*THREAD ON FIRST ARAB INVASION OF INDIA*

As voted by you guys. https://twitter.com/PhasistB/status/1253770306965196805

Before that we must understand the extent of india on the eve of islamic invasion.

Initially, Arabs just decided to Raid the costal kingdoms in india.

In 637 AD, Thane, Debal and Broach (भड़ौच) was raided.

Sources differ, but we can safely assume that Arabs not only lost badly but also their leader was killed.

After the Failure of Raids, khalifa Uthman sent scouts but on receiving reports of strong hindu kingdoms, changed his mind.

Later, During time of Ali, in 659, a Large arab force attacked sindh (Baluchistan).....And Lost.

For next 20 yrs, Arabs used all their resources to capture these borderlands of sindh.

Muawiyah sent an expedition against kikanan, but lost and their leader killed.

Then, Makran desert was attacked.
Arabs did had some success here, but not enough

After establishing a stronghold in makran, Arabs were looking for a reason to attack sindh.

They got this reason when some momin women sent by king of Sri Lanka were captured by pirates in debal.

Khalifa wrote to raja dahir for help,but he declined saying...

..He didn't had any control over them.

Khalifa had his reasons to attack.

A large for under Ubaidallah was sent to Debal, but Arabs were slaughtered there.

Another force was sent under Mohammad ibn Harun, Dahir sent his son Jayasimha to stop him. Arabs were again unsuccessful.

After them Al-hajjaj sent Bin Kasim.

Also, Arabs started to contact Buddhist priests secretly who promised them to provide supplies during attack.

YES. Buddhist Priests Helped Arabs Against Hindus!

Important to note: Buddhists had quite a lot political influence.

Kasim was able to capture Debal, Nerun, and Sehwan among other cities, all because of this Treachery.

A prophecy of Brahmans is mentioned but couldn't be verified thru other sources.

*Ahimsa means Cowardice*

After kasim Reached at the banks of indus, Raja Dahir decided to meet him, along with his son Jayasimha.

Kasim was reluctant to Cross the indus and encamped. He proceede d only after Al-hajjaj prodded him to.

An arab working in Dahir's army advised him to attack kasim..

While he was crossing the river but dahir refused,Owing to medivial Chivalry and Rules of war.

Anyways, the war started. It was a bloody and long struggle, and dahir wasn't lacking in Valour.

Prior to the battle, a lot of David's local chieftains had betrayed him.

Still...Arabs were on the verge of defeat but Kasim ordered Naptha charge on Dahir's elephant, who then plunged into water.

Although dahir was able to get out of water, but he became target of Arab Archers.

He died with an arrow to his heart.

Rest of the army was put to rout.

Survivors took refuge in nearby Fort of Raor, whereas Jayasimha retreated to Brahamanabad.

queen of Dahir stayed in Raor to direct the struggle.

When situation turned dire, she performed Jauhar along with other ladies.

That was the first of many jauhars that Bharatvarsha would see.

Kasim then marched to Brahamanabad, where a fierce battle took place, kasim would've lost if not for treacherous behavior once again.

Some sources mention that daughters of dahir plotted to get kasim killed. It is wrong.
Kasim was killed on the orders of new khalifa.

Following the confusion, indian kings revolted and regained their kingdoms.
Later new khalifa Umar 2nd, sent message to kings of sindh.
jayasimha to convert to islam and adopted an arab name

Later, under new khalifa Hisham, Junaid was appointed as the governer of sindh. Jayasimha revolted and left islam following a spat b/w two.

It was during these times that Arabs decided to attack Interior parts of Bharat.

Arabs attacked Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Broach,Gujrat, Uzain( Ujjain) and Malwa.

Arab writers have tried to hide that Arabs lost in Ujjain (and malwa) hence they mention "only waging war, not winning it" here.

It was here that Arabic Onslaught Met it's End.

Here Navsari copper plates mention that Chalukya ruler, Avanijeshraya Pulakesin defeated mlecchas (Dated 738 AD)

Gwalior inscription of Bhoja (nephew of Nagbhatta 1) mentions that a coalition force under Nagbhatta defeated Mlecchas.

This coalition included rulers like Vikramaditya 2nd of chalukya dynasty which ruled karnatak (different from Avanijeshraya), Founder of Sisodiya Clan Bappa Rawal, among others.

After these battles, power of Arabs was considerably reduced

It is true that they continued capturing and losing border areas of bharatvarsh, but these battles ensured mleccha free Inner India for 2-3 centuries.

@AgentSaffron @jkd18 @bhootnath @CestMoiz @TIinExile @truejainology @PavanPutra84 @avarakai @KshatriyaItihas @virendrarathore @mesunainah

Sources: Arab Invasion of India, RC majumdar

Book itself mentions Chachnama, and accounts of Al-baladhuri as sources.