Muslim Invasions in India Medieval History for SSC CGL and CHSL

Muslim invasions in India form a crucial part of the Indian history syllabus for competitive exams like SSC CGL and CHSL. This period marks the beginning of significant political, military, and cultural changes, starting from the Arab conquest of Sindh to the foundation of permanent Muslim rule in North India. Understanding the objectives, strategies, and outcomes of invasions led by rulers such as Muhammad bin Qasim, Mahmud of Ghazni, and Muhammad Ghori helps aspirants clearly differentiate between plunder-driven raids and empire-building campaigns, which is essential for both prelims and mains preparation.

Muslim Invasions in Medieval India: Early Invasions and Legacies

Medieval Indian History encompasses significant transformations, marked by various invasions that shaped the political, social, and cultural landscape of the Subcontinent. Here we look into the key figures and events surrounding the early Muslim invasions, from the Arab conquest of Sindh to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate. We will explore the distinct objectives and impacts of rulers like Muhammad bin Qasim, Mahmud of Ghazni, and Muhammad Ghori.

Muhammad Ghori: Conquests and Foundation of Muslim Rule

Muhammad Ghori, a ruler from the Ghurid dynasty, played a crucial role in establishing permanent Muslim invasions in India. He died in the year 1206. His campaigns were marked by both victories and defeats, ultimately paving the way for the Delhi Sultanate.

Muhammad Ghori's Major Campaigns in India

• 1175: First attack on Multan, a successful campaign in the Punjab region. This made Punjab the first region to come under his control.

• 1178: Attack on Gujarat, where he was defeated by the Solanki king, Bhima II. This was a significant early defeat, and Ghori did not attempt to invade Gujarat again.

• 1191: First Battle of Tarain, where he was defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan (Prithviraj III).

• 1192: Second Battle of Tarain, where he was victorious against Prithviraj Chauhan.

• 1194: Battle of Chandawar, where he was victorious against Jayachand, the King of Kannauj.

Unlike Mahmud of Ghazni, Ghori's objective was conquest and governance, not just plunder. After his victories, he established the foundations of Muslim Invasions in India. He entrusted the administration of conquered territories to his trusted slave generals:

• Qubacha was appointed in Sindh.

• Qutubuddin Aibak was appointed in Delhi and Lahore.

• Bakhtiyar Khilji was tasked with the conquest of Bengal.

Mahmud of Ghazni: The Raider

Mahmud of Ghazni conducted 17 attacks on India, primarily driven by economic objectives. He was a raider, not an empire-builder in India, whose sole purpose was to plunder India's wealth and acquire splendor. He would invade, loot, and return to Ghazni, never establishing any permanent administration or rule. The speaker emphasizes him as a "looter."

Key Facts about Mahmud of Ghazni

• Total Invasions: 17

• Father's Name: Subuktigin

• Most Significant Raid: Attack on the Somnath temple in 1025. During this invasion, the ruler of Gujarat was Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. Bhimdev I was defeated, but his wife, Queen Udaymati, built the Rani ki Vav (Queen's Stepwell), a UNESCO World Heritage Site depicted on the ₹100 note.

• Kannauj Invasion: When Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Kannauj, the ruling Indian king was Rajyapala. Rajyapala fled, and a union of Rajput rulers later executed him for his perceived cowardice.

• Last Attack: 1027, against the Jats.

• Death: 1030.

Historians and Scholars of Mahmud of Ghazni's Court

The historian Al-Biruni provided a detailed account of Mahmud of Ghazni's invasions in his book Tahqiq-i-Hind (also known as Kitab-ul-Hind), which describes the 17 invasions.

Other Notable Scholars in Mahmud of Ghazni's Court:

• Firdausi: Author of the Shahnameh.

• Utbi

• Bayhaqi

The First Muslim Invader: Muhammad bin Qasim

The first Muslim invader of India was Muhammad bin Qasim. In 712 AD, he led an Arab army into Sindh and defeated the local ruler, Raja Dahir. The capital of Sindh at that time was Aror (also known as Rawar), as documented in the Chachnama, a historical account named after Raja Dahir's father, Chach. The invasion was orchestrated under the Umayyad Caliphate, with Caliph Wasil and his governor Al-Hajjaj dispatching Muhammad bin Qasim. Notably, Raja Dahir had previously repelled two Arab commanders, Ubaidullah and Budail, before Qasim's successful invasion.

Notable Rulers, Dynasties, and Architectural Feats

Medieval India witnessed the rise of powerful regional dynasties that not only shaped political history but also left a lasting cultural and architectural legacy. Several rulers patronised learning, religion, and monumental architecture, resulting in universities, temples, forts, and cities that remain historically significant even today.

Bhoja Paramara: The Scholar King

Bhoja Paramara was a legendary king of the Paramara dynasty, ruling from Dhara in the Malwa region. He was celebrated as a great patron of arts and learning and was famously known by the title Kaviraj (King of Poets). A famous Sanskrit eulogy states that upon his death, the goddess of learning, Saraswati, became "supportless." He is credited with authoring 84 treatises, including the renowned work on architecture, Samarangana Sutradhara. He also commissioned the Vagdevi (Saraswati) temple in Dhar, the Bhojtal in Bhopal (a large lake, now a Ramsar site), and the Bhojeshwar temple in Bhojpur.

Chandela Rulers and Khajuraho

The temples at Khajuraho were built by the Chandela rulers. King Dhangadeva was a key patron among them. These temples, including the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple which houses a massive Nandi statue, are prime examples of the Nagara style of temple architecture characteristic of North India. The Khajuraho temple complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The Chandela dynasty also built the impregnable fort of Kalinjar in the Bundelkhand region.

Other Significant Sites and Founders

• Odantapuri University: Founded by Gopala, the founder of the Pala Dynasty in Bengal. Located in modern-day Bihar.

• Vikramshila University: Founded by Dharmapala, son of Gopala and also a Pala king. Established between 775-800 AD in Bihar. The Pala Dynasty was involved in the Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj.

• Ajmer: Founded by Ajayapala, who established the Ajayameru fort on the Aravalli hills. Today, Ajmer is known for the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

• Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra: Originally a Sanskrit school built by the Chauhan king Vigraharaja IV in Ajmer. It was later converted into a mosque by Qutubuddin Aibak. Parts of the Sanskrit drama Harikeli Natak, written by Vigraharaja IV himself, are inscribed on its walls.

• Dilwara Temple: Located on Mount Abu in Rajasthan. This famous Jain temple was built by Vimal Shah, a minister in the court of a Solanki king.

• Delhi (Dhillika): Originally known as Dhillika, it was founded by the Tomara dynasty, specifically by the Tomar king Anangpal in approximately 736 AD.

Literary Contributions: Prithviraj Raso

The Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem detailing the life of Prithviraj Chauhan, was written by his court poet and close friend, Chand Bardai. This work is a major source for the accounts of Prithviraj's battles with Muhammad Ghori. Another significant text, Prithviraj Vijaya, was authored by Jayanaka.

Jayadeva, the composer of 'Gita Govinda', was a court poet for King Lakshmana Sena of the Sena Dynasty in Bengal, whose capital was Lakhnauti.