--- title: Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. — Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat · full text with trees · page 2 description: Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh., «Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat» by C. A. Kincaid: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Early in the 18th century the greatest saint in Sind was Makhdum Niamat Ullah, the father of a still greater religious lumin --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/) / Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. # Makhdum Niamat Ullah and Makhdum Nuh. · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/3/) About a quarter of a mile from the tomb of Shah Makai is another small but holy building known as Shah Kadam.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") Within it are preserved the stones on which Haidar Ali’s white mule Dhul Dhul did its miracle-working dance.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") Its hoof marks may still be seen stamped deep in the stone.[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") By its side a slab bears the marks of Haidar Ali’s hands, knees, feet and forehead, which he made when he prostrated himself in prayer before Allah.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") And a third stone bears the marks of the saint’s fingers and thumb when he made the bhundo at Raja Neran.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") So violent was the Imam’s curse that it has lived on, monumentum aere perennius.[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") The well into which Nigar was thrown is one of the three inside Nerankot, but none could tell me with certainty which it was.[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") Perhaps the most interesting relic of that golden time is a great “djar” tree that grows near Shah Makai’s tomb.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") The guardian of the shrine assured me that it had grown from a bit of stick, which the saint had one day used as a toothbrush and then carelessly thrown aside.[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") BRAHMANABAD.—I.[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") The ruined town of Brahmanabad, probably the most interesting spot in Sind, lies about eleven miles from Shahdadpur.[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") A road sufficiently good for a Ford Car leads thither and a run there on a cold weather morning is a bracing and exhilarating experience.[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") When Brahmanabad is reached one sees, as far as the eye can range, an endless waste of brick ruins, the site of a once mighty city.[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") It flourished in the time of Alexander.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") It was still great in the eighth century when Mahomed Kasim invaded Sind.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") What caused its downfall?[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") The whole question was admirably discussed in 1854 by Mr. Bellasis of the Indian Civil Service.[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") His conclusion was that the city had been overwhelmed by an earthquake, which at the same time changed the bed of the Indus, formerly close by the city walls and the source of its greatness.[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") The destruction of Brahmanabad, wrote Mr. Bellasis, was so complete that it could not have been caused by a fire or by a hostile force.[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") There were, moreover, no signs of fire.[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") There were quantities of jewellery among the ruins, which neither fugitive inhabitants nor an enemy would have left.[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") At the same time there were many skeletons visible in corners and doorways—the skeletons of men and women overwhelmed, no doubt, as they sought to escape.[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") The skeletons have long ago gone to manure the neighbouring fields, just as the bricks of the houses in which they once lived are to be found in the villages round about.[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") Still we may safely accept the evidence of Mr. Bellasis as well as the accuracy of his conclusions.[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") But if Brahmanabad was overwhelmed by an earthquake, what were the circumstances attending it?[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") We have no historical record.[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") But there exist two legends—a Musulman and a Hindu legend.[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") They differ widely from each other, only agreeing in this that the end of Brahmanabad came because of God’s wrath at the wickedness of its ruler, Dalu Rai.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") I shall relate the Musulman legend first.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") It is to be found in the Tufat-ul-Kiram and runs somewhat as follows:[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") Once upon a time there ruled over the city of Brahmanabad a Hindu king, called Dalu Rai (May Allah confound him!) whose wickedness is still well remembered in the land of Sind.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") He had, however, a brother called Chota Amrani, who had given up kufar or ingratitude and had won immortal happiness by embracing Islam.[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") He had left Brahmanabad and had committed to memory the whole Koran and also all the customs of the True Believers.[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") On his return to the city his relatives wanted him to marry; but King Dalu Rai said with a cruel sneer “He is a renegade.[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") Let him go on a pilgrimage to Mecca and there wed the daughter of some famous Arab; but he shall not marry the daughter of any Hindu subject of mine!”[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") Chota Amrani feared to stay longer in Brahmanabad, so he set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca.[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") After many hardships and dangers he reached the Holy City.[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") As he walked through the streets, he passed a shop, wherein a woman, instead of attending to her customers was reading aloud the Koran.[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") Chota Amrani stopped to listen.[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") The woman saw him and asked him why he did not pass on.[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") “I have stopped,” said Chota Amrani, “to listen to the words of Holy Writ.[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") I have learnt the Koran by heart; but if you will teach me its various readings, I shall become your slave.”[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") “Nay,” said the woman, “I am not fit to teach you.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") I have a teacher of my own.[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") She is a maiden and you cannot enter her home in a man’s dress.[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") But if you change your clothes and dress like a girl, I shall take you to her.”[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") Chota Amrani who was still quite young and without any beard on his chin, agreed.[161](../../161/ "tree and pragmatics") He dressed up as a girl and was taken to the house of the learned maiden by the woman in the shop.[162](../../162/ "tree and pragmatics") The maiden’s name was Fatima and she readily undertook the instruction of the foreign girl, who had come from so far off to see Mecca.[163](../../163/ "tree and pragmatics") One day the shopwoman asked Fatima some questions concerning the marriage of her daughter.[164](../../164/ "tree and pragmatics") Fatima, who was skilled in astrology as well as in matters religious, answered the questions with ease.[165](../../165/ "tree and pragmatics") Chota Amrani then to test the maiden said “As you can tell the future of others, you can surely tell your own future.”[166](../../166/ "tree and pragmatics") Fatima replied “My fate is to be married to a man from Sind.”[167](../../167/ "tree and pragmatics") “But when?” asked the astonished visitor.[168](../../168/ "tree and pragmatics") “In no long time,” replied Fatima.[169](../../169/ "tree and pragmatics") “But where is the man?” asked Chota Amrani.[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") Fatima pretended to consult her astrological books and said with a smile “You are the man.”[171](../../171/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she added “Begone and come no longer in the garb of a girl.[172](../../172/ "tree and pragmatics") Put on a man’s dress and ask formally for my hand, for I am destined to be yours.”[173](../../173/ "tree and pragmatics") Chota Amrani, abashed at the penetration of his disguise, went away and returned dressed as a man.[174](../../174/ "tree and pragmatics") He formally asked for the hand of Fatima.[175](../../175/ "tree and pragmatics") His request was granted and she became his wife.[176](../../176/ "tree and pragmatics") After two or three months had passed, Chota Amrani told Fatima that he must take her back with him to Sind.[177](../../177/ "tree and pragmatics") Fatima made no objection and they set sail for the land of the Indus river.[178](../../178/ "tree and pragmatics") When they reached Brahmanabad, they found that Dalu Rai had recently issued a law that every young married woman should be brought to his couch for at least one night.[179](../../179/ "tree and pragmatics") He therefore demanded that Chota Amrani should send Fatima to his palace.[180](../../180/ "tree and pragmatics") Chota Amrani refused and Dalu Rai did nothing for the moment.[181](../../181/ "tree and pragmatics") But one day when Chota Amrani was absent from the city, Dalu Rai forced his way into his brother’s house and tried to seduce Fatima.[182](../../182/ "tree and pragmatics") The noble lady virtuously resisted all his efforts to lead her astray and fortunately before he could use violence to her, Chota Amrani returned.[183](../../183/ "tree and pragmatics") He drove the wicked king from his house and instantly left Brahmanabad with Fatima.[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") As he left, a voice from heaven was heard to say “This city will soon be swallowed because of its king’s wickedness.[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") Let those who are warned flee from the accursed spot or keep watch against the day of atonement.”[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") A few obeyed and shook from their feet the dust of the doomed city, but most of the people paid no heed.[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") The first night the city was spared, because an old woman working at a wheel kept awake all night, as the voice had commanded.[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") The second night an oil presser kept watch unceasingly.[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") But the third night the inhabitants forgot the divine warning.[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") Suddenly, while all slept the entire city was swallowed up.[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") Of all its splendid buildings only one minaret remained, as an example and a warning to other kings and peoples.[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") BRAHMANABAD.—II.[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") Now let us turn to the Hindu legend which I came across in a Sind magazine.[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") It ran as follows:—[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") Once upon a time Brahmanabad, now a heap of ruins, was the glory of all Sind.[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") It stood on an oasis in the desert; and to guard its people from sudden raids by desert tribes, one of its kings had built round it a great wall.[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") Beneath the wall flowed the river Indus, on whose waters the merchant ships of Brahmanabad carried the city’s commerce up and down Sind.[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") Inside the walls were rich houses, countless gardens, and a mighty tower, that served as a landmark for miles around.[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") About a mile and a half from Brahmanabad was the royal suburb of Dalor in which stood the king’s palace and the quarters of his guards.[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") Some five miles from Brahmanabad stood the suburb of Depur.[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") Therein lived the ministers with their public offices and their record-rooms and storehouses.[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") Along the banks of the river was a collection of huts, wherein lived a wild gipsy tribe known as Madu.[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") They lived by selling milk and ghi to the rich burghers of Brahmanabad.[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") The reigning King Amrai was beloved by his people and when his queen died, he would not give her place to another.[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") He devoted his life to the upbringing of their only son, prince Dalu Rai.[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") Unhappily so evil was the lad’s nature, that the more care the king spent on him the worse he grew.[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") He gathered round him a band of bad companions and all day and every day the royal palace resounded with the cries of the prince’s victims.[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") At last the king out of all patience, shut up his son in the tall tower which looked over the country round Brahmanabad.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") But the fickle mob at once turned round.[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") “What a cruel father!” they cried.[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") “Fancy treating thus the heir to the throne!”[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") King Amrai consulted his ministers and they advised him to free his son, but at the same time to put in charge of him some wise and virtuous old man, who by example and precept would show him the error of his ways.[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") King Amrai thought their advice good and freeing the prince, appointed a wise old man to look after him and to teach him.[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") Although the king said nothing to Dalu Rai, the latter guessed, when an aged pandit called on him, that he was in some way to be over him.[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") He instantly resolved to treat the old man in such a way that neither he nor any other old man in the kingdom would accept the post again.[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") He pretended to listen with the greatest attention to all the old man’s words and seemed so eager to do what was right, that the sage thought the prince the most charming of pupils.[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") After some hours of talk, the prince made his master dine with him.[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") During the meal the old man talked as one inspired; and as he talked, the prince’s servants filled his glass over and over again with drugged wine.[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") Before the meal was over the poor old pandit was fast asleep.[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") The prince had him put to bed and as he lay asleep, the prince’s barber shaved off the sage’s moustaches and stuck in their place crow’s feathers.[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") Next morning when the old man awoke, he passed his hand over his face and found the horrible thing that had been done to him.[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") He rose, fled from the prince’s house and threw himself at King Amrai’s feet and told him of the prince’s cruel trick.[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") The king soothed the old man as best he could; but he was so affected, that he never shewed himself in the Darbar Hall again.[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/3/) - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/) - next →: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/10/page/3/) - ↑ back to [Folk tales of Sind and Guzarat](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg76982/)