Advent of Islam in India: From Arab Invasions to the Delhi Sultanate

The advent of Islam in India began with the arrival of Arab armies, who engaged in battles with small Hindu kingdoms for centuries. Muhammad Bin Qasim established Arab rule in Sind in 712 AD, while Arabs also settled in Malabar and the Coromandel Coast, known as Mappillais. Later, the Ghaznavids, led by Mahmud Ghazni, invaded India multiple times, looting temples and expanding their empire. The Ghurids, under Muhammad Ghori, furthered Islamic rule in India, leading to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1206.

Advent of Islam in India

• Battle of Qadisiya: brought the Arab armies to the frontier of al-Hind. They struggled in the north-west and fought with small Hindu kingdoms for around four centuries.
• Muhammad Bin Qasim Invasion: eventually established Arab rule in Sindh in 712 AD after defeating King Dahir.

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Ghaznavids in India

• Founding of the Ghaznavid Dynasty by Subuktigin: Subuktigin (Turkish slave commander) was the founder of the Ghaznavid dynasty and led numerous expeditions against the frontier outpost of the Hindu Shahi dynasty.
• Mahmud Ghazni’s Invasions of India: Subuktigin’s son, Mahmud Ghazni, invaded India 17 times. 
  • As a reward for his service to Islam, he received the title of ‘Yamin al-Dawla’ from the Abbasid Caliph. 
  • Thus, this dynasty was called Yamini.
• Defeat of Jaipal: He defeated Jaipal (Hindushahi ruler) in 1001 A.D.
• Battle of Waihind: He defeated Anandpal (Jaipal’s son)  in the Battle of Waihind (1008-1009 AD).
• Conquest and Plunder: He attacked the cities of Nagarkot, Thanesar, Mathura and Kanauj and looted the Somnath temple in 1025 AD.
• Decline and Overthrow of the Ghaznavid Empire: After the death of Mahmud, the Ghaznavid empire was reduced to Ghazni and Punjab which was ultimately overthrown by their vassals, the Ghurids, from the mountainous region east of Herat.

Ghurids in India

• First Invasion and Conquest of Multan: Muhammad of Ghor or Muhammad Ghori’s first invasion was against Multan, which ultimately fell in 1175 AD. 
• Battle of Kayadara, 1178-79: He was defeated in Gujarat by Raja Bhimdev II (Chalukya/Solanki dynasty) in the Battle of Kayadara in 1178-79, near Mount Abu. 
  • After this defeat Ghori changed the course of his expedition, consolidating his position in Sind and the Punjab.
• Expansion and Garrison Establishment: Through the 1180s and 1190s Ghori established garrisons in the modern provinces of Punjab, Sind, and Haryana. 
  • These centres of military power soon attracted the in-migration of mercenaries in search of opportunities.
• Wars with Prithviraj: He fought two wars with  Prithviraj
  • First Battle of Tarain (1191): Prithviraj won this battle but failed to consolidate his position believing this battle to be a frontier fight, and did not expect the Ghurids to make regular attacks.
  • Second Battle of Tarain (1192): It was one of the turning points in Indian history. 
  • Prithviraj suffered a crushing defeat and was eventually captured. Ghori restored him to his throne in Ajmer. 
  • But on charges of treason, he was later executed, and Ghori’s trusted general Qutb-ud-din Aibak was appointed as his deputy in India.
• Battle of Chandawar (1194):  Mohammad Ghori defeated Jai Chand (Gadhawal king of Kannauj).
  • He looted the treasury of Gahadavala, occupied the city of Benaras and desecrated its temples.
  • After 1203, following the death of his brother, he left India.
• Qutubuddin Aibak: ultimately founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.
  • Early Life and Enslavement: Initially a slave, he was raised in Nishapur and came under the ownership of Ghori.
  • Rise from Slavery: He began his career as head of the royal stables but later rose to military command.
  • Tasked with Consolidation: After Ghori’s conquest of Delhi in 1193, Qutubuddin was tasked with consolidating Ghūrid conquests in northwest India.
  • Subjugation of the Ganges-Yamuna Region: He focused on subjugating areas between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers and campaigned against resisting Rajputs from 1195 to 1203.
  • Succession After Ghori’s Assassination: Following Ghori’s assassination in 1206, Qutubuddin emerged as his logical successor despite still technically being a slave.
  • Legacy and Succession of Qutubuddin Aibak: His son-in-law and successor, Iltutmish, built upon Qutubuddin’s conquests to establish the independence of the Delhi sultanate.

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Conclusion

The period marked by the advent of Islam in India witnessed significant military campaigns and the establishment of Islamic rule over parts of the subcontinent. From Muhammad Bin Qasim’s conquest of Sind to Qutubuddin Aibak founding the Delhi Sultanate, these events shaped the course of Indian history. The interactions between Islamic and Indian cultures during this time left a lasting impact on the region, influencing its art, architecture, and society for centuries to come.

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