| Revision as of 17:22, 11 November 2005 editDangerous-Boy (talk | contribs)18,524 edits put back massacre since there was a source← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:08, 12 November 2005 edit undoStreet Scholar (talk | contribs)1,496 editsm Removed; mythological information. i.e week source.Next edit → | ||
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| The amazing Arab Islamic expansion was not only the result of cavalry forays. They had combined military operations with political means as well. Their offer to proselytize the natives to their own faith and become part of the new Islamic community and had a far reaching impact. It was an offer which was open to everybody, and one which was perhaps most readily accepted by the lower orders of Hindus who now had a marvellous opportunity for collective manumission from caste slavery. As a result many Sind tribes accepted ], among them the Somra Rajputs. | The amazing Arab Islamic expansion was not only the result of cavalry forays. They had combined military operations with political means as well. Their offer to proselytize the natives to their own faith and become part of the new Islamic community and had a far reaching impact. It was an offer which was open to everybody, and one which was perhaps most readily accepted by the lower orders of Hindus who now had a marvellous opportunity for collective manumission from caste slavery. As a result many Sind tribes accepted ], among them the Somra Rajputs. | ||
| These conquests, however, couldn't be sustained by the Muslim ] for very long. Umayyad rule stretched too far, and any further conquests without consolidation would prove futile. From Lisbon in Portugal to Lahore in the Punjab were the apogee of this vast empire. Following Qasim's departure and demise, after he was recalled to Baghdad, Muslim rule shrank to Sindh and the southern Punjab. But coastal trade and the presence of a Muslim colony in Sindh permitted significant cultural exchanges and the introduction into the subcontinent of Islamic teachers. Consolidation took place and conversion was widespread, especially amongst the ] majority. Multan became a center of the ] sect of ] (which still has many adherents today in Sindh). | These conquests, however, couldn't be sustained by the Muslim ] for very long. Umayyad rule stretched too far, and any further conquests without consolidation would prove futile. From Lisbon in Portugal to Lahore in the Punjab were the apogee of this vast empire. Following Qasim's departure and demise, after he was recalled to Baghdad, Muslim rule shrank to Sindh and the southern Punjab. But coastal trade and the presence of a Muslim colony in Sindh permitted significant cultural exchanges and the introduction into the subcontinent of Islamic teachers. Consolidation took place and conversion was widespread, especially amongst the ] majority. Multan became a center of the ] sect of ] (which still has many adherents today in Sindh). | ||
| In many regions north of Multan, however, several non-Muslim groups (largely Buddhists and ] as well as followers of folk religions further north) would remain numerous. From this period through the year ] the conquered area was divided into two parts: the northern region comprising the Punjab remained under the control of Hindu rajas while the southern area came under Muslim control and comprised Baluchistan, Sindh, and Multan--until a new invader appeared on the scene and reconquered all of what is today Pakistan. | |||
| Qasim demolished many temples, shattered "idolatorous" artwork and killed many people in his battles. After the violence, he attempted to establish law and order in the newly-conquered territory through the imposition of Islamic Shariah laws. He also sought control through systematic persecution of Hindus. Qasim wrote an account of such experiences: | |||
| :''O my cousin; I received your life inspiring letter. I was much pleased and overjoyed when it reached me. The events were recounted in an excellent and beautiful style, and I learnt that the ways and rules you follow are conformable to the Law. Except that you give protection to all, great and small alike, and make no difference between enemy and friend. God says, 'Give no quarter to Infidels, but cut their throats." "Then know that this is the command of the great God. You should not be too ready to grant protection, because it will prolong your work. After this, give no quarter to any enemy except to those who are of rank. This is a worthy resolve, and want of dignity will not be imputed to you. Peace be with you''. | |||
| Culturally native populations of conquered territories under Qasim underwent a great deal of hardship and struggle for their refusal to convert to Islam. Heavy taxes known as ] were imposed upon the non-muslims, and the conversion of conquered populations occurred on a large scale. | |||
| Qasim extended Muslim rule to the ]. Like ] before him, he traveled the whole of what is modern Pakistan, from Karachi to ], but he managed this feat with a small force of only 6,000 Syrian tribesmen, reaching the borders of Kashmir within three years. | Qasim extended Muslim rule to the ]. Like ] before him, he traveled the whole of what is modern Pakistan, from Karachi to ], but he managed this feat with a small force of only 6,000 Syrian tribesmen, reaching the borders of Kashmir within three years. | ||
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Muhammad bin Qasim was orphaned as a child and thus the responsibility of his upbringing fell upon his mother. She supervised his religious instruction herself, and hired different teachers for his secular education. It was the uncle, Hajjaj bin Yousaf, who taught him the art of governing and warfare. Qasim was an intelligent and cultured young man who at the age of fifteen was considered by many to be one of his uncle's greatest assets. He was asked to serve under the great general, Qutayba bin Muslim. Under his command Muhammad bin Qasim displayed a talent for skilful fighting and military planning. Hajjaj's complete trust in Qasim's abilities as a general became even more apparent when he appointed the young man as the commander of the all-important invasion on Sindh, when he was only seventeen years old. Muhammad bin Qasim proved Hajjaj right when he, without many problems, managed to win all his military campaigns. He used both his mind and military skills in capturing places like Daibul, Raor, Uch and Multan. History does not boast of many other commanders who managed such a great victory at such a young age.
Besides being a great general, Muhammad bin Qasim was also an excellent administrator. He established peace and order as well as a good administrative structure in the areas he conquered. He was a kind hearted and religious person. He had great respect for other religions. Hindu and Buddhist spiritual leaders were given stipends during his rule. The poor people of the land were greatly impressed by his policies and a number of them embraced Islam. Those who stuck to their old religions erected statues in his honor and started worshiping him after his departure from their land.
Muhammad bin Qasim was known for his obedience to the ruler. Walid bin Abdul Malik died and was succeeded by his younger brother Suleman as the Caliph. Suleman was an enemy of Hajjaj and thus ordered Qasim back to the kingdom. Qasim knew of the animosity between the two. He was aware that due to this enmity, he would not be well treated. He could have easily refused to obey the Caliph's orders and declare his independence in Sindh. Yet he was of the view that obeying ones ruler is the duty of a general and thus he decided to go back to the center. Here he became a victim to party politics. He was put behind bars where he died at age of twenty. Many historians believe that had he been given a few more years, he would have conquered the entire South Asian region.
The amazing Arab Islamic expansion was not only the result of cavalry forays. They had combined military operations with political means as well. Their offer to proselytize the natives to their own faith and become part of the new Islamic community and had a far reaching impact. It was an offer which was open to everybody, and one which was perhaps most readily accepted by the lower orders of Hindus who now had a marvellous opportunity for collective manumission from caste slavery. As a result many Sind tribes accepted Islam, among them the Somra Rajputs. These conquests, however, couldn't be sustained by the Muslim Arabs for very long. Umayyad rule stretched too far, and any further conquests without consolidation would prove futile. From Lisbon in Portugal to Lahore in the Punjab were the apogee of this vast empire. Following Qasim's departure and demise, after he was recalled to Baghdad, Muslim rule shrank to Sindh and the southern Punjab. But coastal trade and the presence of a Muslim colony in Sindh permitted significant cultural exchanges and the introduction into the subcontinent of Islamic teachers. Consolidation took place and conversion was widespread, especially amongst the Buddhist majority. Multan became a center of the Ismaili sect of Islam (which still has many adherents today in Sindh).
Qasim extended Muslim rule to the Indus Valley. Like Alexander the Great before him, he traveled the whole of what is modern Pakistan, from Karachi to Kashmir, but he managed this feat with a small force of only 6,000 Syrian tribesmen, reaching the borders of Kashmir within three years.