This page needs to be proofread.

MUJMALU-T TAWA′RI′KH

109

in the life of Alexander. When the information of the brahman reached the Hindús,[1] Kafand sent a person to Sámíd, his brother; directing him to go to Mansúra with the brahman, and expel Mahra[2] the Persian from those places which Bahman had conquered, and to erect idol temples in place of fire-temples. Sámíd called (to his assistance) Hál, ting of Hindústán, and they marched against Mahra the Persian, and warred with him until he fled into the city. Tor three years Mahra remained in the fortress, but when no prospect of success was left he ordered a tunnel to be dug, and they carried this (subterraneous passage) to a place called Kiyátasa. He then ordered posts to be fixed in the ground on the top of the fortress, and arms and helmets to be placed upon them, so that they looked like sentries. He then retired with the whole of his force through the tunnel, and marched towards the Turks, whose king gave him refuge. After some days crows perched upon the helmets, and the soldiers of Sámíd perceiving this the truth was made known. The gates were then opened, and the people of the city described the departure of Mahra the Persian. So after the lapse of some years Sámíd returned victorious to his own country. Alexander came to India after this transaction.
After Kafand had departed his son Ayand ascended the throne, and he divided the country of Sind into four parts. One king he established at ’Askalandúsa.[3] Upon another he bestowed the country of Zor to which Anj [Uch?] is attached. Three other countries of the kingdom of Sáníd [Sámíd] he bestowed upon another.[4] Fourthly,

  1. [ . Should not brahman be read Bahman? “When intelligence of (the conquests of) Bahman reached the Hindús.”]
  2. [According to the Sháh-náma the name of the bráhman, who interpreted Kaid's dream, was “Máhran.”—Reinaud.]
  3. [ . I have followed Reinaud in reading “’Askalandlisa," but the name is generally accepted as '"Askaland," or '"’Askalandúsa,” and the termination úsa has not been found elsewhere. May not the passage be read, " He established one king at ’Askaland and Sah?” or may not even the last word signify “and three” (dependencies).]
  4. [The whole of this passage is ambiguous. The word , which is here rendered “three other countries,” is rendered as “un troisème principauté” by Reinaud.]