The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c33.48

c33.48

The conquest of Sind by Muhammad son of Kāsim, early in the eighth century, firmly established the political predominance of Islam in that province, which was separated from India proper by the 'lost river', the Hakrā or Wahindah. The Gurjara kingdom of Bhinmāl to the east of that river was united with that of Kanauj from the beginning of the ninth century, and maintained relations of chronic hostility with its Muslim neighbours on the west of the great stream. But the Rāshtrakūta princes found their interest to lie in the pursuit of a different policy, and kept up friendly intercourse with the Arabs, while continually engaged in war with the Gurjaras. In consequence of this policy many Muhammadan merchants and travellers visited the western region of India, of whom some, beginning with the merchant Sulaiman in the middle of the ninth century, have left a record of their observations. All these writers agree in stating that they regarded the Balharā as the greatest sovereign in India. They called the Rāshtrakūta kings ‘Balharā’ because those princes were in the habit of assuming the title Vallabha (‘Beloved,’ *Bien aimé*), which, in combination with the word Rāi (prince), was easily corrupted into the form of Balharā.¹ The tribute of honour paid to the Rāshtrakūta kings by their Muhammadan visitors was justified by the achievements of their period. Although the art displayed at Ellora may not be of the highest kind, the Kailāsa temple is one of the wonders of the world, a work of which any nation might be proud, and an honour to the king under whose patronage it was executed. Many other temples were the outcome of the royal munificence, and Sanskrit literature of the artificial type then in fashion was liberally encouraged.