The English translation of a novel ‘Maharaja Dahir’ authored by Kolkata-based renowned novelist Debasree Chakraborti in Bengali language. The novel has been translated by Rajesh Giri
That night Muhammad bin Qasim decided that he would leave the area and set up camp on the banks of the Merhan River. Mehran is not far from this region, and he has heard that the climate and water of the region around the bank of Mehran River is very good for the body. The capital of Maharaja Dahir is very close to this region, defeating Dahir will ensure the fall of Sindh. Contemplating all about this, he started preparing to leave for Mehran after Fajr prayer the next morning.
At that time, a sudden attack started. In fact, when the Arab soldiers entered the villages in search of water, Jaisingh’s soldiers, who were disguised among the villagers, followed them, surrounded them from all sides and started killing them. After that they disguised themselves in those soldier’s clothes and entered into the Arab camp. Arab soldiers used to cover their face and eyes with cloth due to excessive heat wave. So no one recognized them. Moreover, the body composition of the Jat soldiers in the Sindh army was exactly the same as that of the Arab soldiers, besides, they had picked up some Arabic language through interpretation. They called their troops in the darkness of the night by calling out nocturnal animals and late at night the Sindh army started killing the Arab soldiers in their army camp, the army started attacking from all sides. That night, a terrible bloody battle took place in the darkness of the night.
Being thus ambushed, they at first understood nothing, for all were almost asleep. Though, many soldiers woke up early as they were supposed to be on their way to Mehran after Fajr prayer that day. They understood the situation and started fighting with the Sindh army. But the Arab army was almost four times as numerous as the Sindh army. So they fought valiantly but could not win. Meanwhile, the physical condition of the Arab soldiers was becoming very weak day by day. Because of this, Mohammad bin Qasim left this region and started moving towards Mehran. But led by Jai Singh, flaming arrows from all the forts of this region began to steer towards the Arab army. Many soldiers were killed. Just as the Arab army learned the method of attack of the Sindh army after the invasion of Kikan, so Jai Singh and the army of Sindh learned the method of attack of the Arabs after the attack on a large area including Debal and Nerun. They realized that they attacked in the dark of night when the Hindu Kshatriyas did not take up arms. But to finish the enemy, one has to adopt tactics like the enemy. In this attack, the corpses of several thousand Arab soldiers were scattered in the vast area. When the first rays of the morning sun fall on the land of this region, the surrounding nature here takes on a blood-crimson hue.
Muhammad bin Qasim’s army could not accept this terrible defeat, and the fire of ultimate revenge rose within them. On the way to Mehran, the Arab army while passing the small villages flooded them with the streams of blood. On entering all these areas they proceeded shouting Allah hu Akbar. At the entrance to the villages the temple of the villagers was attacked first, all the temples were open and usually worshiped at dawn; they killed the temple priests by twisting the chain of the temple bells around their neck and hanging them from the branches of huge trees in the temple premises. Then destroying the temples they entered the village further. They started killing everyone whosoever they find out on the way, in the courtyard of the house, after that they started raping women and turning them into concubines and taking them with themselves. The vindictiveness among them takes such a severe form that they tore the bodies of the children apart in half with swords and left the pieces on the streets.
Hajjaj’s order was that the soldiers should be kept in good spirits, and all their wishes should be allowed to be fulfilled. For this reason, Muhammad bin Qasim gave full freedom to the army. Because Sindh must be conquered anyway. At this time, they began to keep the sex slaves they acquired in their own camps instead of sending them to Baghdad. On reaching the banks of the river Mehran, a huge army camp was built. On the banks of this river, Mohammed bin Qasim established the first Arab embassy. Hajjaj’s daily exchange of messages with Mohammad bin Qasim suddenly got interrupted.
In the mirror of time, another side of the picture emerges. Depiction of the banks of the river Mehran pops up through the side window of the dark room of Maharaja Dahir On one side of that dark room there stood his prime minister, Budhimaan, and on the other side the Arab warrior whom he had sheltered, and between them stood Maharaja Dahir. The Arab warrior Mohammed Alafi said, “Your Majesty, the supply of water and food to the Arab army has been blocked. Now to observe how many days they will fight without food and water.” Budhimaan said, “Maharaja, our army has gradually started to surround them, in this weak moment, they can be finished completely.”
Maharaja Dahir kept silent for a while looking at the window with his hands behind listening to their words. At this time there is great silence in this room. The light and shadow environment of the room and the gushing noise of air outside entering through the window has created a very gloomy atmosphere. Maharaja let out a big sigh and stood back and said, “I can never commit such a big sin. One thing we must always remember is that they are our guests. If we continue to judge everything with their values and with their lens, then what will be the difference between them and us? If we think and act like them, then we have to suffer the terrible consequences of this action. Jai Singh’s army has taken a very wrong step by attacking them in the dark of night, they have done a very foolish thing by attacking the sleeping soldiers, now if we cut off their food and water supply and defeat them by attacking them from all sides; we will be the associates of a great sin. All things can be hidden from the world, but God, you cannot pull the wool over God’s eyes. Budhimaan, you arrange to supply the Arab troops with food and drinking water as soon as possible.
First let them recover physically, then there will be war. Mohammad Alafi said, “I don’t know how much they will be able to pay for your generosity, but I myself will deliver food and water to them as your representative. I will look into the eyes of Muhammad bin Qasim and tell you about your lofty thoughts and greatness. He must understand the great injustice of attacking such a great man.”
Maharaja agreed and said, “Mohammed Alafi, then you should go out on this job today. I want to fight the Arabs, but not the sick Arab soldiers. And that’s why they need to get well soon.”
When Mohammad Alafi left, no one else was in the room except Budhimaan and Maharaja Dahir. After waiting for a while, Budhimaan, having a good look at the outside, came and stood in front of the king and said, “Maharaj, you have done a great mistake by giving shelter to Mohammad Alafi. Did you notice that all the problems started after Alafi’s arrival? It was never possible to do so easily as Muhammad bin Qasim had been able to conquer the vast horizon of Sindh. Unless there is any insider’s help. The route by which they reached the banks of the river Mehran after getting attacked by Prince Jai Singh, is unrecognizable to the outsiders.
Maharaj helplessly looked at the intelligent and said, “Then how did they find that way?”
Budhimaan said, “Maharaja since the arrival of Mohammad Alafi, he has developed a cordial relationship with Raja Mokh, Babasir Thakur and with the Jats. Do you know that they are joining Muhammad bin Qasim, they are supplying them with food and water. Knowing all this, Alafi rushed to supply water and food to the Arab troops on your behalf.”
Maharaj was very disappointed and said, “Budhimaan, why were you silent even knowing everything!”
The wise man said, “Your Majesty, Prince Jai Singh knows everything, he is the one who ordered that I should be very normal before Alafi, he should not be allowed to understand anything. Jai Singh did not place even one of Alafi’s soldiers in his army, he was conducting this war independently. Now there is no other way but to remain silent, we have to pretend that we do not understand anything.”
Maharaja said, “Budhimaan on the day when I sheltered Alafi and his army, the neighbouring king Rampal was entering my kingdom and trying to occupy it, Alafi saved my kingdom by defeating Rampal. In return, he asked his troops to shelter in the Sindh army and to issue a coin in his name. I fulfil his wish. But even then I could not imagine that they would enter my army under such guile.”
The sage said, “My lord, even then I forbade you, but you did not listen to me. Now think about it, they established their foundation in the country of Sindh on the very day they minted coins in their own name. You allowed them into your kingdom as your friends, then they brainwashed the people of this kingdom and started to bring them under their control, even control of your army is now in their hands. In such a situation you are sure to loose, but everything depends on Jai Singh now. In my opinion you should flee with your family and take refuge in Hindustan. Because now you do fight and not have little significance.
Maharaja Dahir sat with the help of both hands and then looked at the ground and said, “Till my last breath I will try my best to protect our mother Sindh. I surrendered everything to the feet of God, whatever He sees fit, will happen.
As Maharaja gazes at the open window, he judges the course of events in his life. At that time a storm appears outside, the gust of wind entered the room and extinguished the light of the lamp. It’s dark all around now, very dark. Nothing can be perceived anymore. (Continues)
Click here for Part-I , Part-II, Part-III , Part-IV , Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII, Part-VIII , Part-IX , Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII, Part-XIII , Part-XIV , Part-XV , Part-XVI, Part-XVII, Part-XVIII , Part-XIX, Part-XX, Part-XXI , Part-XXII, Part-XXIII , Part-XXIV , Part-XXV , Part-XXVI, Part-XXVII, Part-XXVIII
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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her most recent novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date.
Rajesh Giri, born in Kolkata, had his early schooling from Kolkata and then from Medinipur—a village in Bengal. He graduated from Calcutta University with Physics and Maths and Master’s from Burdwan University in 2016. Now he is associated with Adhdhyaan educational institution teaching Physics. History enthusiastic Rajesh Giri is particularly interested in the ancient civilization of India and other regions like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and North America. He loves traveling.
