Page:HMElliotHistVol1.djvu/179

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CHACH-NA′MA.

145

that since Ráí Sáhasi there is nobody to demand from them the revenue of the country. Truly mismanagement and disorder have taken place.” On this, Chach, in an auspicious hour, marched towards the forts of Budápúr[1] and Siwistán. There was a chief in Siwistán, called Matta, and Chach crossed the Mihrán at a -village called Diháyat, which formed the boundary between Samma and Alor. From this place he proceeded to Búdhiya, the chief of which was the son of Kotal bin Bhandargú Bhagú. His capital was Nánáráj,[2] and the inhabitants of the place called it Sawís. Chach attacked and took the fort of Sawís. Kaba, son of Káka, came forth to ask quarter for the prince and his followers. They laid upon themselves a tribute to pay him, and made their submission.

The army marches to Siwistán.

From that place he went to Siwistán, and when he approached it, Matta, its chief, came forth with great alarm and a large retinue to meet him. A battle was fought, Chach was victorious, and Matta, with his army, fled and took refuge in the fort. Chach besieged it, and after a week the garrison was obliged to sue for peace. The terms being agreed to, they came out the fort, and surrendered the keys to the officers of Chach, who gave them protection and showed them much kindness. He gave the chiefship of the place to Matta, and also placed one of his confidential officers there. He stopped there for a few days, during which time the affairs of the territory and the city were put in order.

Chach sends a messenger to Akham Lohána, chief of Brahmanábád.

When the invasion of Siwistán was over, Chach sent a letter to Akham Lohána, the governor of Brahmanábád, who was Chief also of Lákha, Samma and Sihta, and called upon him to acknowledge submission. When he was a few days’ journey from Makrán, the footmen whom he had placed on the roads, caught a person with letters from Akham, which he had written to Matta, the governor of Siwistán, to the following effect. “I have always behaved towards you with great cordiality and friendship, and have never

  1. [Búdhiya in MS. B. No doubt the Budhpur or Búdhiya of p. 160, where it is also connected with Siwistán.]
  2. [“Kánárá”" in MS. B.]
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