brought to the western bank, and be there joined together, to a distance equal to the estimated breadth of the Mihrán. He then placed his warriors fully armed upon the boats and let the head of the bridge, which was full of archers, float down to the eastern bank. The archers drove off the infidels who were posted to guard the passage. So the Arabs passed over to the other side, and driving pegs into the earth, made the bridge fast. The horse and foot then crossed and, giving battle, put the infidels to flight, and pursued them as far as the gates of Jham.
Dáhir awakes and kills his chamberlain for bringing him news of the flight of the infidels and the victory of Islám.
The Arab army marched on till it reached the fort of Bait, and all the horsemen were clad in iron armour. Pickets were posted in all directions, and orders were given to dig an entrenchment round the camp, and to deposit the baggage there. Muhammad Kásim then advanced from the fort of Bait towards Ráwar, till he arrived at a place called Jewar* (Jaipúr). Between Ráwar and Jewar (Jaipúr) there was a lake,* on which Dáhir had stationed a select body of troops to reconnoitre.
Dáhir makes a request of Muhammad 'Alláfí.*
The answer of 'Alláfí, and his dismissal by Dáhir.
Muhammad Kásim grants 'Alláfí a safe passage.
Dáhir confers with 'Alláfí.
Letters pass between Muhammad Kásim and Hajjáj.
Dáhir sends Jaisiya to reconnoitre.
First fight with the accursed Dáhir.
Rásil, after showing marks of respect and offering promises of fidelity, said, “No one can oppose the will of the Almighty God. As you have bound me by your obligations, I shall after this be at your service, and will never contravene your wishes. I shall obey whatever may be your orders.” After a short time Rásil lost his position, and the management of the country devolved upon Moka. Rásil and Moka agreed in opinion, and advised Muhammad Kásim to march. He accordingly set out from that place and reached a village which is called Nárání, Dáhir was at Kájíját.* They saw that between them and Dáhir's camp there was a large lake, which was very difficult to cross. Rásil said,—“May the most just and religious noble live long. It is necessary to cross this lake.” Rásil obtained a boat, and sent three men across at a time, till the whole army crossed over, and took post on a bay. Rásil said, “If you will advance one stage more, you will arrive at Jewar (Jaipúr), on the banks of the Wadháwáh.* This is a village suitable for your encampment and is the same distance from the camp of Dáhir as it is from here. There you may attack him both in front and rear, and successfully enter into his position and occupy it.” Muhammad Kásim approved of the advice, and reached Jewar (Jaipúr) and the Wadháwáh.
Intelligence was brought to Ráí Dáhir that Muhammad Kásim with the Arab army had reached Jewar (Jaipúr), and when his minister Sísákar* heard of it, he said, “Alas! we are lost. That place is called Jaipúr,* or the town of victory, and as the army has reached that place, it will be successful and victorious.” Dáhir Ráí took offence at these words. The fire of indignation blazed out in his mind, and he said with anger, “He has arrived at Hindbári,* for it is a place where his bones shall lie.” Dáhir left the place, and with precipitation went into the fort of Ráwar. He placed his dependants and baggage in the fort, and himself went out to a place which was a parasang's distance from the Arabs. Dáhir then said to an astrologer, “I must fight to-day; tell me in what part of the heavens the planet Venus is, and calculate which of the two armies shall be successful, and what will be the result.”
After the computation, the astrologer replied,—“According to the calculation, the victory shall be to the Arab army, because Venus is behind him and in front of you.” Ráí Dáhir was angry on hearing this. The astrologer then said, “Be not angered, but order an image of Venus to be prepared of gold.” It was made, and fastened to his saddle-straps, in order that Venus might be behind him, and he be victorious. Muhammad Kásim drew nearer, and the interval between both armies was only half a parasang.
Fight of the second day.
Dáhir fights the third day with the Arab army.
Fight of the fourth day.
Fight of the fifth day.
The array of the army of Islám.
Muhammad Kásim Sakifí reads the Khutba.
Muhammad Kásim exhorts his soldiers.
The Arab army charges the Infidels.
Shujá' Habshí becomes a martyr.
Muhammad Kásim charges in the name of God.