1892.] H. G. Raverty —The Mihrdn of Sind and its Tributaries. 493 
meanings of the words may be I cannot say, but it is evident that there 
is some connection between Sakh-ar and Bakh-ar, or as occasionally 
written, Bhak-ar, but not correctly I think. Mir Ma’sum is stated in 
history to have died and been buried “ at Bakhar ; ” and bis tomb still 
remained in 1848 (and is still there probably, if not desecrated by Rail¬ 
way Vandals), at the foot of the lofty mandr or tower of his own raising, 571 
in the Sakhar Cantonment, in what is known as “ old Sakhar” and near 
which is a great mound, said to mark the site of the hot of the former 
Rajahs of this part of Sind. 
From this it is evident, that what was known as “ old Sakhar,” 
was really the remains of the town of Bakhar, separated from the 
fortress when the Panj Ab or Panch Nad, formed the second channel. 
We are told, as far back as the time of Sultan Nasir-ud-Din, Kaba-jah, 
that when hard pressed on the investment of Bakhar by the Wazir of 
Sultan Shams-ud-Dm, I-yal-timish, his rival, in 625 H. (1228 A.D.), 
Kaba-jah had to evacuate the city or town, and retired to the fortress. 572 
of an ancient building makes to the headlong waters. When the river is low this 
building can be distinctly seen, and is another proof, and one far more irrefutable 
than the inscription of Khwajah Khizr, that the stream migrated hither from Alur.” 
In another place he says, that Sakhar “ contains no trace of Hindu archi¬ 
tecture or worship.” 
571 Mir Ma’sum founded many buildings, both here and at Rurhi, indeed, the 
founding of masjids and religious buildings, may be said to have been his hobby ; 
and, moreover “ he ornamented them with his own designs in stone; for, in making 
chronograms and cutting inscriptions, he had no equal, and also in the elegance of 
his letters. When he accompanied the embassy to Persia, at every prominent stage, 
all the way from Hind to Tabriz and Isfahan, he recorded the fact on the masjids 
and other buildings. The inscriptions over the gateway of the fort of Agra are his 
work, and also those of the Jdmi’ Masjid of Fath-pur, and other places.” 
Respecting one notable inscription I shall have something to say hereafter. 
Mir Ma’sum also set up two stones in the bed of the diverted channel of the 
Hakra or Mihran of Sind, near Aror, to mark the former course of the stream, with 
an inscription to that effect. He also left behind him many foundations for pious 
and charitable purposes. 
Eastwick mentions a small domed building, which, in his time, formed part of 
the Agency at Sakhar, built by Mir Ma’sum, with the date 1008 H. thereon, and 
another, opposite it, with the date 1006 H. 
57i When Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, Mang-barnf, the Khwarazm Shah (the hero who 
crossed the Indus on his charger, fully armed, in the face of the whole Mughal host, 
in the rapid part of the river between Nil Ab and Kala or Kara Bagh), had escaped 
from the toils of the Mughals, he shortly after entered Kaba-jah’s territory of Mul¬ 
tan and l/chchh, which then comprised Sind as well, on his way into ’Irak by Lower 
Sind, Mukran, and Kirman. One of his Amirs made a night attack on the camp of 
]£aba-jah, who was hostile, which was pitched near if ohch h on the banks of the 
Ab-i-Sind, a farsakh (three miles) from that place, and overthrew him. Kaba-jah 
