Raja Dahir Resolves To Protect Sindh Till His Last Breath
As Muhammad bin Kasim advanced further into Sindh, it was his clever strategy of appropriating, coopting and securing support from local chiefs and defectors rather than his military zeal, which played a crucial role in aiding the Arab invasion of the mighty Raja Dahir’s empire. Unfortunately, for Raja Dahir, a few treasonous elements of his population capitulating to the Arabs led to his downfall and the ill-fated capture of Sindh by the Arabs.
After subjugating Siwistan, Muhammad bin Kasim proceeded northwards along the western bank of the Indus. The Arabs were constrained as they did not know how to cross the river. Muhammad pitched his camp on the western bank of the Indus opposite the army of Raja Dahir which was camped on the other side.
By now, some more regional chiefs had betrayed their king Raja Dahir and accepted the subordination of Muhammad bin Kasim. One such chief was prince Mokah, who also deserted Raja Dahir and surrendered to Muhammad bin Kasim. Mokah agreed to supply boats to Muhammad’s army to cross the Indus in exchange of a large chunk of conquered territory.
Muhammad bin Kasim received 2000 select horses as reinforcement sent by Hajjaj. Meanwhile, Siwistan revolted and was subdued again by the Arabs. Consequently, Muhammad also received 4000 battle-hardened Jats from Siwistan as reinforcements to fight Raja Dahir. [The History And Culture Of The Indian People: Vol. 3 — The Classical Age, P 171 — R. C. Majumdar]
Brave And Honourable Raja Dahir Resolves To Fight Till The End
In sharp contrast to all the desertions and betrayals by a few traitorous people and chiefs of Sindh, “the character of, and resistance offered by king Dahir; his queens Rani Bai and Ladi, and his son Prince Jaisiah stands out” [Indian Resistance To Early Muslim Invaders Upto 1206 A.D., P 24 — Dr. Ram Gopal Mishra] as exemplary and honourable.
Upon coming to the western bank of the Indus, Muhammad bin Kasim sent two envoys to Raja Dahir with a message to either cross the river to the western side or allow the Arab army to cross over to the eastern side to battle with Raja Dahir’s army. Raja Dahir consulted his minister, Wazir Siyakar, who counseled him to allow Muhammad to cross the river with his army and meet them in battle.
There was a Muslim called Alafi in Raja Dahir’s court, who had escaped persecution by Al Hajjaj and attached himself in service of Raja Dahir. He advised the brave king to not allow Muhammad’s army to cross the river as it would lead to great calamity and catastrophe for the people of Sindh. Raja Dahir, although appreciative of Alafi’s suggestion, nevertheless decreed to allow Muhammad Kasim the choice of crossing the river, “lest it be imagined by him that we are in perplexity and have become very weak and powerless.” [The Chachnama: Volume 1 (1900), P 104 — Translated from Persian by Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg]
When his minister suggested that Raja Dahir should take his property and his followers to other parts of Hind, like a true and honourable warrior Raja Dahir said, “My plan is to meet the Arabs in open battle, and fight with them with all possible vigour. If I overpower them, I shall crush them to death and my kingdom will then be put on a firm footing. But if I am killed honourably, the event will be recorded in the books of Arabia and Hind, and will be talked of by great men, and will be heard of by other kings in the world, and it will be said that such and such a king sacrificed his precious life for the sake of his country, in fighting with the enemy.” [The Chachnama: Volume 1 (1900), P 115 — Translated from Persian by Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg]
Mokah Betrays Raja Dahir; Helps Muhammad bin Kasim Cross The Indus
When Raja Dahir learnt of Mokah’s defection to the Arab side, he advised his son Prince Jaisiah to proceed to Bet to protect the fort. Mokah’s brother Rasil and their father Basayeh were not on good terms with Mokah for quite some time and did not approve of Mokah’s defection to the Arabs. Rasil pledged his allegiance to Raja Dahir and along with his soldiers, rushed to the spot where Muhammad was linking the boats provided by Mokah for a makeshift bridge, to prevent the Arab army from crossing the river. Muhammad had to change the spot and move further away along the river to avoid Rasil’s troops to renew the process of linking the boats.
Eventually, Muhammad bin Kasim crossed the Indus with the help of the boats supplied by Mokah at a spot where the width of river was comparatively narrower. He linked all the boats next to each other along the western bank of the Indus in a line corresponding to the width of the river. He placed fully armed warriors on the boats and after securing the boats at one end, he shifted the entire block of boats from the other end till the head boat touched the eastern bank of the river. [The Chachnama: Volume 1 (1900), P 117 — Translated from Persian by Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg] The Arab army was thus able to cross the river by this makeshift bridge.
