Complete Indo-Pak History

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INDO-PAK HISTORY
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INTRODUCTION:
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The land of Indo-Pakistan
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Indo-Pakistan sub-continent is a vast country. It is almost equal in extent to the whole of Europe excluding

Russia and is twenty times as big as Great Britain. The population of this country is nearly 1/5th of the

whole world. It is separated on the north from the rest of Asia by the Himaliyas and is bounded, on the other

sides by the seas.It is a land of many attractions. It has several mighty rivers, such as the Indus, the Ganges

and the Brahmaputra, its many mountains,its variety of landscape and soil, and a number of useful minerals

and ores, its production of variety of food and many crops attracted foreigners from many lands. In August

1947, this country was divided into two independent states known as India and Pakistan.

The indo-Pakistan sub-continent is a land of different religions. Diversity of religion is the characteristic of

this country. All the world religions, like Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc are found here.

It has been said by a group of scholars that inspite of physical varieties, racial distinctions, and diversity of

religion, language manners and customs, Indo-Pakistan has a fundamental unity of its own. But their

arguments are not tenable in the face of facts. It is true that this country has a sort of geographical

contiguity, but it has no unity.

It was the Muslims and lately the British who created an appearance of unity by giving the major part of the

subcontinent a uniform administration and some time a single government, but it was temporary. The ideal

of cultural unity is also nothing but a myth. Even if we leave aside the Muslims and other races, the Hindus

are divided themselves into thousands of mutually exclusive and often hostile sections by the existance of

caste system and different other social traditions. This fundamental disunity was ultimately responsible for

the creation of two states Pakistan and India.




SOURCES OF INCIENT INDO-PAKISTAN HISTORY
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Of the ancient period of indo pakistan there is no chronological history. The Arians and the Hindus had the

genius to write books on different subjects, namely religion, philosophy etc, but there was a lack of

historical texts among them. In this connection a famous historian Al-Beruni says " The hindus do not pay

much attention to the historical order of things, they are very careless in relating the chronological

succession of their kings, and when they are pressed for information, and at a loss, not knowing what to

say, they invariably take to tale-telling, "So the sources of ancient indo pakistan history are to be sought

elsewhere.

The sources of ancient indo pakistan history may be classified under the following heads:

1. Inscriptions

2. Coins

3. Monuments

4. Literary traditions

5. Contemporary chronicles

6. Foreign accounts.

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CONDITION OF INDO PAKISTAN ON THE
EVE OF ARAB CONQUEST OF SIND


POLITICAL CONDITION


The indo pakistan subcontinent presented a chequered picture of warring dynasties and of small kingdoms hostile to one another on the eve of Arab invasion. During the first half of the 7th century A.D when the successors of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) were rapidly subjugating the neighbouring countries, Haisha Vardhan of Qanauj was laying the foundation of great empire in north-west India. On the death of Harsha Vardhan, the last great Hindu ruler, his empire has fallen to pieces, followed by a scramble among the petty princes for supremacy in the land. Political confusion of the worst type prevailed in this part of more then 50 years. The remaining part of the country was parcelled out among many independent monarchs of varying degrees of power and prestiege. There was no central government in the country. All these states enjoyed complete independence and sovereignty. The important states may be enumerated under the heads:

(a) States in northern india

(b) States in southern india or the Deccan.



ECONOMIC CONDITIONS:


The economic condition of the people was on the whole very sound, for the country was extremely prosporous. People were well-off and free from want. Agriculture formed the main occupation of the people. The country saw the growth of industry . Bengal and Gujrat were famous for manufacture and export of cotton textile goods. But the tillers of the soil had to work hard for their bread, while the upper class people rolled in luxury and promp.




RELIGIOUS CONDITION


There were three religions, namely, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism prevalent in the country on the eve of Arab conquest. Jainism was not a popular religion and Buddhism was on the decline. Hinduism was the most important religion of the people in the land. Most of the kings were hindus and they would take measures for the patronage of the Hinduism. The priestly class of brahmans who occupied a very important position in the society exploited the masses. The Brahmanical revival and its aggressive measures created animosity among the Buddhists who in order to avoid the Hindus rulers, welcomed arab invaders of Sind.



SOCIAL CONDITION:



In the beginning of the 8th century AD the society was divided into four castes. the brahmans, the kshatriyas, vaishyas and the sudras. Each caste did not strictly adhere to its own functions. There were Brahmins who were working as warriors and the kshatriyas working as merchants. Likewise certain Vaishyas and sudras were acting as rulers. In most cases people married within their castes and inter-castes marriages were very rare. Poligamy was practiced in the society, but women were not allowed to marry a second time. Untouchability was in vogue. The practice of Sati was becoming popular among the ruling families. Most of the people were vegetarians and they abstained from taking every onions and garlic.

There were schools and colleges all over the country for the education of the people. The universities of Nalanda in Behar and Valabhi in western India were the most famous educational institutions in the country. There was a Sanskirit college at Dhar in Malwa and another at Ajmeer. Besides the Vedas and Shastras, other subjects such as science, astronomy and medicine were taught in these universities and colleges.




ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS



The king was the head of administration and he, to all intents and purposes, was a dictator. he combined all legislative, executive, judicial and millitary powers in his person. Kingship was generally hereditary, but the example of Gopal of Pala dynasty of Bengal and Nandi Varman of the pallava dynasty of Kanchi illustrates that sometimes the king was elected by the notable elements of the country.

There were ministers to help and advice the king in discharge of his kingly duties but the king was not bound to accept their advice. The number of ministers depended upon the circumstances and requirements of the situation.

The empire was divided into many provinces. The head of province was called Uparika whose chief duty was to maintain peace and order in the province, to enforce the orders of the king and to lead expeditions when ordered.

A province was divided into districts called Vaishyas. A Vaishya was administered by district officer called vaishyapati. Village was the lowest unit of administration where the administrative functions were performed by the headman and the panchayat.

The chief source of income of the land was land revenue. Tributes from vassal chiefs; duties of excise and marchandise were other sources of income.

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THE ARAB CONQUEST OF SIND



RISE OF ISLAM


The rise of islam is perhaps the most amazing event in the history of the world. Islam came as a beacon light to opressed humanity and raised the then world, especially Arabia, from the depth of degradation to a place of culture, and civilization. Within a span of 23 years Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) transformed the barbarous and impious Arabs into a civilsed and religious nation. Before his death almost the whole of Arabia came within the fold of Islam.


On the demise of Prophet, the expansion of islam was not stopped. His followers and successors inspired by the doctrine of the new religion carried the banner of islam to the different parts of the world. They soon became the masters of the vast empire comprising Arabia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Persia.


EARLY RELATION WITH INDO PAKISTAN



After the conquest of persia, the muslims turned their attention to the east. Long before the advent of islam to Arabia, the Arabs used to visit territories of the eastern coast for trade and commerce. So it was quite natural for the sons of the desert to be attracted to the rich soil of India. During the Khilafat of Umar I, the first attempt was made by the muslims to come to india, but it ended in failure. In time of Uthman the third khalifa of Islam, another expedition was sent under Abdullah ibn Amr who conquered Sistan and then advanced towards Makran ( now balochistan ). He even conquered a portion of Sind, but he, however, did not consider it worthwhile to annex the arid lands of sind.

During the Khilafat of Ali and Muaawiya, several expeditions were undertaken, non of which resulted in a permanent success. The arms of the muslims remained inactive for next few years. But with the coming of the Umayyad Khalifah, Al-waleed to power, there opened a new chapter in the history of islam. His famous general Musa ibn Nusayr subjugated the whole of North Africa while his lieutenant, Tariq, conquered spain. In the East Qutaiba carried the banner of Islam far into central Asia. It was at that time that circumstances led the muslims to conquest of sind.

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CAUSES OF INVASION OF SIND



It has been stated that Arabs had cast their eyes on the rich soil of india long before they conquered it. But in the beginning of the 8th century the indians compelled them to invade Sind.

During the Persian expeditions, the ruler of Sind had sent their legions to help the Persians against the Muslims and thereby they incurred the displea sure of the Muslims. The Umayyad khalifah, al-Walid I appointed Hajjaj bin yousaf as the governor of the eastern provinces. It was during the governorship of Hajjaj that some of the Arab rebels had crossed the border into sind and were given shelter by Dahir, the king of Sind. When Hajjaj wanted them back, Dahir refused to return the Arab refugees. The governor was an ambitious man. He wanted the expansion of his territory to India. The refusal of dahir to return the refugees was a good ground to punish the Raja and to conquer sind. But the immediate cause of this invasion was the plunder of eight ships by the pirates near Daibul, a seaport in sind. The ships were carrying the orphan daughters of the Arab marchants who had died in ceylon and many valuable presents sent by the king of Ceylon for the Khalifah and the governor.

Hajjaj sent a letter to raja Dahir, requesting him to punish the culprits and to restore the presents and the captives. But Raja dahir refused to do anything on the ground that the pirates were beyond his controls and he was powerless to punish them. This enraged hajjaj, who on recieving permission from Khalifah, sent an expedition against Daibul under the command of Ubaidullah but without success. He was soon followed by Budail who also failed to achieve success.

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EXPEDITION UNDER MUHAMMAD BIN QASIM


Hajjaj bin yousaf was deeply mortified at these successive failures and to take revenge, he fitted out a third expedition under the charge of his cousin and son-in-law, Muhammad Bin Qasim. The young general marched by way of Siraj and through Makran towards sind. On his way he was joined by the governor of Makran who gave him an additional force. Besides the Arab troops, Muhammad bin Qasim has the fortune of enlisting under his banner a good number of Jats and Meds who were displeased with the Hindus government for maltreatment towards them . The Arabs reached Daibul in 712 A.D. The town was well protected by Brahmins and Rajputs. A battle was fought between the Hindus and Muslims in which the former were defeated and a large booty fell into the hands of the latter.

After Daibul, Muhammad bin Qasim proceeded towards Nirun, near modern Hyderabad, and obtained the submission of its inhabitants. He then marched to Shewan and from Shiwan to Sisam. The inhabitants of these places submitted to him without strong resistance. But the Muslims had to face the serious opposition at Rawar where all the Hindus along with their King had posted themselves to meet the enemy. The Hindus fought gallantly, but fate was against them. Dahir was killed and his wife and son took shelter in the fortress of Rawar and defended it to the last, but when the fall of the fortress became imminent, she and her handmaids cast themselves on a funeral prayers to escape possible dishonour.


Flushed with victory, Muhammad Bin qasim advanced to Brahmanabad where people soon submitted to him. After the capture of Brahman abad he organised the administration of lower sind and placing governors in the conquered territories he set out for Alor, which was defended by a son of Dahir. Alor was soon brought under the sway of muslims. he then led his army against Multan, the last stronghold of the Hindus. on his way to Multan he captured the town of Sika. The Hindus offered battle in an open field in Multan, but they were defeated and routed by the Arabs. With the capture of Multan, the whole of the Dahir's dominion fell to the Muslims.

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CAUSES OF ARAB SUCCESS


There were several causes, which contributed to the success of Arabs in Sind. The disunity among the indians and the unpopularity of Raja Dahir greatly facilitated the Arab conquest of Sind. There was little sympathy between the ruler and the ruled. The Buddhists and the Jains in sind had grievances against Dahir and so they did not help him in times of trouble. Moreover the Jats, the Meds and certains other castes who were looked down upon and subjected to humiliation by the ruler joined with the invaders and thereby strenghthened the cause of the latter.


By the beginning of 8th century the Arab army becomes the mightest of the world. Perfect organisation, remarkable discipline and morale, advancement in technique, highly improved machinery of attack and the use of camels gave the Arab army a marked superiority over all armies of the world. The Arabs had by this time a strong naval power, while Dahir did not have a strong navy. The army of Dahir was inferior in technical skills and his commanders were inferior in generalship.

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CAUSES OF ARAB FAILURE IN SIND


Many factors were responsible for the decline of arab power in Sind. In the first place the Arabs had entered India from a wrong direction. Sind was not a rich province and its resources were very limited. It could not give the Arabs the necessary resources with which the rest of India could be conquered. So, sind could not serve as a good base for launching a successful invasion of India. Secondly in the latter period there was a lack of unity among the tribes who conquered Sind and so the muslims could not make combined efforts to push their arms to the distant land. This disunity prevented the arabs from further progress. Thirdly the province of sindh was unproductive and hence the Khalifahs found it unprofitable to occupy and maintain such a land. Fourthly there was a good number of powerful independent rajpoot kingdoms in indo pakistan. The strong resistance of Rajputs proved to be an imporatant cause of Arabs failure in Sind. Lastly, the successors of the conqueror of sind were weak and incapable.

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RISE OF GHAZNAVIDS


The progress of conquest was resumed with new zeal and energy in the 10th century by the Turks who came to indo pakistan from beyond the Afghan hills. After the fall of the Umayyad khilafat the Abbasids came to power. The first few Khalifahs of this dynasty ruled with distinction, but the latter khalifahs proved weak and tactless. By their policies they brought their town downfall. They appointed the Turks their body guards who soon grew too powerful to be controlled. The khalifahs became mere tools in their hands. As a result of their weakness and maladministration the governors of the distant provinces became independent . Spain and Egypt passed out of their control, while in Iraq, Persia and Turkistan, the growth of a number of minor dynasties paralysed the power of Khalifahs.



ALPTIGIN



Abdul Malik, the fifth prince of the house of Samanids, had a turkish slave named Alptgin who by dint of devotion and service to his master rose to the position of governor of Khurasan. Alptgin was a man of courage and character. After the demise of his master and patron, he went to Ghazni, expelled its ruler Abu Bakr lawik and laid the foundation of an independant state (962). In the 14th year of his independence, he breathed his last and was succeeded by his son Abu Ishaq. In a few years Abu Ishaq followed his father to the grave and Sabuktigin, the father of a celebrated son Sultan mahmud, ascended the throne in 977 A.D.

[SADIA SHAFIQ]

this is all what that is in book K.ALI...


and additional information u can give


u can tell abt qatiba bin muslim .musa bin nasir ,tariq bin ziyaad...that all were contemporaries of qasim n this has relevency

ABDUR REHMAN bin ishaaat...was from allbari tribes,,,u did not have accounted it..

u diid not mention abt suleman bin abdul malik ...his avenge toward gernels.....


these all are facts....

u can precisely tell abt facts as i

[imran bakht]

Originally Posted by SADIA SHAFIQ

this is all what that is in book K.ALI...


and additional information u can give


u can tell abt qatiba bin muslim .musa bin nasir ,tariq bin ziyaad...that all were contemporaries of qasim n this has relevency

ABDUR REHMAN bin ishaaat...was from allbari tribes,,,u did not have accounted it..

u diid not mention abt suleman bin abdul malik ...his avenge toward gernels.....


these all are facts....

u can precisely tell abt facts as i

i will be thankful if you help us . Please provide all those which you mentioned above, i just wrote from K.Ali and i have no other source. I hope you will help us