Muhammad bin Qasim was an Arab general. He made a big impact on the early Islamic conquests in India. His taking of Sindh between 711-712 CE was the first Arab attack in India. Here are some key points about Muhammad bin Qasim and his mission:
I . .
- In 643 CE, the Arab general Abdullah led the Makran campaign.
- This opened the doors of Sindh province to Arab influence.
- In 663 CE, the Arabs tried invading the Indus River region through the Bolan Pass route.
- The Umayyad ruler of Iraq sent Hajjaj again in 708 CE for an expedition to the Indus River region.
- The king of Sri Lanka had sent a ship carrying gifts to Hajjaj. However, when pirates near the port of Debal in Sindh plundered the ship, Hajjaj demanded compensation from King Dahir of Sindh.
- When Dahir refused to pay, Hajjaj sent a raid against him. In 712 CE, Hajjaj sent Muhammad bin Qasim against King Dahir.
- A local influential feudal lord named Moka helped Muhammad bin Qasim. In 712 CE, King Dahir of Sindh was killed by Muhammad bin Qasim in the Battle of Rawar.
- By conquering the Indus River region, Muhammad bin Qasim started the Muslim invasion of India.
- In 713 CE he conquered Multan city.
- Muhammad bin Qasim is often remembered as a hero in Pakistan.
- His conquest of Sindh is also viewed as a key event in the spread of Islam in South Asia.
Later Muhammad-bin-Qasim:
When Hajjaj passed away in 714 AD, Muhammad-bin-Qasim left his homeland. Then Junaid became the leader of Sindh. He defeated the son of Dahir named Jaisingh and captured all of Sindh. However, the Arabs were unable to venture deep into the inner regions of India.
Cultural Influence in India:
At that stage several Hindu scholars, musicians, masons, and painters were invited to Arabia from India. Under the patronage of Caliph Mansur, 2 Sanskrit books, Brahmasiddhanta and Dhikakhandaka, written by Brahmagupta were translated into Arabic. Arab astronomer ‘Abu Masar’ studied astronomy for 10 years in Varanasi.
Summary
- At only seventeen years old, he conquered Sindh.
- In 711 CE, he guided an army into Sindh, defeating King Dahir’s forces.
- This marked the beginning of Muslim leadership in the Indian subcontinent. It paved the path for future Muslim expeditions of India.
- It set an example for the way non-Muslims were dealt with under Muslim rule (Dhimmi status).
- Islamic rule in Sindh was founded and the Hanafi school of Sharia law was implemented.