If Indians can claim and praise every major Hindu Ruler in South Asia i.e. Raja Dahir, Prithviraj Chauhan, Shivaji etc and build several monuments of them then we should take liberty in praising and remembring our Muslim Rulers aswell specially those who chose to stay here, assimilated in local population and had their successors been born in this land i.e. Sultan Mahmud ghaznavi, Shahabuddin Ghauri, Alauddin Khilji, Zaheeruddin Babur, Akbar, Aurangzeb Alamgir, Ahmed Shah Abdali, Tipu Sultan etc.
Islamic history in South Asia can be divided into following timeperiods:
- Early Middle Ages
- Medieval Period
- Mughal Empire
- British Era
- Struggle for Pakistan (Tehreek-e-Pakistan)
- Emergence of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Right after rise of Islam under Rashidun Caliphate, the conquest of Persian Empire which occupied West portion of today's Balochistan Province, Pakistan led to the spread of Islam in region of South Asia and opened the doors of conquest of this region. After it, large number of Baloch people accepted Islam.
However, there are accounts of a King in South India Chakrawati Farmas (Today's Malabar, India) who witnessed splitting of Moon and investigated this phenomenon until he found out that it was done by
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) who claims to be last apostle of
ALLAH S.W.T in Makkah. He traveled thousands of miles to Arabia and met
Prophet (S.A.W.) and accepted Islam. When he returned to his homeland, he built a mosque there which still exists today.
The most famous historical account which marks the spread of Islam in this region is none other than conquest of Sindh in 712 AD by Muhammad Bin Qasim serving under Umayyad Caliphate.
1. Early Middle Ages :
Muhammad Bin Qasim (695-715) :
Muhammad bin Qasim was born around 695 AD. He belonged to the Saqqafi tribe; that had originated from Taif in Arabia. He grew up in the care of his mother; he soon became a great asset to his uncle Muhammad Ibn Yusuf, the governor of Yemen. His judgment, potential and skills left many other officers and forced the ruler to appoint him in the state department. He was also a close relative of Hajjaj bin Yousuf, because of the influence of Hajjaj, the young Muhammad bin Qasim was appointed the governor of Persia while in his teens, and he crushed the rebellion in that region. There is also a popular tradition that presents him as the son-in-law of Hajjaj bin Yousuf. He conquered the Sindh and Punjab regions along the Indus River for the Umayyad Caliphate.
Raja Dahir
There are both long and short term causes for the conquest of india. Arabs had trade with India and Eastern Asia. The trade was carried through sea rout; the rout was unsafe due to the plunder of the Pirates of Sindh. The Arab rebels also get refuge in Sindh. Thus the Umayyad wanted to consolidate their rule and also to secure the trade rout. During Hajjaj’s governorship, the Mids of Debal (Pirates) plundered the gifts of Ceylon’s ruler to Hijjaj and attacked on ships of Arab that were carrying the orphans and widows of Muslim soldiers who died in Sri Lanka. Thus providing the Umayyad Caliphate the legitimate cause, that enabled them to gain a foothold in the Makran, and Sindh regions.
Map of the maximum extents of Muhammad ibn Qasim's expansion of Umayyad rule into Pakistan and northwestern India, c. 711 CE
The Umayyad caliphate ordered Muhammad Bin Qasim to attack over Sindh. He led 6,000 Syrian cavalry and at the borders of Sindh he was joined by an advance guard and six thousand camel riders and with five catapults (Manjaniks). Muhammad Bin Qasim first captured Debal, from where the Arab army marched along the Indus. At Rohri he was met by Dahir’s forces. Dahir died in the battle, his forces were defeated and Muhammad bin Qasim took control of Sind. Mohammad Bin Qasim entered Daibul in 712 AD. As a result of his efforts, he succeeded in capturing Daibul. He continued his Victorious Progress in succession, Nirun, fortress (called Sikka), Brahmanabad, Alor, Multan and Gujrat. After the conquest of Multan, he carried his arms to the borders of Kigdom of Kashmir, but his dismissal stopped the further advance. Now Muslims were the masters of whole Sindh and a part of Punjab up to the borders of Kashmir in the north. After the conquest, he adopted a conciliatory policy, asking for acceptance of Muslim rule by the natives in return for non-interference in their religious and cultural practices. He also established peace with a strong taxation system. In return he provided the guaranty of security of life and property for the natives. Hajjaj died in 714. When Walid Bin Abdul Malik died, his younger brother Suleman succeeded as the Caliph. He was a bitter enemy of Hajjaj’s family. He recalled Mohammad Bin Qasim from Sindh, who obeyed the orders as the duty of a general. When he came back, he was put to death on 18th of July, 715AD at the age of twenty.
After the
Abbasid Revolt in 750 AD and fall of Umayyad Caliphate, Sindh became independent and was captured by Musa b. K'ab al Tamimi in 752 AD. But soon Civil war erupted in Sindh in 842 AD, and the Habbari dynasty occupied Mansurah, and by 871, five independent principalities emerged, with the Banu Habbari clan controlling in Mansurah, Banu Munabbih occupying Multan, Banu Madan ruling in Makran, with Makshey and Turan falling to other rulers, all outside direct Caliphate control.
Breakup of Abbasid Caliph
Habbari dynasty (854–1011) :
The Habbari dynasty ruled the Abbasid province of Greater Sindh from 841 to 1024. The region became semi-independent under the Arab ruler Aziz al-Habbari in 841 CE, though nominally remaining part of the Caliphate. The Habbaris, who were based in the city of Mansura, ruled the regions of Sindh, Makran, Turan, Khuzdar and Multan. The Umayyad Caliph made Aziz governor of Sindh and he was succeeded by his sons Umar al-Habbari I and Abdullah al-Habbari in succession while his grandson Umar al-Habbari II was ruling when the famous Arab historian Al-Masudi visited Sindh. The Habbaris ruled Sindh until 1010 when the Soomra Khafif took over Sindh. In 1026 Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated Khafif, destroyed Mansura and annexed the region under the Ghaznavid rule.
Rulers:
- Umar ibn'Abd al-Aziz al'Habbari (855-884)
- Abdullah bin Umar (884-913)
- Umar bin-Abdullah (913-943)
- Muhammad bin Abdullah (943-973)
- Ali bin Umar (973-987)
- Isa bin ali
- Manbi ibn Ali bin Umar (987-1010)
- Khafif (Soomra dynasty) (1010-1025)
2. Medieval Period :
Soomra dynasty (1026–1356) :
The Habbari dynasty became semi independent and was eliminated and Mansura was invaded by Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi. Sindh then became an easternmost State of the Abbasid Caliphate ruled by the Soomro Dynasty until the Siege of Baghdad (1258). Mansura was the first capital of the Soomra dynasty and the last of the Habbari dynasty. The Soomro tribe revolted against Masud, ruler of the Ghaznavids because they were betrayed by their own wazir. They were superseded by the Samma dynasty. Sindhi language prospered during this period. The Soomra dynasty ended when the last Soomra king was defeated by Alauddin Khalji, the second king of the Khalji dynasty ruling from Delhi.
Early History :
The Umayyad Caliphs appointed Aziz al Habbari as the governor of Sindh. The Habbari dynasty was controlling Sindh under the orders of the Ummayad Caliphate. When troubles began between the Ummayads and the Abbasids Habbari rule became semi independent, though it still remained under the influence of the Ummayad Caliphate indirectly. Habbaris ruled Sindh until Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Habbaris in 1024 because Mahmud Ghaznavi, viewed the Abbasids to be the legitimate caliphs. Following the defeat of the Habbaris, the Abbasid Caliphate made Al Khafif from Samarra the new governor of Sindh for a stronger and stable government. Al Khafif allotted key positions to his family and friends thus Al-Khafif or Khafif Soomrobecame the first ruler of the dynasty in Sindh. Until the Siege of Baghdad the Soomro Dynasty was the Abbasid Caliphate's functionary in Sindh but after that it became independent. Since then some Soomros intermarried with several local women and adopted some local customs as well. Mansura was the first capital of the Soomro dynasty and the last of the Habbari dynasty.
Soomro period :
The Soomro Dynesty later shifted their capital to Tharri, nearly 14 km eastwards of Matli on the Puran. Puran was later abandoned due to changes in the course of Puran river. Afterwards, Thatta was made the capital of Sindh for about 95 years until the end of their rule in 1351 AD. During this period, Kutch was ruled by the Samma Dynasty, who enjoyed good relations with the Soomros in Sindh.
Salient features :
In 1011 AD, the first Soomro King, Al Khafif was given control of Sindh by the Abbasid Caliphate to build a stronger government when Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Habbaris. in The beginning Soomro's had Arabic names thus admitting of their Arab past. since then some intermarried with local women. The Soomro Dynasty lost ties with the Abbasid Caliphate after the Siege of Baghdad (1258) and the Soomro kings Soomar, Bhoongar and Dodo-1, established their rule from the shores of the Arabian Sea to Multan, Bahawalpur, Sadiqabad and Uch in the north and in the east to Rajistan and in the west to Balochistan.
The Renaissance started from 1092 AD when Princess Zainab Tari Soomro became the sovereign Queen of Sindh. As a first step, attention was paid to Sindhi language, which had remained dominated by Arabic during the last three centuries. Not only reforms were made in promoting Sindhi language for good governance, but fast progress was made in arts and crafts, architecture, agriculture and music, both instrumental and vocal. Sports like horse and camel races, wrestling known "Mulluh" and other marshal sports were patronized.
A lot about Soomros is mentioned in the Chachnama though not all of it is true even some of it is even baseless.
Renaissance in Sindh :
Language and literature :
As everywhere in the world, the literature had a poetic start, so in Sindh also, the minstrels and bards made great strides in Sindhi folk poetry. They composed their poetry around popular myths, folk tales, historical events and romances. A minstrel named Sumang Charan stands prominent among all other minstrels and bards of the early period.
In this period, "Doha (couplets)", "Gaha", "Geech (marriage songs)" "Gaya (songs of Soomro women)", forms of Sindhi poetry developed as a part of dramatic narration. Later on new dimensions were brought to Sindhi poetry, after the battle of Dodo Chanesar, the Soomro kings with the armies of Sultan Allaulddin of Delhi, in 1313 AD near the city of "Thaar Banghar" which gave rise to epic form of poetry in Sindh.
A minstrel named Bhagu Bhan, also a court poet of Soomro Kings, was renowned as composer and singer of epic poetry. He was an expert in playing local musical instruments, especially "Surando". This instrument could be called the violin of the East.
There were other master musicians and singers as Chand Fakir, Bahiro Mangto, Lado Bhag and many others from Charans, Mangtas and Manganhars tribes. From the women poets, Mai Markha Shaikh was a remarkable poet of that time. They all played their part towards poetical progress in Sindhi literature during the rule of Soomro Dynasty in Sindh.
The great historical dramatic romances that took place in the reign of the last few Soomro kings were Lilan Chanesar, Umar Marvi and Momal Rano. Earlier than this, the love tales of Sassui Punhun, Suhni Mehar and Sorath-Rai Dyach were narrated in melodious poetry by minstrels and bards in public musical evenings patronized by the Soomro Kings.
Centuries afterwards, the tales of these historic romances became the subject matter of Sufistic poetry by the famous Sufi poet of Sindh, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, who immortalized these tales. He transformed these tales into different Surs i.e. musical composition with classical norms. Since then great Sindhi, master musicians and singers keep singing these soulful melodies even in this 21st.
Fall of the Soomro dynasty :
The Siege of Baghdad (1258), saw the dynasty lose its ties with Abbasid Caliphate. Since then The Sultans of Delhi wanted a piece of Sindh. The Soomros successfully defended their kingdom for about 100 years but their dynasties soon fell to the might of the massive armies of the Sultans of Delhi, such as the Tughluks and the Khiljis because of a rebellion led by Chanesar who joined forces with the Khiljis and
Dodo Bin Al Khafif died fighting in battle with the Khiljis.
Ghaznavid dynasty (977–1186) :
The Ghaznivid Empire was an empire that existed during the 10th-11th century; stretching at it's peak from Tehran to Northern India, and was Turkic-Persian in origin, largely following Sunni Islam. The date of it's foundation was 962-977, and that of it's disintegration 1180-1187; lasting some 224 years. The Ghaznivids were one of the most distinguished empires to have ever existed in Afghanistan. The empire was founded by the slaveAptigin (a Turkish Mamluk originally from Ghazni; who had fled from Balkh to Ghazni in 961 after a failed coup who revolted against the ruling Samanids of Iran, conquering their throne, thus establishing himself as ruler who would bring in great economic and political development. He was father in law to Sabuktagin (whom some historians also consider the founder of the Ghaznivids) who would later expand the empire extensively.
Altigpin crossed the Hindu Kush, after laying siege to the "insignificant" Fort of Ghazni in 962 transforming it into "one of the most dazzling capitals of the Islamic world" after his victory. The fort itself was militarily and politically advantageous for his cause; it lay near the lucrative Silk Road where it was nestled in between Kabul and Kandahar. The empire itself became significant for it's prestige and for being the first Islamic empire to spread itself across Asia, and well into Hindu-dominated Northern India. The centre of the Ghaznivid empire was known for being home to artisans, poets, musicians,philosophers, scholars/scientists and other intelligentsia; and were also responsible for building "opulent palaces, gold encrusted mosques" and for having spread "abundant" gardens into India. This empire also gave the world windmill's, which were one of the most important inventions the world has ever seen.
Ghaznavid expansion into Pakistan and North-West India
Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi (998 – 1030) :
Mahmood Gaznavi was born in 971AD, in khurasan. Mahmood Ghazni was the son of Abu Mansur Sabuktigin, who was a Turkish slave soldier of the samanid ruler. In 994 Mahmood joined his father in the conquest of Ghazni for Samanid ruler, it was the time of instability for Samanid Empire. In 998AD Mahmood took control of the Ghazni and also conquered Qandahar.
In 1001 Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated Jeebal the king of Kabulistan and marched further into Peshawar and in 1005 made it the center for his forces. From this strategic location Mahmud was able to capture Panjab in 1007, Tanseer fell in 1014, Kashmir was captured in 1015 and Qanoch fell in 1017. By 1027 Sultan Mahmud had captured Pakistan and parts of northern India.
On 1010 Mahmud captured what is today the Ghor Province (Ghor) and by 1011 annexed Balochistan. Sultan Mahmud had already had relationships with the leadership in Balkh through marriage and its local emir Abu Nasr Mohammad offered his services to Sultan Mahmud and offered his daughter to Muhammad son of Sultan Mahmud. After Nasr’s death Mahmud brought Balkh under his leadership. This alliance greatly helped Mahmud during his expeditions into Pakistan and northern India.
In 1030 Sultan Mahmud fell gravely ill and died at the age of 59. Sultan Mahmud was an accomplished military commander and speaker as well as a patron of poetry, astronomy, and math. Mahmud had no tolerance for other religions however and only praised Islam. Universities were formed to study various subjects such as math, religion, the humanities and medicine were taught, but only within the laws of the Sharia. Islam was the main religion of his kingdom and the Perso-Afghan dialect of Dari language was made the official language.
Ghaznavid rule in Pakistan lasted for over one hundred and seventy five years from 1010 to 1187. It was during this period that Lahore assumed considerable importance as the eastern-most bastion of Muslim power and as an outpost for further advance towards the riches of the east. Apart from being the second capital and later the only capital of the Ghaznavid kingdom, Lahore had great military and strategic significance. Whoever controlled this city could look forward to and be in a position to sweep the whole of East Punjab to Panipat and Delhi.
By the end of his reign, Mahmud’s empire extended from Kurdistan in the west to Samarkand in the northeast, and from the Caspian Sea to the Yamuna. All of what is today Pakistan and Kashmir came under the Ghaznavid empire. The wealth brought back to Ghazni was enormous, and contemporary historians (e.g. Abolfazl Beyhaghi , Ferdowsi) give detailed descriptions of the building activity and importance of Lahore, as well as of the conqueror’s support of literature.
Often reviled as a persecutor of Hindus (and in many cases Hindu temples were looted and destroyed) much of Mahmud’s army consisted of Hindus and some of the commanders of his army were also of Hindu origin. Sonday Rai was the Commander of Mahmud’s crack regiment and took part in several important campaigns with him. The coins struck during Mahmud’s reign bore his own image on one side and the figure of a Hindu deity on the other.
Mahmud, as a patron of learning, filled his court with scholars including Ferdowsi the poet, Abolfazl Beyhaghi the historian (whose work on the Ghanavid Empire is perhaps the most substantive primary source of the period) and Al-Biruni the versatile scholar who wrote the informative Ta’rikh al-Hind (“Chronicles of Hind”). It was said that he spent over four hundred thousand golden dinars rewarding scholars. He invited the scholars from all over the world and was thus known as an abductor of scholars. During his rule, Lahore also became a great center of learning and culture. Lahore was called ‘Small Ghazni’ as Ghazni received far more attention during Mahmud’s reign. Saad Salman, a poet of those times, also wrote about the academic and cultural life of Muslim Lahore and its growing importance.