Battle of Rewar - Medieval India History Notes
The Battle of Rewar was fought between Muhammad-bin-Qasim and Dahir, the ruler of Sind. Dahir, the Punjab's Brahmin ruler, was defeated in battle. Sind and Multan were taken. Muhammad-bin-Qasim referred to Multan as "The City of Gold." In this article, we will discuss the Battle of Rewar which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
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Muhammad-bin-Qasim and Raja Dahir
About Raja Dahir
- The Indus River Valley has produced flourishing civilizations and is rich in culture and natural treasures.
- The Sindh region is located near the Indus River and the Thar Desert. The Pushkaran Brahmin Dynasty of Sindh ruled this region for a long time, and Raja Dahir was a descendant of them.
- Raja Dahir Sen was the son of Chach of Aror and was born in 663 AD. He was in charge of parts of Afghanistan, Balochistan, Pakistan, and Iran.
- He is said to have been the last Hindu ruler of Sindh before his territory was conquered by Mohammad Bin Qasim, and he was killed in a battle near Nawabshah.
- Following his death, his wife and the rest of the female household committed Jauhar in order to escape the enemy. Surya Devi and Preamala Devi, however, fell into the hands of the conquerors and were buried alive in a wall.
| Other Relevant Links | |
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| Administrative System | Muhammad-bin-Qasim |
| End of Muhammad-bin-Qasim | Effects of Arab Conquest |
Battle of Rewar - Background
- Muhammad bin Qasim crossed the river after nearly fifty days of camped on the western bank of the Indus, preparing for the battle with Raja Dahir.
- He persuaded the perilous Mokah to arrange for the boats to form a makeshift bridge by connecting all the boats along the river's western bank.
- The makeshift bridge of boats, built to fit the width of the river, was eventually floated down the river, one end tethered to the western bank and the other slowly moving until it touched the eastern bank.
- Once this end was tied to the eastern bank, the Arab army was able to cross the Indus near the fortress of Bet.
- Finally, Raja Dahir's army met Muhammad bin Qasim's army at Raor or Rawar, and "a dreadful conflict ensued, such as had never been heard of."
The Battle
- Dahir attempted to prevent Qasim from crossing the Indus River by relocating his forces to the river's eastern bank.
- However, Qasim eventually crossed the river and defeated his forces at Jitor, led by Jaisiah (Dahir's son).
- In 711, Qasim fought and killed Dahir at Raor (near modern Nawabshah).
- Dahir's head was severed from his body and sent to Hajjaj bin Yousuf after he was killed in the Battle of Aror on the banks of the Indus.
Conclusion
After Dahir was killed in the Battle of Aror on the banks of the Indus, his head was severed from his body and delivered to Hajjaj bin Yousuf. In the tradition established by Rajput heroines, his queens burned themselves to death. Bai, Dahar's unfortunate sister, was one of them. Other ladies of the royal household who remained alive were captured by the Arab conquerors, along with other Sindh women, and sold into slavery. Thus ended the dynasty that arose from Queen Suhandi's and Chach the Brahmin's ambitions.
FAQs
Question: What was the Battle of Rewar?
Answer: The Battle of Rewar was a significant confrontation between Muhammad bin Qasim, representing the Umayyad Caliphate, and Raja Dahir, the last Hindu ruler of Sindh. This battle marked the beginning of Arab influence in the Indian subcontinent.
Question: Who was Raja Dahir?
Answer: Raja Dahir was the last Hindu ruler of Sindh, ruling in the 8th century. He resisted the Arab invasion led by Muhammad bin Qasim in the Battle of Rewar, which ultimately led to his defeat and the Arab control of Sindh.
Question: What was the impact of the Battle of Rewar?
Answer: The Battle of Rewar resulted in the Arab conquest of Sindh, establishing Muslim rule in the region and influencing Indian culture, administration, and trade. It marked the start of significant cultural exchanges between the Arab world and the Indian subcontinent.
Question: How did the Umayyad Caliphate benefit from the Battle of Rewar?
Answer: The Umayyad Caliphate expanded its influence over Sindh and opened new trade routes. The conquest provided access to Indian resources and facilitated cultural exchange between Arab and Indian civilizations, enriching both.
Question: What were the primary causes of the Battle of Rewar?
Answer: The battle was driven by the Umayyad Caliphate’s expansionist aims and conflicts between traders. It was also influenced by the desire to control trade routes and to establish Islamic rule in the Indian subcontinent.
MCQs
1. Who led the Arab forces in the Battle of Rewar?
A) Al-Hajjaj
B) Muhammad bin Qasim
C) Sultan Mahmud
D) Ahmad Shah Abdali
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Muhammad bin Qasim led the Arab forces in the Battle of Rewar, marking the start of Muslim influence in Sindh.
2. The Battle of Rewar marked the beginning of Arab influence in:
A) Punjab
B) Kashmir
C) Sindh
D) Gujarat
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Arab forces, under Muhammad bin Qasim, conquered Sindh, establishing their influence and initiating cultural exchanges with India.
3. Who was the ruler of Sindh during the Battle of Rewar?
A) Raja Dahir
B) Rana Sanga
C) Maharaja Surajmal
D) Alauddin Khilji
Answer: (A) See the Explanation
Explanation: Raja Dahir was the last Hindu ruler of Sindh and was defeated by Muhammad bin Qasim in the Battle of Rewar.
4. What year did the Battle of Rewar take place?
A) 712 AD
B) 1025 AD
C) 1192 AD
D) 1526 AD
Answer: (A) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Battle of Rewar occurred in 712 AD, resulting in Arab control over Sindh.
5. Which caliphate did Muhammad bin Qasim represent in the Battle of Rewar?
A) Abbasid
B) Umayyad
C) Ottoman
D) Mughal
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Muhammad bin Qasim represented the Umayyad Caliphate, which aimed to expand its influence into the Indian subcontinent through the Battle of Rewar.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Examine the causes and consequences of the Battle of Rewar on Indian history.
Answer: The Battle of Rewar was primarily driven by the Umayyad Caliphate’s desire to expand its territory and control over trade routes. With Muhammad bin Qasim’s victory over Raja Dahir, the battle facilitated the spread of Islam in Sindh, established Arab cultural influence, and impacted regional politics. The conquest marked the beginning of sustained interaction between Indian and Arab civilizations, contributing to cultural and trade exchanges and altering the historical landscape of Sindh and broader India.
Q2: Discuss the role of Raja Dahir in resisting foreign invasions in India. How did his defeat impact the region?
Answer: Raja Dahir’s resistance to Muhammad bin Qasim’s forces symbolizes early Indian resistance to foreign invasions. Despite his strategic efforts, Dahir was defeated, resulting in the loss of Sindh’s independence. This victory for the Umayyad Caliphate led to Arab political and cultural influence in Sindh, marking a shift in the region’s religious and administrative dynamics. The defeat also facilitated the establishment of trade routes that linked the Indian subcontinent with the Arab world, influencing local culture and economy.
Q3: Assess the cultural and economic exchanges that emerged between the Indian subcontinent and the Arab world post-Battle of Rewar.
Answer: The Arab conquest of Sindh initiated cultural exchanges that brought Persian and Arabic influences into Indian art, language, and governance. Economically, it opened new trade routes for the exchange of goods like textiles, spices, and precious metals between India and the Middle East. These interactions enriched both civilizations, spreading scientific, literary, and architectural knowledge across regions. The Arab influence laid a foundation for subsequent cultural assimilation, visible in the socio-cultural fabric of Sindh and parts of northern India.
Previous Year Questions on Battle of Rewar
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:
Question: The Battle of Rewar marked the beginning of Arab influence in which region?
A) Gujarat
B) Punjab
C) Sindh
D) Rajasthan
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The battle led by Muhammad bin Qasim resulted in the Arab conquest of Sindh, initiating Arab influence in the region.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1):
Question: "Analyze the impact of Arab conquests on the socio-political structure of the Indian subcontinent, particularly after the Battle of Rewar."
Answer: The Arab conquest following the Battle of Rewar introduced Islamic governance structures and cultural elements to Sindh. This transformed the region's socio-political landscape, establishing trade links, fostering scientific exchanges, and integrating Islamic customs. It laid the foundation for later Islamic empires in India, influencing governance, administration, and cultural practices in northern regions.
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