INDO PAK HISTORY
Arab Invasion of Sindh:
Key Facts:
1. Hajjaj Bin Yousaf the Viceroy of Eastern provinces (an imperialist to the core)
2. Waleed Bin Abdul Malik the Caliph at Damescus.
Causes of Arab Invasion:
Key Facts:
1. The Muslims conquests of the Persia including the provinces of Kirman and Makran brought about the Arabs face to face with then rulers of Sindh who had made common cause with the ruler of Makran against the Muslims.
2. Seaborne trade of the Arabs in the Indian ocean was jeopardized by the pirates.
3. A Carvan of 8 Vessels containing the families of the passed away merchants and traders settled at Cyleon was pirated near the post of Sindh. Hajjaj Bin Yousaf asked for the compensation and punishment of the pirates from Raja Dahir who gave evasive reply, and thus enraged Hajjaj Bin Yousaf.
Expedition under Muhammad Bin Qasim
Key Facts:
1. Muhammad Bin Qasim sent with an expedition containing:
a. 6000 picked Syrian and Iraqi soldiers.
b. 6000 camel crop.
c. A baggage train of 3000 camels
d. A Manjniq called Arus worked out by 500 men.
Conquest of Daibul (712)
Key Facts:
1. Muhammad Bin Qasim appeared (proceeding through Makran) before Daibul in 712.
2. There was a large Temple on the top of which flew a red flag.
3. Manjniq aimed at the flag it was brought down, the defenders lost hope and Daibul was conquered.
Conquest of Nirun:
Key Facts:
1. Muhammad Bin Qasim then turned to Nirun the Budhist Monk surrendered.
Conquest of Raor:
Key Facts:
1. A fierce battle ensued in the course of which Raja Dahir was over powered and killed.
Conquest of Brahmanabad and Alor:
Conquest of Multan:
Key Facts:
1. Multan offered stiff resistance for two months after which Hindus were over powered and defeated.
2. The people of Multan, Merchants, traders and artisans together with Jats and Meds who had suffered at the hand of native rulers waited upon Muhammad Bin Qasim to pay him homage.
Muhammad Bin Qasim Treatment of Locals:
Key Facts:
1. He guaranteed to the conquered people the security of life, property and freedom of worship. (the temples shall be inviolate like the churches of Christians, the synods of the jews and the altars of the magians).
2. The people of Sindh were given the status of Zimmis.
3. Brahmans and Budhists were given important administrative posts specially in the revenue department (be honest in determining the shares of people and government and if share of the state is to be taken out do it with equity and fix the revenue according to people’s ability to pay).
Effect of conquest of Sindh:
Key Facts:
1. Islam gained its first foothold.
2. The Arabs soldiers settled down in this country and some of them married into local families.
3. Military cantonments were founded which later grow into flourishing cities and became centers of learning and culture.
4. The conquest opened the way for new cultural contacts between the Hindus and Muslims.
i. Decimal Numerals.
ii. Chess
iii. Books on astronomy such as Siddhanta were translated in Arabic
iv. The book of fables called Kalilah-wa-dimnah had an Indian origin.
5. Intensification of trade relationship between Arab and Sindh.
6. (The Arab invasion was a failure. It attacked from the wrong quarter, entered on the least productive province and was too feebly supported to spread further.) Stanley Lane-Poole
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