Reasons and Battlefield for Muhammad bin Qasim to Attack India
The conquest of India was driven by both long and short-term causes. One long-term factor was the Arab trade with India and Eastern Asia, which was primarily carried out by sea route. However, this sea route was fraught with danger due to the activities of the Pirates of Sindh, who plundered and disrupted the trade. Additionally, Sindh also provided refuge to Arab rebels, which was concerning for the Umayyad Caliphate. As a result, consolidating their rule and securing the trade route became important strategic goals for the Umayyad rulers.
During the governorship of Hajjaj, a significant incident occurred when the Pirates of Debal, a region in Sindh, looted gifts intended for Hijjaj from the ruler of Ceylon. Furthermore, they also attacked Arab ships that were carrying the orphans and widows of Muslim soldiers who had perished in Sri Lanka. This aggressive behavior by the Pirates of Sindh provided the Umayyad Caliphate with a legitimate cause to intervene and gain a foothold in the Makran and Sindh regions, as it posed a threat to the safety of their trade routes and the security of their subjects.
In response to these provocations, Muhammad Bin Qasim was given the task of leading an expedition into Sindh by the Umayyad caliphate. He assembled a force of 6,000 Syrian cavalry and was later joined by an advance guard and 6,000 camel riders. Along with the military personnel, they also brought five catapults (Manjaniks) to assist in their campaign.
Muhammad Bin Qasim's first major success was the capture of Debal, after which his army advanced along the Indus River. When they reached Rohri, they encountered the forces of Dahir, the local ruler. In the ensuing battle, Dahir was killed and his forces were defeated, allowing Muhammad Bin Qasim to gain control of Sindh. His military campaign continued with victories in Nirun, Brahmanabad, Alor, Multan, and Gujrat. The conquest of Multan was particularly significant as it extended the reach of Muslim control up to the borders of the Kingdom of Kashmir in the north.
Following these conquests, Muhammad Bin Qasim adopted a conciliatory approach, offering the natives under his rule the chance to accept Muslim governance in exchange for respecting their religious and cultural practices. He also established a system of taxation and promised security for the lives and property of the indigenous population, contributing to overall stability in the region.
However, Muhammad Bin Qasim's success and rule were short-lived. After Hajjaj died in 714 and the subsequent change in the Umayyad leadership with Suleman becoming the Caliph after Walid Bin Abdul Malik's death, Muhammad Bin Qasim's role and further advancements were affected. Despite this, his military campaign had a lasting impact, as Muslim rule was firmly established in Sindh and a portion of Punjab.