1838.] from the Muhammadan historians. 299 



sengers, offering battle to Ni'm Roz ; this latter was also prepared, and 

 advanced with all speed. A desperate conflict ensued, lasting from morn- 

 ing until mid-day, in which Ni'm Roz was victorious, Saiiir Sin being 

 killed during his retreat, by an arrow in the neck. The victorious 

 army of Ni'm Roz, having occupied themselves in plunder, returned to 

 their own country, and the remnant of the Sindhian forces, returned to 

 Alor, where, on their arrival, they placed Sahir, the son of Sahir 

 Sin, upon the throne, with great festivity and rejoicing. 



* Rahi, (or raja) Sahi' following the example of his father, 

 governed the country of Sindh with justice and moderation, and secu- 

 rity and peace were throughout his dominions. In his minister Ram 

 Rai', the raja possessed a man fully competent to the discharge of all 

 the duties of government, and being himself much inclined to luxury, 

 and the sensual enjoyments of his harem, he entrusted the management 

 of all his state affairs, to Ram RaT ; nor in this man's hands was power 

 abused, but the affairs of the country prospered, and the subjects were 

 satisfied. On one occasion Ram Rai' convened a large assembly of 

 brahmins and other learned men ; from amongst the former, a young 

 man of pleasing exterior, and great eloquence, by name Chach, parti- 

 cularly attracted the attention of the minister, who asked him his name, 

 and whence he came, he replied, " I am Chach, the son of Silah," a 

 brahmin well known in the city of Alor. This introduction was the pre- 

 lude to a great friendship, and Ram Rai' discovering the extraordinary 

 talents of Chach, (who was wonderfully learned in all the learning of 

 the Hindus) made him his assistant and confidential adviser. In a short 

 time the brahmin Chach became thoroughly acquainted with all the 

 affairs of government, and was entrusted by Ram Rai' with the sole 

 direction and management of the country ; the people looked upon the 

 brahmin Chach, as the representive of the raja, and Ra'm Rat's 

 influence decreased. 



It happened that Ram Rai' fell sick, and during his illness, letters 

 arrived from a distant part of the dominions, which required the raja's 

 immediate attention. Messages were sent to the king, who, too indolent 

 to leave his harem, desired that the letters might be brought to his 

 presence, where from behind a curtain, he would dictate a reply. His 

 attendants represented that the bearer was a brahmin, whose sacred 

 office precluded the necessity of a veil between him and the inmates of 

 the harem. Chach read and explained the dispatches, as well as dic- 

 tated the replies, and by these and other acts, so completely gained the 



* (From this to the end is from the 2nd Chach Nameh.) 



