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Book No. – 8 (Medieval History of India)
Book Name – Political Structure and State Formation in Early Medieval India
What’s Inside the Chapter? (After Subscription)
1. Introduction
2. The Arab Conquest of Sind
3. Causes for Invasion of Sind by the Arabs
4. Causes of Arab Success in Sind
5. Arab Administration in Sind
6. Intellectual Achievements
7. Consequences of Arab Conquests of Sind
8. Conclusion
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Arab Conquest of Sindh: Causes and Impact
Chapter – 4
Introduction
Rise of Islam is a key incident in the history of Islam.
Prophet Muhammad was not only the founder of a new religion but also the head of a city-state.
Muhammad left no male heir; claims were made for his son-in-law and cousin Ali, but the community elected Abu Bakr as caliph, the Prophet’s companion and one of the earliest converts to Islam.
Abu Bakr served as caliph for two years before his death, and was succeeded by Umar (r. 634-644), under whose leadership the Islamic community grew into a vast empire.
Umar was succeeded by Usman (r. 644-656), followed by Ali (r. 656-661), the last of the “Righteous Caliphs”.
Ali occupies a special place in Islam due to his relationship with the Prophet, personal bravery, nobility of character, and intellectual gifts, but he couldn’t control the tribal and personal quarrels of the Arabs.
After Ali’s death, Muawiyah (r. 661-680), the first of the Umayyad caliphs, seized power and moved the seat of caliphate from Medina to Damascus.
Three years later, the succession passed to another branch of the Umayyad dynasty, which continued in power until 750.
During this period, the Muslim armies overran Asia Minor, conquered the north coast of Africa, occupied Spain, and were halted in the heart of France at Tours.
To the east, the Muslim empire expanded into Central Asia and part of the Indian subcontinent was annexed.
During these conquests, the Arabs came into contact with older civilizations.
The Arab Conquest of Sind
The first contacts between Islam and India occurred against the backdrop of rapid Islamic expansion.
Spices and other goods from India and Southeast Asia had long been in high demand in Egypt and southern Europe.
The transit trade was largely controlled by Arabs, who brought goods from Indian ports to Yemen in southern Arabia.
From Yemen, goods were transported by land to Syrian ports and then shipped to Egypt and Europe.
The rise of Islam did not initially create this trade connection with India, but it added a new dimension.
Trade continued even after the Arabs embraced Islam.
The first major conflict between the Indian subcontinent and Muslim Arabia arose due to developments related to Arab sailors operating around the Indian Ocean.