How to attempt History of Pakistan and India's Questions

[Saba Arif]

How to attempt History of Pakistan and India's Questions
For example:

"Conquest of Sind produced everlasting results not only in Sindh but also in all over the South Asia" discuss

[aishalam]

Originally Posted by Saba Arif

How to attempt History of Pakistan and India's Questions
For example:

"Conquest of Sindh produced everlasting results not only in Sindh but also in all over the South Asia" discuss

History of Pakistan and India has very tricky questions, I will admit. I found them hard to handle not because they were confusing, but simply because how in the world is one supposed to write something worth 20 marks on this? I came up with a simple strategy which helped in my 2019 attempt; give extensive backgrounds and pack in as many dates as you possibly can. This is a history paper-they want you to show that you not only are aware of the individual events but also of their contexts and relative importance to happenings preceding and succeeding them.

Now as an example let me tackle the question you have quoted(note: I'm just writing lose points. while attempting I'd elaborate each one considerably);

Introduction:
Arab-Indian trade relations from ancient times. After the Arabs became Muslims, they brought Islam with them. But not until the conquest of Sindh in 712AD that Muslim influence in the sub-continent became widespread and considerable.

Raja Dahir and the Conquest of Sindh:

• During reign of Umayyad Caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, Hajjaj Bin Yousaf was governor of eastern provinces.
• Raja Dahir was ruler of Sindh. He was cruel and supported pirates that raided ships passing Daibul.
• Muslim traders died in Ceylon (modern SriLanka) and the ruler sent their wives and children back along with gifts for Hajjaj. This small caravan of ships was looted by pirates and everyone taken as prisoner.
• Hajjaj was furious, demanded Dahir do something. Raja Dahir refused and in some accounts aided and abetted the pirates.
• Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh. First few expeditions failed then he decided to send his own nephew and son-in-law, Muhammad bin Qasim along with 6000 men in 712 AD
• Qasim captured Daibul--Nirun(near hyderabad)--Raor(where dahir made his last stand). Qasim had conquered many areas up to multan, when he was called back by the new caliph Suleman bin Abdul Malik.

The Rule of Muhammad bin Qasim.

• Qasim was a good ruler and wisely let the local people live their lives as they wished. He levied tax of 12 dirhams on all citizens.
• He introduced Islam to Sindh but did not impose it forcefully. Did not take away any lands or privileges instead set up a office of Sadru-i-imam-al-Ajall to help interpret Islamic laws for the region.
• Sindh was officially made part of the larger muslim empire and was an organised state. The muslims of the region were given special citizenship of the caliphate state and the non-muslims were given rights of the protected class (Dhimmis).
• Sindh became center of Islamic learning. Many religious scholars, writers, poets emerged. Books in Sanskrit were translated into Arabic.
• At the end of 715, Suleman bin Abdul Malik became new caliph and he did not like Hajjaj. Soon Hajjaj died, Muhammad Bin Qasim was summoned back, imprisoned and died there.

Impact of Muslim rule on the sub-continent
(note: since this is the main topic I would add as much as I possibly could to each sub-group)

• Social Influence (caste system, democracy, role of women)
• Religious Influence (Islam helped Hinduism evolve, Shankarachariya (Organizer of modern Hinduism) greatly influenced by Islam, Baba Guru Nanik (founder of sikhism) was educated by both Hindu Pandits and Muslim Ulama, Chaitanya of Bengal was influenced by Islamic teaching, Ramananda (leader of Bhagti Movement) redesigned the Hindu caste system after discussions with muslim scholars.
• Political and Administrative influence
• Cultural influence (poetry, art, architecture, literature)
• Philosophical influence
• Lingual influence
• Economic and financial administrative influence
• Influence on trade and relations with other empires
• Influence on the South Asian Identity

Conclusion
Few people could have predicted at the time how important and wide-reaching the impacts of this single event would be. The Conquest of Sindh in 712 AD proved to be the catalyst for great change in the region...



This is just a rough outline of how I would have attempted this question. Gave considerable background but kept referring to the topic at hand. This is an argumentative question where you need to back up your opinion so naturally there is no right or wrong way to go about it-the important part is that you are able to back up your actual impact points with solid arguments and examples. I genuinely hope this helped!

[Obaidd]

It is also important to note that historians are divided over this particular issue. This is because the actual establishment of Muslim rule over all of India was done by the successors of Ghouri who were a different people (Turkic not Arab), from a different side (through land not sea) and in a different era (1206 not 712 AD). Thus MBQ’s invasion of Sindh can not be equated to Muslim rule in India although it remains a very important point in Muslim history of India.

So this is a dimension that if added to the answer above can make it more complete.

Also note that this is a repeated question in IndoPak so it would be beneficial if you could also make note of one or two historians’ views on this topic.

History of Pakistan and India requires critical analysis and and the ability to weigh different perspectives on any issue. I recommend reading some suggested readings as well because if you see the exams in the last two years they are not straightforward and require a deep understanding of history.

[aishalam]

Originally Posted by Obaidd

It is also important to note that historians are divided over this particular issue. This is because the actual establishment of Muslim rule over all of India was done by the successors of Ghouri who were a different people (Turkic not Arab), from a different side (through land not sea) and in a different era (1206 not 712 AD). Thus MBQ’s invasion of Sindh can not be equated to Muslim rule in India although it remains a very important point in Muslim history of India.

So this is a dimension that if added to the answer above can make it more complete.

Also note that this is a repeated question in IndoPak so it would be beneficial if you could also make note of one or two historians’ views on this topic.

History of Pakistan and India requires critical analysis and and the ability to weigh different perspectives on any issue. I recommend reading some suggested readings as well because if you see the exams in the last two years they are not straightforward and require a deep understanding of history.

A very good point you have made! In some articles I have read there is a curious lack of any mentions of the Ghurid rule and the Dehli Sultanate. Somehow the narrative jumps from 712 conquest by MBQ, puts in Mehmood of Ghazni in passing and then directly gets to 1526 and Babur with nearly a century of history all but missing!!! I found this very odd. I mean any Pakistan history books we were taught in school never even mentioned the dehli sultanate at all. We did get a few passing refrences to Ghazni and Ghuri but never anything substantial. Why do you think they are left out of our narratives?

In any case I fully agree that adding that dimension to the topic will give good counternarrative. Also some would argue that neither the Ghaznis nor the Ghurids ever really ruled south asia since their seat of power was firmly in regions of afghanistan with extensions east. The dehli sultanate was definitely based in South Asia though and there is about 320 years of dynasties to unpack there (1206-1526). Other still would argue that the Mughals were the real reason Islam had a foothold in his region (another favourite question in the past papers). So I guess it just depends on which narrative you favour and how well you can back up your stance.

[Saba Arif]

If we attempt this QUESTION in the paper, quotations and reference are mandatory to prove a stance? Or we can just write without references or quotations? For example I have read history and I don't remember the historians or author name. Can we just write what we read?
In your attempt of the above question you did not quoted references of the authors or historians. What is the best way to attempt a question? I have got some ideas from your attempt by the way.

[aishalam]

Originally Posted by Saba Arif

If we attempt this QUESTION in the paper, quotations and reference are mandatory to prove a stance? Or we can just write without references or quotations? For example I have read history and I don't remember the historians or author name. Can we just write what we read?
In your attempt of the above question you did not quoted references of the authors or historians. What is the best way to attempt a question? I have got some ideas from your attempt by the way.

If you do add historians' names and refrences of books it is definitely impressive. Some questions tend to repeat in one form or another so if you could remember a handful of refrences which you could fit into them, then i think that's more than enough. This is a history subject-narratives and context are very important. Also bear in mind that if you are not sure about the exact date-don't wing it. Write safer terms like "in the beginning of the 20th century" or "a few decades after this or that". Writing an incorrect year is understandably one of the worst things one can do while attempting any history paper.

This was a very rough attempt I've done above but I'll admit that remembering exact quotations from books is definitely a weak point of mine so I rarely if ever try to reproduce exact passages. I may paraphrase but that too I do with caution since one doesn't want to attribute an idea/narrative to a writer which doesn't belong to them. It's a fine line and at the end of it comes down to personaly prefrence. If you do it, great it might fetch you extra marks. If you don't-you can still frame a rather strong and scoring answer without it if you are smart enough.

[Saba Arif]

Originally Posted by aishalam

History of Pakistan and India has very tricky questions, I will admit. I found them hard to handle not because they were confusing, but simply because how in the world is one supposed to write something worth 20 marks on this? I came up with a simple strategy which helped in my 2019 attempt; give extensive backgrounds and pack in as many dates as you possibly can. This is a history paper-they want you to show that you not only are aware of the individual events but also of their contexts and relative importance to happenings preceding and succeeding them.

Now as an example let me tackle the question you have quoted(note: I'm just writing lose points. while attempting I'd elaborate each one considerably);

Introduction:
Arab-Indian trade relations from ancient times. After the Arabs became Muslims, they brought Islam with them. But not until the conquest of Sindh in 712AD that Muslim influence in the sub-continent became widespread and considerable.

Raja Dahir and the Conquest of Sindh:

• During reign of Umayyad Caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, Hajjaj Bin Yousaf was governor of eastern provinces.
• Raja Dahir was ruler of Sindh. He was cruel and supported pirates that raided ships passing Daibul.
• Muslim traders died in Ceylon (modern SriLanka) and the ruler sent their wives and children back along with gifts for Hajjaj. This small caravan of ships was looted by pirates and everyone taken as prisoner.
• Hajjaj was furious, demanded Dahir do something. Raja Dahir refused and in some accounts aided and abetted the pirates.
• Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh. First few expeditions failed then he decided to send his own nephew and son-in-law, Muhammad bin Qasim along with 6000 men in 712 AD
• Qasim captured Daibul--Nirun(near hyderabad)--Raor(where dahir made his last stand). Qasim had conquered many areas up to multan, when he was called back by the new caliph Suleman bin Abdul Malik.

The Rule of Muhammad bin Qasim.

• Qasim was a good ruler and wisely let the local people live their lives as they wished. He levied tax of 12 dirhams on all citizens.
• He introduced Islam to Sindh but did not impose it forcefully. Did not take away any lands or privileges instead set up a office of Sadru-i-imam-al-Ajall to help interpret Islamic laws for the region.
• Sindh was officially made part of the larger muslim empire and was an organised state. The muslims of the region were given special citizenship of the caliphate state and the non-muslims were given rights of the protected class (Dhimmis).
• Sindh became center of Islamic learning. Many religious scholars, writers, poets emerged. Books in Sanskrit were translated into Arabic.
• At the end of 715, Suleman bin Abdul Malik became new caliph and he did not like Hajjaj. Soon Hajjaj died, Muhammad Bin Qasim was summoned back, imprisoned and died there.

Impact of Muslim rule on the sub-continent
(note: since this is the main topic I would add as much as I possibly could to each sub-group)

• Social Influence (caste system, democracy, role of women)
• Religious Influence (Islam helped Hinduism evolve, Shankarachariya (Organizer of modern Hinduism) greatly influenced by Islam, Baba Guru Nanik (founder of sikhism) was educated by both Hindu Pandits and Muslim Ulama, Chaitanya of Bengal was influenced by Islamic teaching, Ramananda (leader of Bhagti Movement) redesigned the Hindu caste system after discussions with muslim scholars.
• Political and Administrative influence
• Cultural influence (poetry, art, architecture, literature)
• Philosophical influence
• Lingual influence
• Economic and financial administrative influence
• Influence on trade and relations with other empires
• Influence on the South Asian Identity

Conclusion
Few people could have predicted at the time how important and wide-reaching the impacts of this single event would be. The Conquest of Sindh in 712 AD proved to be the catalyst for great change in the region...



This is just a rough outline of how I would have attempted this question. Gave considerable background but kept referring to the topic at hand. This is an argumentative question where you need to back up your opinion so naturally there is no right or wrong way to go about it-the important part is that you are able to back up your actual impact points with solid arguments and examples. I genuinely hope this helped!

Great attempt. But I think we need to add more elements to answer to fetch good marks.

Introduction:
Arab-Indian trade relations from ancient times. After the Arabs became Muslims, they brought Islam with them. But not until the conquest of Sindh in 712AD that Muslim influence in the sub-continent became widespread and considerable.
Arab was the great warriors of their earlier time. Jihad and war was the norm of the culture. It was the period of expansion of Islamic civilization over the world. Disturbance in the Arabian sea by the plunders of Sindh to loot the trade-ships, plundering of orphans and widows of Arab soldiers who died in Ceylon, refugee to rebellions of Umayyad Caliphate in Sind by rulers of Sind and refusing to free the captured ship and widow women and orphans paved the way to Arab's army to invade Sind. Conquest of Sind revealed the war in-capabilities of the ruler of South Asia and gave a golden chance to invade the region. Muslim ruler went through successful invasions in the sub-continent and they directly established their rule for almost 10 centuries.

Raja Dahir and the Conquest of Sindh:
During reign of Umayyad Caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, Hajjaj Bin Yousaf was governor of eastern provinces.
Raja Dahir was ruler of Sindh. He was cruel and supported pirates that raided ships passing Daibul.
Muslim traders died in Ceylon (modern SriLanka) and the ruler sent their wives and children back along with gifts for Hajjaj. This small caravan of ships was looted by pirates and everyone taken as prisoner.
Hajjaj was furious, demanded Dahir do something. Raja Dahir refused and in some accounts aided and abetted the pirates.
Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh. First few expeditions failed then he decided to send his own nephew and son-in-law, Muhammad bin Qasim along with 6000 men in 712 AD
Qasim captured Daibul--Nirun(near hyderabad)--Raor(where dahir made his last stand). Qasim had conquered many areas up to multan, when he was called back by the new caliph Suleman bin Abdul Malik.

Invasion of Mehmood of Ghanzni:
-From 1000 AD to 1030 AD
-Sindh, Punjab and different part of India.
- Different school of thoughts about Mehmood ghaznavi: Islamic intention, looting treasure, both.
- Weakened Rajputs and gave chance to other Muslim rulers to invade India.

Dehli Sultanate:
- 5 dynasties
- 1206-1526
- Islamic Turk Civilization
- First Muslim women ruler in Sub-continent- Razia Sultan

Mughal Rule:
- 1526-1857
- 6 powerful Mughal Rulers
- Muslim-hold in South Asia
- Hindu participation in Mughal rule


Impact of Muslim rule on the sub-continent

Social Influence (caste system, rule system, women empowerment, education )
Religious Influence (Islam helped Hinduism evolve, Shankarachariya (Organizer of modern Hinduism) greatly influenced by Islam, Baba Guru Nanik (founder of sikhism) was educated by both Hindu Pandits and Muslim Ulama, Chaitanya of Bengal was influenced by Islamic teaching, Ramananda (leader of Bhagti Movement) redesigned the Hindu caste system after discussions with muslim scholars.
Political and Administrative influence
Cultural influence (poetry, art, architecture, literature)
Philosophical influence
Lingual influence
Economic and financial administrative influence
Influence on trade and relations with other empires
Influence on the South Asian Identity

Conclusion
Few people could have predicted at the time how important and wide-reaching the impacts of this single event would be. The Conquest of Sindh in 712 AD proved to be the catalyst for great change in the region...

[aishalam]

Originally Posted by Saba Arif

Great attempt. But I think we need to add more elements to answer to fetch good marks.

Introduction:
Arab-Indian trade relations from ancient times. After the Arabs became Muslims, they brought Islam with them. But not until the conquest of Sindh in 712AD that Muslim influence in the sub-continent became widespread and considerable.
Arab was the great warriors of their earlier time. Jihad and war was the norm of the culture. It was the period of expansion of Islamic civilization over the world. Disturbance in the Arabian sea by the plunders of Sindh to loot the trade-ships, plundering of orphans and widows of Arab soldiers who died in Ceylon, refugee to rebellions of Umayyad Caliphate in Sind by rulers of Sind and refusing to free the captured ship and widow women and orphans paved the way to Arab's army to invade Sind. Conquest of Sind revealed the war in-capabilities of the ruler of South Asia and gave a golden chance to invade the region. Muslim ruler went through successful invasions in the sub-continent and they directly established their rule for almost 10 centuries.

Raja Dahir and the Conquest of Sindh:
During reign of Umayyad Caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, Hajjaj Bin Yousaf was governor of eastern provinces.
Raja Dahir was ruler of Sindh. He was cruel and supported pirates that raided ships passing Daibul.
Muslim traders died in Ceylon (modern SriLanka) and the ruler sent their wives and children back along with gifts for Hajjaj. This small caravan of ships was looted by pirates and everyone taken as prisoner.
Hajjaj was furious, demanded Dahir do something. Raja Dahir refused and in some accounts aided and abetted the pirates.
Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh. First few expeditions failed then he decided to send his own nephew and son-in-law, Muhammad bin Qasim along with 6000 men in 712 AD
Qasim captured Daibul--Nirun(near hyderabad)--Raor(where dahir made his last stand). Qasim had conquered many areas up to multan, when he was called back by the new caliph Suleman bin Abdul Malik.

Invasion of Mehmood of Ghanzni:
-From 1000 AD to 1030 AD
-Sindh, Punjab and different part of India.
- Different school of thoughts about Mehmood ghaznavi: Islamic intention, looting treasure, both.
- Weakened Rajputs and gave chance to other Muslim rulers to invade India.

Dehli Sultanate:
- 5 dynasties
- 1206-1526
- Islamic Turk Civilization
- First Muslim women ruler in Sub-continent- Razia Sultan

Mughal Rule:
- 1526-1857
- 6 powerful Mughal Rulers
- Muslim-hold in South Asia
- Hindu participation in Mughal rule


Impact of Muslim rule on the sub-continent

Social Influence (caste system, rule system, women empowerment, education )
Religious Influence (Islam helped Hinduism evolve, Shankarachariya (Organizer of modern Hinduism) greatly influenced by Islam, Baba Guru Nanik (founder of sikhism) was educated by both Hindu Pandits and Muslim Ulama, Chaitanya of Bengal was influenced by Islamic teaching, Ramananda (leader of Bhagti Movement) redesigned the Hindu caste system after discussions with muslim scholars.
Political and Administrative influence
Cultural influence (poetry, art, architecture, literature)
Philosophical influence
Lingual influence
Economic and financial administrative influence
Influence on trade and relations with other empires
Influence on the South Asian Identity

Conclusion
Few people could have predicted at the time how important and wide-reaching the impacts of this single event would be. The Conquest of Sindh in 712 AD proved to be the catalyst for great change in the region...

Good additions but instead of mentioning isolated events from those subsequent conquests mention why they were important. Mention how far into the sub continent their rule reached and what were their contribution to the lasting legacy of the muslim empire. None of the Muslim empires ever ruled the entirety of the sub continent at any one point. Those that did had a large unruly mass of land with people who had little to nothing in common with each other to rule-leading to administrative headaches.

Give about 70% of the overall answer to the conquest of sindh, MBQs rule and administrative reforms, and finally the impacts portion (since these most directly refer back to the answer). In fact i just had an idea why not include the subsequent rulers as a sub topic in the impacts portion as impact on the geo-political standings or gateway to other Muslim rules?