The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c8.s7.1.1

c8.s7.1.1

Many causes contributed to the subjugation of Sindh. In the first place, the province was internally disunited and unable to resist a mighty invader like the Arabs. Its population was sparse and heterogenous. Besides the Hindus, who formed the bulk of the population, a considerable number consisted of Buddhists, and a fraction probably of Jains too. The lower orders of the society were badly treated. The Jats, the Meds and certain other castes were looked down upon and subjected to humiliation by the ruler, the court and the official class no less than by the higher caste people. They were not allowed to ride on saddled horses, to carry arms or to put on fine clothes. Owing to these circumstances social solidarity, the best guarantee of political independence, was conspicuously lacking. In the second place, the ruler and his government were unpopular and also inefficient in war and probably also in peace. Only a generation before Muhammad bin Qasim's invasion the throne of Sindh had been usurped by the hated Chach. His son, Dahir, was equally disliked. In fact, there was little sympathy between the people and their king. Dahir's governors were almost semi-independent princes and did not seem to have co-operated with him in the time of crisis. Owing to these causes many of Dahir's subjects, particularly the Buddhists and the traders, refused to fight on the plea that it was none of their business.