Establishment of Muslim Empire
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Tomb of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at Sehwan |
The establishment of Muslim rule in the sub-continent is a significant event in the history of Islam and of the sub-continent. Islam gained it’s first foothold. The Muslim empire in Sind continued to exist until the decline of the Umayyads. In the field of learning, decimal numerals were learned from the Indians. The Arabs learnt chess from the Hindus. Indian books on Astronomy such as Siddharta, were translated into Arabic as were books on Ayuverdic medicine.
During the reign of Harun ar Rashid, the Barmakids invited Hindu scholars to Baghdad to translate into Arabic Sanskrit works on medicine, philosophy, astronomy and other subjects.
The establishment of Muslim rule in Sind prepared the way for future propagation of Islam in Sind and the adjoining regions. The people were so impressed with the justice and leniency of the Muslims that when Muhammad bin Qasim and later Umayyad Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz invited the people to accept Islam, the response was good. Sind and Multan attracted Arab travelers, writers and missionaries. They spread their activities into Punjab, Baluchistan, and the tribes of the mountains in the northwest.
Later Sind attracted Ismaili missionaries who were so successful that Sind 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 of West Pakistan.
Muhammad
Ghuri
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Conquests of Muhammad Ghuri |
Muhammad Ghuri played a significant role in expanding Muslim rule in northern India. His vigorous and systematic campaigns for the first time roused the Rajput confederacy into concerted action and a real trial of strength ensued resulting in the triumph of Muslim arms.
His important victories remain at the battles of Taraori (1191-92), in which he defeated Prithvi Raj Chauhan, ruler of Delhi and Ajmer. After the second battle of Taroari, Muhammad Ghuri returned to Ghazni and entrusted the charge of his conquered territories to his lieutenant, Qutbuddin Aibak. He soon extended the conquests of his master and made Delhi the capital of the empire (1194).
Muhammad Ghuri was killed by an Ismaili fanatic, while he was on his way to Ghazni from Lahore. He is remembered as an empire builder and is justly called the founder of the Muslim empire in Indo-Pakistan.
On his death, Qutbuddin Aibak was elected Sultan by Turkish Amirs. He, thus became the first Sultan of the newly established Sultanate of Delhi.
