The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.161.1

v1.c11.161.1

The extracts quoted above give us some idea of our difficulties. But we can at once reject the suggestion that the Sūmras were Arabs. ‘This fictitious genealogy was assumed by them when the majority of the tribe were converted to Islam, and as the name Samāra offered a sufficiently specious resemblance that town was adopted as the probable seat of their origin, though it was not built till after the supposed period of their emigration.’⁴ Both Elphinstone and Elliot regard them as Rajput in origin.⁵ According to the latter “the Sūmras of the desert are one of the sub-divisions of the Parmāra Rajputs, and frequently combining with their brethren the ‘Umars, gave name to a large tract of country, which is even still recognised as Umra-Sūmra, and within which Alor is situated.” Tod in his *Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan* remarks: “Umars and Sumras are from the Pramar or Puar race, and are now chiefly in the ranks of the faithful, though a few are to be found in Jaisalmir and in the *thal* called after them.”⁶ These statements are supported by Mīr Ṭāhir, who in the 17th century was familiar with the tradition that the Sūmras were Hindus.¹ As to the probable period of their rise we have to depend upon Mīr Ma‘ṣūmī and Muḥammad Yūsuf.