Invasion of Sind

Invasion of Sind

The battle of Sind is the landmark of rise of Islam in Indian.   Sind was a state, now a days is a part of Pakistan and old Indus Valley civilization.  Mohammed-bin-Qasim was the first Muslim invader who conquer the territories of India. This battle was fought in 711-712 AD and the place of battle was Sind and Punjab regions.  The conquest of Sind was successful after many attempts.  He spread the Islamic religion in India. At that time the age of Mohammed-bin-Qasim was only 17 years when conquered the Sind. Sind is also known by its nick name Bab-e Islam.

Arab Empire was founded in Sind in 712AD.   Mohammed-bin-Qasim took over Sind in his third attempt. The Islamic rulers conquered Persia and Hertal and composed a great Islamic Kingdom. Now their eyes were on India because at that time commercial trade relations were between India and Arabia.  The Arabs were very much familiar with the Indian sea coast.  Further vast wealth of India attracted Arabs to invade India territories and also to spread Islam in India.  Important reason of India’s invasion at time was that some Sindi  pirates seized some Arab Ships near Debal Coast.  One more reason was that the Kind of Ceylon has sent gifts to Khalifa of Baghdad and to the Governor of Iraq on these ships. Hajaj, the Governor asked for compensation from King Dahir.  As he had no control over the pirates, he refused to give any compensation. Hajaj started the first army expedition under Ubaidullah against the King Dahir but failed.  Second time attempt was made under Budail but again unsuccessful.  The Third attempt was made under Muhammad-bin-Qasim .  This was a successful attempt to win the Sind.  By killing Dahir, he occupied Debal.  After the death of Dahir, his wife Queen Rani Bai fought against Arabs.  Mohammad-bin-Qasim also defeated her.  Queen Rani Bai performed Johor to save her pride.  Mohammad also captured Nirun, Rewar, Brahmanbad, Alor, Multan and Sind.  Khalifa recalled back Mohammad-bin-Qasim and put him to death. The strength of Dahir’s Military was about fifty fhousand. As Qasim crossed the Indus River, Dahir went to Bahmanabad to Rewar to fight with Qasim.  In the battle the elephant of Dahir was killed with an arrow which was attached with buring cotton.  The afraid elephant fled towards the river which was already covered by the enemy soliders killed the King Dahir.  Mohammad-bin-Qasim could conquer some territories but after his death the Arabs failed to expand the Islam Dynasty beyond Multan and Sind. Arabs couldn’t conquer the Rajputs, ruling in North and East India.  Qasim established a good administrative system in the places he conquered. No other Arab King  could conquer other territories of India. Qasim respected all other religions but converted poor Hindus to Muslim.  It revealed from the historians that many rulers did not fought with the Arabs as a result of this Mohammad Ghazni and Mohammad Ghori attacked India easily.