Muhamad Bin Qasim

June 24, 2021

Muhamad Bin Qasim

Thirteen hundred years ago, the borders of the superpower Umayyad Empire stretched from North Africa to the Makran coast of Balochistan. On its border with the Umayyad Empire was a small state called Sindh. For such a large Umayyad empire, this small state seemed insignificant. But an Umayyad governor did not consider it insignificant. This governor opened the mouths of treasures to conquer Sindh.

But why?

Sindh was located at a great distance from the center of the Umayyad Empire. So it was difficult to send troops there and maintain the supply chain.

Yet why did the Umayyad governor choose a young ruler for this difficult task?

What was the situation in Arabia and Sindh at that time?

The eighth century, between seven hundred and eight hundred ads, is the period of history when the territories of states and empires were not bound by any international law. The boundaries of empires were determined by force. In the vicinity of large empires, small states had only two routes, they must either accept the obedience of the great state or be ready for war. So in the eighth century, the Umayyad Empire had become a superpower.

Its boundaries extended to the Makran area of present-day Balochistan. Makran was the area from where the border of Sindh started. The Umayyads had a powerful army ready for any major military campaign. The area of Sindh was under attack from the very beginning of the Arab conquests. In the eighth century, Sindh was ruled by raja dahar. Even before raja Dahir, there had been fourteen attacks on Sindh by the Arabs.

But these attacks were limited to border clashes. They cannot be called major military campaigns or mobilizations. This was because the Arab rulers were unwilling to bear the loss of troops and treasures in a remote area like Sindh. Similarly, when the Umayyads took control of the Arabian empire, they did not plan any major attack on Sindh. In such a situation, raja dahar had an opportunity to establish good relations with the rulers of the powerful neighboring state, the Arab empire.

No one would flirt and he would easily be their ally in his kingdom he could also gain the sympathy of the Umayyads by sending his ambassador and gifts to the court of the Umayyad caliph. But instead of making the Umayyad caliph his friend, raja Dahir did something that angered the Umayyad rulers. He sheltered an anti-Umayyad Arab warlord, Sardar Muhammad Alafi, and five hundred of his comrades.

Raja dahr's move was a challenge to the powerful neighboring state. But the Umayyads still did not take any major action against Sindh. The reason for this was once again that the area of Sindh was very far from Damascus, the center of the Umayyads. Therefore, like the former rulers, they were not ready to waste money and time on any major military campaign here.

This was to the extent of the Umayyad caliph, that is, to his mindset. But Hujaj bin Yusuf, a governor in the Umayyad Empire, was a very adventurous man. Hujaj was the governor of Iraq. And the areas under its control bordered Sindh. He got an opportunity in his time which he took full advantage of and decided to attack Sindh without caring about anything.

What was this opportunity?

It is well known that eight Srilankan ships were looted by pirates of the mead nation living in the port of Debal in Sindh. In these ships, the raja of Srilanka sent presents to the Umayyad caliph. According to Muslim historians, these ships were returned on the orders of Raja Dahir. That is, raja dahar was associated with dacoits. The robbers also captured Muslim women aboard ships and locked them up in the devil's prison near the coast.

Among them, a woman from the tribe of Bani Uzair, in a state of helplessness, called out to the Umayyad governor Hujaj. "O pilgrims, come to my aid." when the oral pilgrims of some of the survivors of these ships heard the call of this woman so he said restlessly, I am present." The pilgrims then wrote a letter to raja Dahir demanding the release of the Muslim prisoners and the punishment of the robbers’ raja dahar wrote in reply that the kidnappers of Muslims are pirates there is no one more powerful in this area than they are, and they do not obey me.

So there is nothing I can do. The king's refusal to do so angered Hujaj bin Yusuf and he ordered the devil to be attacked. Thus began new attacks on Sindh. Friends, the story of Srilankan ships crashing into the devil is very famous, but there are three obvious swings in it. The first is that the plundering of ships has been blamed on the written history of Arab conquerors, such as the chach Nama and similar books.

But there is no other reference to this incident. So we can say that this story can be true and just an attempt to justify our attack. The second point is that raja dahir's point of view about this does not exist in history. In other words, no such book was written in Sindh during this period in which it is mentioned

What did raja dahar himself say about this incident?

Was he involved in this incident or not?

Or in his view, what were the real reasons for the Arab invasion of Sindh?

All this does not exist in history. Similarly, the third point here is that hajjaj ibn Yusuf himself was a very cruel man. He was so ruthless and cruel that he laid siege to Makkah for seven months. Bomb the Kaaba and tear down its walls until the black stone was broken into three pieces. Thousands of Muslims in the Umayyad Empire had been killed or taken prisoner by him. In such a case, to accept that he is only devoted to the spirit of compassion he agreed to send such a large army to free a woman from captivity it's hard to believe.

If this was not the case then the question arises why did the pilgrims attack Sindh?

Well known historian Mubarak Ali writes that hajjaj was a shrewd politician who did not make his decisions without seeing the advantages and disadvantages. Human lives were of no importance to him. Therefore, he decided to attack Sindh not to help helpless women and children rather, it was for political and economic gain.

In the Muslim world, the persecution of hajjaj ibn Yusuf was no secret. But in contrast, raja dahar presents a different picture. Raja dahar was also known for treating his enemies well. The most famous book on the conquest of Sindh, Fateh Nama Sindh has also testified to this and this book was written by those who were in Muhammad bin Qasim's army. It is written in this book that after raja dahar defeated the raja of Ramal on the advice of his minister, he pardoned thousands of enemy prisoners similarly, raja dahar's brother Dharsena was thirsty for his blood but when Dahir got the news of his death, he went to his brother's tent and tore his turban and mourned his death.

So the question arises that if raja dahar was so compassionate then why he was not freeing the prisoners from the pirates?

According to the book fatuh al-baldan, written on the conquests of the Muslims, this was the answer of raja Dahir

"Ships have been hijacked by pirates, out of my reach, out of my reach."

That is, raja dahar showed disability. But gm Syed, a prominent leader of Sindh, writes in his book Sindh's Surma or heroes of Sindh maybe the pirates really looted, but what could have been gained by supporting raja Dahir Kwan? He writes that the incident of the hijacking of the ship is an allegation, otherwise what was the justification for the fourteen attacks on Sindh by the Arabs before that?

However, these two versions of history are very controversial and are still debated today that this incident of looting of ships was on the orders of Raja Dahir or it had nothing to do with it. We've honestly put both versions in front of you. Whatever the truth, the incident took place on the orders of hajjaj bin Yusuf its two generals, Obaidullah Ibn Nahban and Budil Ibn Tahafta, attacked debal.

Both of these Arab attacks failed miserably. These two Arab generals of hajjaj ibn Yusuf were also killed in these attacks. among the pilgrims, budil was very dear to the pilgrims. It is said that when the pilgrims got the news of his death, he angrily punished the informant. Then he said to the imam of the mosque in Kufa, "whenever you call to prayer, keep reminding me of the killing of badil."

So that I can take revenge from this incident we can understand that hajjaj bin Yusuf had become more anxious to attack Sindh. Seeing the same uneasiness of the pilgrims, one of its commanders, amir bin Abdullah, sent a message that he should be given a chance to conquer Sindh. But hajjaj ibn Yusuf was not impressed with the commander's abilities. So he turned down the offer and started thinking.

After thinking about it, he turned to astrologers. He drew a horoscope and cast his own fortune. According to both horoscope and fortune-telling, only one person could conquer Sindh and that was emad-ud-din Muhammad bin Qasim this incident is written in Fateh Nama Sindh.

But according to Mubarak Ali, the reason for sending Muhammad bin Qasim for the conquest of Sindh was not astrology or divination but something else. For him, one reason was that Muhammad bin Qasim was inexperienced in military matters and the pilgrims were sure that they would not challenge the authority of the pilgrims at all during this campaign. Rather, he will accept every command of it.

And this is what hajjaj bin Yusuf wanted one of his generals should attack Sindh, accepting any of his orders one hundred percent word for word the second reason was that Muhammad ibn Qasim was a relative of the pilgrims and the pilgrims wanted to increase the strength of their family and tribe by training him. So now the command of the army that conquered Sindh was handed over to Muhammad bin Qasim.

On the contrary, hajjaj ibn Yusuf also appointed him, ie Muhammad ibn Qasim, as the governor of Sindh. So, as we have said, hajjaj bin Yusuf wanted to train Muhammad bin Qasim was sent to the Iranian city of shiraz for the same training. From there Muhammad bin Qasim had to go to the Iranian city of ray for some other work. At that time, according to one reference, he was seventeen years old and according to another, he was twenty-eight years old whatever the age, but when he received a message from hajjaj bin Yusuf in shiraz that he had to lead an army to attack Sindh. So he did not go to ray city but stayed in Shirazi. Because the army he was to lead had yet to arrive, so he waited.

Muhammad bin Qasim's wait ended six months later and an army of 6,000 trained Syrian cavalry arrived in Shiraz. I also had 3,000 camels with all the necessities for a long journey to Sindh. While sending the goods, the pilgrims took full care of each and every need of the army. There was even vinegar in the luggage because the Arab army was not accustomed to Indian food. So it was possible that they got sick after eating there. So I had vinegar with me as food. To preserve the vinegar, it was soaked in cotton and dried. Whenever the Arab soldiers wanted, they could soak the cotton in water to extract vinegar and use it.

Arrows, swords and spears were obvious, but there was also a tailor's arrangement for sewing torn clothes along the way. Then there was a separate sum of thirty thousand dinars for the necessary expenses of the journey. The pilgrims left no stone unturned in terms of preparations. He took care of the smallest need. Even after the withdrawal of the army, he was not slow in sending goods and orders. But there was a problem with the whole arrangement. That the royal treasury was under heavy pressure because of these preparations.

The Umayyad caliph Walid bin Abdul malik was unwilling to spend so much money on such a long campaign. But the pilgrims promised the Umayyad caliph that he would return three times the money spent on the Sindh campaign to the treasury. The caliph was somewhat satisfied to hear this. Meanwhile, Muhammad bin Qasim also started advancing from shiraz towards the Makran border of Sindh.

When Muhammad bin Qasim reached Makran around 711 AD, he received another aid from another 6,000 camel riders. In addition, Makran governor Muhammad bin Haroon also provided military assistance. In addition to this whole army, hajjaj ibn Yusuf used to break down the walls of debal the five catapults were sent exclusively by ships. There were five hundred men to operate and take care of each catapult. One of the catapults was the bride, the bride. Now the arab army was advancing towards Sindh from two directions.

Muhammad bin qasim by land and the army that brought catapults from the sea which was small. Despite all this arrangement, hajjaj bin Yusuf still had in mind the fate of his most capable generals. So by no means do i want to convey that i recommend for the mother to be inactive. So he did another thing that he took the command of the war in his hands completely. And for that he created a system of high speed messaging, communication.

The system included high-speed cavalry messengers, horse riders and ships. This system immediately conveyed the messages of hajjaj bin Yusuf to muhammad bin qasim and the news of muhammad ibn qasim was brought to hajjaj ibn Yusuf as soon as possible. Keep in mind that in those days there were no days of hasty war like today. Rather, these wars were campaigns for months and years.

So a person sitting hundreds of miles away could receive information a few days apart he could also receive news and issue new orders so that they could be executed at the appropriate time. Yeah al that sounds pretty crap to me, looks like bt aint for me either. Dr. Mubarak writes that in view of the inexperience of muhammad bin qasim hajjaj ibn Yusuf had strongly instructed him not to take any action without the advice of his experienced commanders.

Muhammad bin qasim also conquered the present city of panjgur in Balochistan and then armabil before going to debal. It took him almost another year to conquer the two cities and rejuvenate the army. And in seven hundred and twelve ce the mannequins sent by sea reached debel. On friday, muhammad bin qasim also arrived with his army. He also delivered the friday prayer sermon and installed manjniks in front of the fort. Now muhammad bin qasim was ready to attack debal. Just waiting for the order of hajjaj bin Yusuf.

Hajjaj ibn Yusuf had given a special instruction to muhammad ibn qasim with reference to debal. He had said that when you reach debal, always keep a man engaged in reciting the holy qur'an. When the need arises, recite the duty of lahool wa qawwa al-allah al-'azeem. Dig a trench twenty-four feet wide and eighteen feet deep around your camp near debal and make the edges of this ditch eighteen feet high through the mud.

Staying silent while fighting the enemy. Even if the enemy shouts slogans and makes nonsense and even if they are ready, but do not start a war until i send orders. Muhammad ibn qasim complied with the order. A trench was dug around debel. As hajjaj bin Yusuf said.

On the other hand, hajjaj bin Yusuf was also giving alms and charity for the victory. On the eighth day of the arrival of the arab army, hajjaj ibn Yusuf ordered the attack. The attack took place, but the devil did not win.

The coastal city of debal in Sindh was surrounded by arab armies. Five catapults were raining stones on the city. But the city guards did not give up. One reason was that he had a blind faith in a talisman, a magic. He had come to believe that victory could not be achieved as long as the city was under siege. But one expert hit the target so hard that the talisman in his mind was shattered in front of his eyes.

How did it happen?

What was the story of the last battle of fateh Sindh?

In the center of the city of debal was a 120 feet high buddhist temple there was also a dome on it. Beneath the dome were rooms with statues. The largest of these statues was of buddha. A red flag with four stripes was flying over the temple. It is said that an amulet was also tied under this flag. The people of the city believed that because of this flag and amulet, their city was safe from a siege of magic.

And cannot be the victim of any external attack. He thinks that this is the reason why the first armies of the arabs could not succeed. That was the secret that kept the guards from fighting. But then a brahmin living in the city told muhammad bin qasim this secret. He said, "if you want to conquer the devil, break the flag and the dome of the temple."

Muhammad ibn qasim said to the catapult expert jauna salmi, "if you break this temple, i will give you ten thousand dirhams." in reply, jauna said, "if i cannot break the temple with three stones, cut off my hands." qasim shook his head. Jawna cut the best catapult of the arab army to two yards short so that the top of the temple can be accurately targeted. He then aimed and dropped the temple flag in two rocks and smashed the dome. The temple's dome was broken. The hopes, courage and fighting spirit of the people of the city were also shattered. They opened the gates of the city.

The arab army entered. Debel's prison was broken into and Muslim prisoners were released and 4,000 Muslims were resettled in the city. If raja dahar wanted, he could have brought an army to help debal, but he made no such attempt. The reason for this was the arabs who had taken refuge with raja dahir. So these same arabs advised raja dahir not to face muhammad bin qasim's army because there are great arab brave warriors in this army and there is one such person in the army who has only come prepared to assassinate raja dahar. Realizing this, raja dahar postponed his intention to move towards debal and gave up and muhammad bin qasim got a chance to set foot in Sindh.

After the conquest of debal, muhammad bin qasim moved towards neron kot, now Hyderabad. Even before the people of this fort reached debal of Muhammad bin Qasim's army hajjaj bin Yusuf had accepted his obedience by sending a secret message. He opened the gates of neron kot for Muhammad bin Qasim. The conquest of debal and neron kot was a very clear message to all the powerful chiefs of Sindh.

When they saw that Muhammad bin Qasim was advancing in Sindh and raja Dahir was reluctant to come against him, so he became convinced that the Arabs would surely overwhelm Sindh. So a large number of them came to Muhammad bin Qasim and began to obey him. Historians write that a section of raja Dahir's subjects was not happy with this.

Because the king had snatched the government from the followers of Buddhism and was harsh on them. That is why the Buddhists supported Muhammad bin Qasim against the raja in areas like neron kot. Many Hindus were also angry with raja dahar because he went against Hindu traditions and married his sister the marriage took place because the superstitious king was told by an astrologer that his sister would not go out of the fort of rood and that his sister's relationship would seek a king, who will then become the king of India and this girl will be his wife.

The sodomist king formally married his sister himself. The people disliked the raja's move. The third problem was that raja dahar did not treat the lower caste Hindus well. Especially with the jats, the raja treated them like animals. He even ordered that whenever the jats left the house, they should keep a dog with them so that they could be recognized from afar.

Muhammad bin Qasim soon took control of large parts of Sindh. but he had not yet had an open war with raja dahar. Raja dahar with his army was stationed at the fort of rawar on the east bank of the river Indus. Which was located near present-day shahdadpur or brahmanabad of that period. Muhammad bin Qasim's army was stationed at neron kot, Hyderabad on the west bank of the Indus river.

Later, Muhammad bin Qasim also conquered brahmanabad and the fort of aror, the capital of raja dahar. Thus Sindh joined the Umayyad empire. Everywhere in Sindh, Muhammad bin Qasim was hailed as a conqueror wherever he went, people would come out to greet him with garlands of flowers and playing drums. Muhammad ibn Qasim stayed in Sindh for seven hundred and fifteen years, that is, for about three and a half years. During this time he also made a major attack on Multan.

The multanis put up a lot of resistance against the Arabs but the Arabs shut off the water of Multan city. Shortly afterward, the city was conquered. Multan proved to be the last frontier of Muhammad bin Qasim's conquests. After that, he could not win anymore. Because some great changes had taken place in the Umayyad caliphate.

One is that hajjaj ibn Yusuf, the patron saint of muhammad ibn qasim, died in 714. Within a year of this incident, the Umayyad caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, who was a sympathizer of the pilgrims and his family, also died. After waleed's death, his brother Suleiman became caliph. Solomon did not like many of the generals and governors of his brother waleed's time but was hostile to them.

And he wanted to punish them severely among the governors with whom he was hostile was hajjaj bin, Yusuf. When Sulayman became the caliph, the pilgrims were dead, but Sulayman took revenge on his relative Muhammad bin Qasim. After becoming the caliph, Sulayman appointed Yazid ibn Abi kabsha as the governor of Sindh. Yazid reached Sindh and arrested Muhammad bin Qasim. Dressed Qasim in sackcloth like criminals, handcuffed and handcuffed sent to Iraq's new governor.

Qasim was imprisoned in wasit prisons in Iraq. Here in prison, he has given the worst torture the soul of Muhammad bin Qasim flew away in 715 after enduring persecution. It is said that Muhammad bin Qasim recited a poem at the time of his arrest which meant something like this in Urdu that the people have lost me, and look at the young man who has lost me. The young man who comes to work in times of trouble and the young man who is the best at defending borders.

There is a well-known misconception about Muhammad bin Qasim that raja Dahar's two daughters had complained to caliph Waleed that Muhammad bin Qasim had robbed them of their honor.

So, on the orders of Waleed, Muhammad ibn Qasim wrapped himself in a bull's skin and locked himself in a box, and suffocated there. But this tradition is wrong because Muhammad ibn Qasim died not in the time of Waleed but in the time of Sulayman. There are still monuments of Muhammad bin Qasim in Sindh. Aror, the old capital of Sindh, has now turned into a small settlement. Muhammad bin Qasim public school is also established here. A few pillars of a mosque are still standing outside the population and it is said that it was built by Muhammad bin Qasim.