History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c33.s7.9

v3.c33.s7.9

The employment of Hindu soldiers and generals, even on occasions of trust, shows that Hindus had already risen to posts of responsibility under the Moslem rulers of Ghazni. Their great bravery is extolled even by Moslem writers. This employment of Hindu soldiers began in the days of Mahmud himself. Indeed Jaipal maintained a force of 2000 Hindus at Ghazni for some years and Elliot himself thought it curious that Hindu soldiers should serve as mercenaries under their bitterest persecutors ( E. II. p. 448 ). But considering the religious and political apathy of the Hindus described before, one need not wonder that Hindus have always accepted service under foreign governments and have always sought and obtained distinction by loyalty and efficiency. This early credit gained by the Hindus is noted by Elliot who mentions several instances of their employment by their bitterest persecutors such as that of Sawandrai employed by Masa'ud against the nobles who opposed his accession ( Sawand with his soldiers was killed in the battle ) or Bijai Rai, a general employed even by Mahmud and called again by Masa'ud's successors ( Elliot II. p. 60 ). This instance of Jats killing Nialtagin shows the loyal service performed by Jat subjects for their king.