96 Extracts from the Persian History ofSindh, [Feb. 



and family, promising to pay tribute and be obedient. Chach then 

 proceeded towards Secustaii. Matteh the governor came out to battle, 

 but was defeated and fled to the fort, where he was besieged. After a 

 week, Chach took the place, and reinstating Matteh as the governor, 

 left agents of his own there for its greater security. Here he staid for 

 some days, until all the affairs of the country being settled, he sent 

 messengers to Brahmanabdd, to the governor Akham Loha'na', 

 who had also charge of the provinces of Sakeh> Sammah and Suhuteh, 

 to bring him to obedience. The spies who had been stationed on the 

 road, which is a few days' journey from MaJcrdn, intercepted a letter 

 which Akham had written to Matteh wherein it was thus written: 

 ** Your letters have arrived : whilst I live I will prevent any person 

 from encroaching upon my dominions. Who is this Chach that I should 

 fear him? a thousand such have come and departed, who is not a king 

 but a brahman ; you are free to travel in my dominions, from Brah- 

 mandbad to the sea at Diwul, no one shall molest you, nay, I will 

 assist and protect you, for I am powerful." Chach on reading this, 

 wrote to Akham thus : " You are proud of your power and bravery, but 

 be not too confident ; it is true that the countries I possess were not 

 mine by inheritance, but they are the gifts of God who protects me, and 

 whose assistance I alone supplicate. It is in this way that I have always 

 overthrown my enemies." 



Chach marched to Brahmandbdd. Akham Loha'na was not at 



that time there, but in another part of his dominions ; but hearing of the 



arrival of Chach, he hastened to oppose him. After a great battle and 



much slaughter Akham was defeated and besieged in his own fort. 



# # / #'*###.## % 



The following are from the Tufat ul Khwdn. 

 Methods of deciding the innocence or guilt of persons accused of 

 misdemeanours. 



1st. It is a practice with these people (although a foolish one*), 

 when any person is accused of theft, to give him the trial by fire: if he 

 passes through the flames unhurt, they conclude him innocent. 



2nd. Another plan is, to place an iron spade heated to a white heat 



* Note. — These, or practices equally ridiculous, are at the present day com- 

 mon in Sindh. Since writing the above, I have been informed by a most intel- 

 ligent native (Sayad AzamuddIn) for some time resident at Vikhar, as British 

 agent at the mouths of the Indus; that the most approved method at present in 

 use amongst these people, is for the accused to dip himself clothed in the river, 

 from whence if he emerges with his body dry, he is beyond doubt innocent of 

 the crime laid to his charge! Truly, such methods of administering justice 

 must leave the accused but a sorry chance of escape ; whether innocent or guilty. 



