Advent of Islam in the Sub-Continent

The last Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), completely changed the intellectual outlook
of Arabia. Within a span of 23 years he transformed the barbarous and impious Arabs into a civilized
and religious nation. During his life and also after his death, Muslims took the message of Islam to
every corner of the world and within a few years Muslims became the super power of the era.

Trade relations between Arabia and the Sub-continent dated back to ancient times. Long before the
advent of Islam in Arabia, the Arabs used to visit the coast of Southern India, which then provided
the link between the ports of South and South East Asia. After the Arab traders became Muslim, they
brought Islam to South Asia. A number of local Indians living in the coastal areas embraced Islam.
However, it was the Muslim conquests in Persia, including the provinces of Kirman and Makran, which
brought the Arabs face to face with the then ruler of Sindh, who had allied with the ruler of Makran
against the Muslims. But, it was not until the sea borne trade of the Arabs in the Indian Ocean was
jeopardized that serious attempts were made to subjugate Sindh.

During the reign of the great Umayyad Caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, Hajjaj bin Yousaf was appointed
as the governor of the Eastern Provinces. At that time, Raja Dahir, a Brahman, ruled Sindh. However,
the majority of the people living in the region were Shudders or Buddhists. Dahir treated members
of these denominations inhumanly. They were not allowed to ride horses or to wear a turban or
shoes. Sindhi pirates, protected by Dahir, were active on the coastal areas and whenever they got a
chance, they plundered the ships passing by Daibul.

During those times, some Muslim traders living in Ceylon died and the ruler of Ceylon sent their
widows and orphans back to Baghdad. They made their journey by sea. The King of Ceylon also sent
many valuable presents for Walid and Hajjaj. As the eight-ship caravan passed by the seaport of
Daibul, Sindhi pirates looted it and took the women and children prisoner. When news of this attack
reached Hajjaj, he demanded that Dahir return the Muslim captives and the looted items. He also
demanded that the culprits be punished. Dahir replied that he had no control over the pirates and
was, therefore, powerless to rebuke them. On this Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh. Two small
expeditions sent by him failed to accomplish their goal. Thus, in order to free the prisoners and to
punish the guilty party, Hajjaj decided to undertake a huge offensive against Dahir, who was
patronizing the pirates.

In 712, Hajjaj sent 6,000 select Syrian and Iraqi soldiers, a camel corps of equal strength and a baggage
train of 3,000 camels to Sindh under the command of his nephew and son in-law, Imad-ud-din
Muhammad bin Qasim, a young boy of just seventeen years. He also had a ‘manjaniq’, or catapult,
which was operated by 500 men and could throw large stones a great distance. On his way the
governor of Makran, who provided him with additional forces, joined him. Also, a good number of
Jats and Meds, who had suffered at the hands of native rulers, joined the Arab forces.

Muhammad bin Qasim first captured Daibul. He then turned towards Nirun, near modern Hyderabad,
where he easily overwhelmed the inhabitants. Dahir decided to oppose the Arabs at Raor. After a
fierce struggle, Dahir was overpowered and killed. Raor fell into the hands of the Muslims. The Arab
forces then occupied Alor and proceeded towards Multan. Along the way, the Sikka (Uch) fortress,
situated on the bank of the Ravi, was also occupied. The Hindu ruler of Multan offered resistance for
two months after which the Hindus were overpowered and defeated. Prior to this, Muhammad bin
Qasim had taken Brahmanabad and a few other important towns of Sindh. Muhammad bin Qasim
was planning to proceed forward when the new Caliph Suleman bin Abdul Malik recalled him. After
the departure of Muhammad bin Qasim, different Muslim generals declared their independence at
different areas.

The Muslim conquest of Sindh brought peace and prosperity to the region. Law and order was
restored. The sea pirates of Sindh, who were protected by Raja Dahir, were crushed. As a result of
this, sea trade flourished. The port of Daibul became a very busy and prosperous commercial center.

When Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh, the local people, who had been living a life of misery,
breathed a sigh of relief. Qasim followed a lenient policy and treated the local population generously.
Everyone had full religious freedom and even the spiritual leaders of local religions were given salaries
from the government fund. No changes were made in the local administration and local people were
allowed to hold offices – particularly in the revenue department. All taxes were abolished and Jazia
was imposed. Everyone was treated equally. Poor people, especially Buddhists, were very impressed
by his policies and many of them embraced Islam. A number of Mosques and Madrasas were
constructed in important towns. In a short period of time Sindh became a center of Islamic learning.
A number of religious scholars, writers and poets were emerged and they spread their knowledge.
The Muslims learned Indian sciences like medicine, astronomy and mathematics. Sanskrit books on
various subjects were translated into Arabic. During the reign of Haroon al Rasheed, a number of
Hindu scholars were even invited to Baghdad.

The establishment of Muslim rule also paved way for future propagation of Islam in Sindh and the
adjoining regions. Later Sindh also attracted Ismaili missionaries who were so successful that Sindh
passed under Ismaili rule. With the conquest of Lahore by Mahmud of Ghazni, missionary activity
began again under the aegis of Sufis who were the main agents in the Islamization of the entire
region.