Hinduism: Details about 'Muhammad Bin Qasim'
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Muhammad bin Qasim (c. 695–715) was an Arab general who captured Sindh and started the Islamic era in the Indian subcontinent.
Life and careerMuhammad 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. With 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 into India in what is today the Sindh area of Pakistan. The Umayyads claimed the attack was an attempt to rescue pilgrims that had been taken captive by pirates, though some 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 - Sindh in addition to protecting maritime interests are the participation of armies from Sindh alongside Persians in various battles such at Nashawand and the granting of refuge to fleeing rebel chieftains. Qasim was successful, rapidly taking all of Sindh and moving into Southern Punjab up to Multan. The forces of Muhammad bin Qasim defeated hindu Raja Dahir in alliance with Jat Regiments and other Buddhist Rajas, and took his daughters captive (they were sent as a gift to Caliph). 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). After the violence 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 no conversion of the majority Buddhist populations was attempted. Qasim also began preparations for an attack on Rajasthan. In the interim, however, Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef died, as did Caliph Al-Walid I. 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. Persecution by QasimQasim demolished many Hindu temples and aboloshed idols, as they are seen as great evils in Islam (shirk). After his conquest, he established law and order in the territory through the imposition of Islamic Sharia laws. As well populations of conquered territories under Qasim who were non-Muslims had taxes, known as jizya, imposed upon them. Some also say that he also converted many to Islam using violence, though this the mass conversion by the sword is a heavily disputed theory, and not accepted by the larger Muslim mainstream academia because it is against Islam. References
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