Muhammad-bin-Qasim - Medieval India History Notes

Muhammad-bin-Qasim (December 31, 695 – July 18, 715) was an Arab military commander in the service of the Umayyad Caliphate who led the Muslim conquest of Sindh during the Umayyad campaigns in India. His military exploits resulted in the establishment of Arab Sind and the annexation of the region from the Sindhi Brahman dynasty and its ruler, Raja Dahir, who was later decapitated and his head sent to al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf in Basra. With the capture of Aror, the then-capital of Arabia, by Arab forces, Qasim became the first Muslim to successfully capture Hindu land, ushering in Muslim rule in India. In this article, we will discuss Muhammad-bin-Qasim which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Muhammad-bin-Qasim - Background

• Muhammad bin Qasim was born in the year 695 A.D. He was a member of the Saqqafi tribe, which had its origins in Taif, Arabia.
• He was raised by his mother and quickly proved to be a valuable asset to his uncle, Yemen's governor, Muhammad Ibn Yusuf.
• His judgement, potential, and skills forced the ruler to appoint him to the state department, leaving many other officers in his wake.
• He was also a close relative of Hajjaj bin Yousuf, and as a result of Hajjaj's influence, the young Muhammad bin Qasim was appointed governor of Persia while still in his teens, and he crushed the rebellion in that region.
• In addition, there is a popular legend that he is Hajjaj bin Yousuf's son-in-law.
• He conquered the Sindh and Punjab regions along the Indus River for the Umayyad Caliphate.

Battle of Rewar

• The Battle of Rewar was fought between Muhammad-bin-Qasim and Dahir, the king of Sindh, which is now part of Pakistan.
• Dahir was the last Hindu king of the Sindh Brahmin dynasty, which was then an Indian territory. General of the Arab Kingdom's Umayyad Caliphate, Muhammad-bin-Qasim
• Dahir lost. Sind and Multan were both taken. Multan was dubbed the "City of Gold" by Muhammad-bin-Qasim.

Administrative System

• Muhammad bin Qasim's task after the conquest was to establish an administrative structure for a stable Muslim state that included a newly conquered alien land inhabited by non-Muslims.
• He pursued a conciliatory policy, asking the natives to accept Muslim rule in exchange for non-interference in their religious practises, as long as the natives paid their taxes and tribute.
• In exchange, the state protected non-Muslims from foreign attacks and enemies.
• He imposed Islamic Sharia law on the people of the region, but Hindus were allowed to rule their villages and settle disputes according to their own laws, and traditional hierarchical institutions such as village headmen (rais) and chieftains (dihqans) were preserved.
• Muhammad-bin-Qasim divided Sind and Multan into a number of Iqtas or districts, and Arab military officers established their rule in the Iqtas.
• The district subdivisions were administered by the local Hindu Officers.
• Jizya, a type of tax, was levied on non-Muslims.
• A Muslim officer known as an amil was stationed with a cavalry troop to manage each town on a hereditary basis.

Effects of Arab Conquest

• Sind's subjugation paved the way for Islam's entry into India. Because Arabs were not cruel, people's perceptions of Islam shifted.
• There were no additional taxes imposed on Hindus for believing in Hinduism, which won their hearts and they welcomed the Arabs with open arms.
• The Arabs opened the way for communication with the other Islamic regions, and thus direct trade and business with Islamic countries began (should be added or not). Sind, which was considered tribal prior to Arab invasion, became economically strong and civilised.
• The Arabs adopted a policy of tolerance, allowing Hindus to practise their religion. The Arabs adopted the rich rituals of the Brahmins and learned Astrology, Medicine, and Arthashastra. Many Sanskrit words were included in Arab dictionaries.

End of Muhammad-bin-Qasim

• The Umayyad caliphate directed Muhammad Bin Qasim to launch an attack over Sindh. He led 6,000 Syrian cavalry, and at the borders of Sindh, he was joined by an advance guard and 6,000 camel riders, as well as five catapults (Manjaniks).
• Muhammad Bin Qasim first took Debal, from which the Arab army marched along the Indus. He was met by Dahir's forces at Rohri. Dahir was killed in the battle, his forces were defeated, and Muhammad bin Qasim took control of Sind.
• Mohammad Bin Qasim arrived in Daibul in 712 AD. As a result of his efforts, he was able to capture Daibul.
• He continued his Victorious Progress in Nirun, fortress (called Sikka), Brahmanabad, Alor, Multan, and Gujrat. Following the conquest of Multan, he carried his arms to the borders of Kashmir's Kigdom, but his dismissal halted further progress.
• Muslims now ruled over all of Sindh and a portion of Punjab, all the way up to the northern borders of Kashmir.
• Following the conquest, he pursued a conciliatory policy, requesting that the natives accept Muslim rule in exchange for non-interference in their religious and cultural practises.
• He also established peace by instituting a strict taxation system. In exchange, he guaranteed the natives' safety and property. Hajjaj died in 714. When Walid Bin Abdul Malik died, his younger brother Suleman took over as Caliph.
• He was a bitter foe of Hajjaj's family. He summoned Mohammad Bin Qasim from Sindh, who carried out the orders as a general should. When he returned, he was sentenced to death on July 18, 715AD, at the age of twenty.

Conclusion

Muhammad Bin Qasim, a 17-year-old boy, was ambitious, a great warrior, and courageous. He was born and raised in Taif, Saudi Arabia. He invaded the Sind and Multan regions. This is a historic victory that will be remembered throughout the history of the world. He was not a cruel king. He desired to establish a territory based on rich culture and civilization. He proved to be an excellent administrator. When he rose to power, the Khalifahs were unable to digest his success and arrested him on false charges. He was returned to Arab, where he was killed. Sindis worshipped his statues. But because the caliphs were not liberal, they could not rule for long.