Muhammad bin Qasim
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Muhammad bin Qasim (Arabic محمد بن قاسم ) (c. 695–715) was a Syrian Arab general who conquered Sindh and Punjab regions along the Indus river (now a part of Pakistan). The conquest of Sindh and Punjab started the Islamic era in the South Asia.
Life and Career
Muhammad bin Qasim was born around 695. His father died when he was young, leaving Qasim's mother in charge of his education. Umayyad governor Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef was one of Qasim's close relatives, and was instrumental in teaching Qasim about warfare and governing. Qasim's is known for his expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate to the east by adding Sindh and parts of Punjab. The primary source of his historiography comes from the Chach Nama.Under Hajjaj's patronage, Qasim was made governor of Persia, where he succeeded in putting down a rebellion. At the age of seventeen, he was sent by Caliph Al-Walid I to lead an army towards India into what is today the Sindh and Punjab area of Pakistan. The Umayyads claimed the attack was an attempt to rescue pilgrims that had been taken captive by pirates, though neutral experts regard this explanation as a pretext for invasion. Other reasons attributed to the rising Islamic Empires interest in gaining a foothold in the Makran, Balochistan and Sindh regions in addition to protecting maritime interests is the participation of armies from Sindh alongside Persians in various battles such at Nahawand, Salasal and Qādisiyyah and the granting of refuge to fleeing rebel chieftains.
Campaign
Qasim's expedition was the third, the first two had failed and were reported to have been afflicted by both a stiffer than anticpated oppossition as well as heat, exhaustion and scurvy. The soldiers in the third expedition had to resort to using soaked cotton with vinegar to suck on as a prophylaxis against scurvy.
Qasim was successful, rapidly taking all of Sindh and moving into Southern Punjab up to Multan on a regiment of 6,000 Syrians soldiers. He succeeded partly because Dahir was an unpopular Hindu king that ruled over a Buddhist majority. The forces of Muhammad bin Qasim defeated the Hindu Raja Dahir in alliance with Jats and other Buddhist Rajas.
On his arrival at the town of Brahminabad between six and sixteen thousand men died in the ensuing battle. Buddhists and the Jat, Meds and Bhutto tribes hailed him as a rescuer from tyranny at the hands of Chach and his kin (regarded as usurpers of the Rai Dynasty).[link]
After the conquest of Multan Qasim attempted to establish law and order in the newly-conquered territory by allowing a degree of religious tolerance. He was countermanded by Hajjaj, who insisted on a more hardline policy. As a whole, populations of conquered territories were treated as People of the Book and granted toleration of their Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religions in return for payment of the poll tax (jizya). The Brahmin caste system was tolerated and temples declared inviolate. "The fall of Multan laid the Indus valley at the feet of the conqueror. The tribes came in, 'ringing bells and beating drums and dancing,' in token of welcome. The Hindu rulers had oppressed them heavily, and the Jats and Meds and other tribes were on the side of the invaders. The work of conquest, as often happened in India, was thus aided by the disunion of the inhabitants, and jealousies of race and creed conspired to help the Muslims. To such suppliants Mohammad Kasim gave the liberal terms that the Arabs usually offered to all but inveterate foes. He imposed the customary poll-tax, took hostages for good conduct, and spared the people's lands and lives. He even left their shrines undesecrated: 'The temples,' he proclaimed, 'shall be inviolate, like the churches of the Christians, the synagogues of the Jews, and the altars of the Magians.'" Stanley Lane-Poole, Medieval India under Mohammedan Rule, 712-1764, G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York, 1970. p. 9-10
Death
Qasim also began preparations for an attack on Rajasthan. In the interim, however, Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef died, as did Caliph Al-Walid I. Once Hajjaj, Muhammad Bin Qasim’s father-in-law and a notoriously brutal governor of Iraq died, the new governor took revenge against all who were close to Hajjaj. The new caliph, Suleiman, was a political enemy of Hajjaj and recalled Qasim, claiming that Qasim had treated Raja Dahir's daughters poorly. Qasim was wrapped in oxen hides and returned to Syria, where he was imprisoned. Muhammad bin Qasim died in jail, at the age of twenty.Administration by Qasim
A historian Baladhuri records the local sentiments upon Qasim's recall, “people of Hind wept for Qasim and preserved his likeness at Karaj”. While the “Chach-nama” notes the following as highlights of Qasim’s rule:- He permitted all to practice their religion freely
- Hindus were included in the Ahl al Kitab
- the status of Dhimmis (protected people) was conferred upon Hindus and Buddhists
- Property destroyed during hostilities was compensated for.
- As a sign of respect to his Hindu populace an edict was issued banning cow slaughter in Sindh and Multan.
After his conquest, he established law and order in the territory through the imposition of Islamic Sharia laws. Populations of conquered territories under Qasim who were non-Muslims had taxes, known as jizya, imposed upon them.
Legacy
Qasim's precensce and rule was very brief therefore beyond his conquest and initial edicts his impact upon the region is negligible. Muslim rulers who followed Muhammed bin Qasim did not distinguish themselves in any substantial manner. Dahir’s son Jaisimha who had converted to Islam for expediency recanted and Multan was captured by Ismailis. They destroyed an old and historic temple in Multan that bin Qasim had protected and built a mosque in its place.Port Qasim, Pakistan's second major port is named in honor of Muhammad bin Qasim.
Footnotes
References
- [The Chach-Nama]. English translation by Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg. Delhi Reprint, 1979.
- M.Ramakrishnayya, Historical memories and nation building in India, Booklinks corporation. Hyderabad, 500 029 India
- Nicholas F. Gier, FROM MONGOLS TO MUGHALS: RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE IN INDIA 9TH-18TH CENTURIES, Presented at the Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting American Academy of Religion, Gonzaga University, May, 2006[link]
- Stanley Lane-Poole, Medieval India under Mohammedan Rule, 712-1764, G.P. Putnam's Sons. New York, 1970
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