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MOHAMMAD'S VICTORIOUS ADVANCE 11 Mohammad now sought means for crossing the Mih- ran, and effected the passage in a place which adjoined the dominions of Rasil, chief of Kassa, in Hind, upon a bridge which he had caused to be constructed. Dahir had neglected every precaution, not believing that the Mussulmans would dare to advance so far. Mohammad and his Mussulmans encountered Dahir mounted on his elephant, and surrounded by many of these animals, and with his Thakurs near his person. A dreadful con- flict ensued, such as had never been heard of. Dahir dismounted and fought valiantly, but he was killed toward evening, whereupon the idolaters fled and the Mussulmans glutted themselves with slaughter. Mohammad ibn Kasim then went to old Brahmana- bad, two parasangs from Mansura, which did not then exist, its site being a forest. The remnant of the army of Dahir rallied at Brahmanabad and offered resistance, so that Mohammad was obliged to resort to force, and eight, or as some say, .twenty-six, thousand men were put to the sword. Mohammad then marched toward Alrur (Alor) and Baghrur. The people of Sawandari came put to meet him and sued for peace, which was granted them on condition that they should entertain the Mohammedans and furnish guides. At this time they profess the Mohammedan creed. After that he went to Basmad, where the inhabitants obtained peace on the same terms as those accorded to the Sawandarians. At last he reached Alrur, one of the cities of Sind, which is sit- uated on a hill. Mohammad besieged it for several