The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.86.2

v1.c11.86.2

The kings of the Gurjaras (Jurz) we have already seen were unfriendly to the Arabs even as early as the first quarter of the 8th century A.D.³ When the merchant Sulaymān visited India in the middle of the 9th century A.D., they were regarded as the greatest foes of the Muḥammadan faith in India.⁴ Their power had by the last quarter of the 9th century spread over a large portion of Northern India, including portions of the eastern Punjab.⁵ But the policy of hostility to the Arabs handed down by earlier rulers was apparently continued by their successors and at the time of Mas'ūdī, their 'army of the North' waged incessant war 'against the Arab prince of Multan, and with the Musulmans, his subjects on the frontier.'¹ In this struggle, the temple of Multan appears to have played an important part. It is conceivable that but for this advantage the Arab principality of Multan would have fallen a victim to the mighty army of the Gurjara-Pratīhāras. In the middle of the 10th century however the Amirs of Multan appear to have secured some success over their enemies, for we are told by Mas'ūdī that a city which was called Ba'ūrah (Pratīhāra?) after the designation of the princes of Kanauj was at his time 'in the territories of Islam,' and 'was one of the dependencies of Multan.' It is difficult to locate this town;