A History of Agriculture in India v2.c63.s1.4

v2.c63.s1.4

Why he chose to attack India is thus described in his autobiography. 'About this time there arose in my heart the desire to lead an expedition against the infidels, and to become a ghazi; for it had reached my ears that the slayer of infidels is a ghazi and if he is slain he becomes a martyr. It was on this account that I formed this resolution, but I was undetermined in my mind whether I should direct my expedition against the infidels of China or against the infidels and polytheists of India. In this matter I sought an omen from the Kuran, and the verse I opened upon was this, "O' Prophet, make war upon infidels and unbelievers, and treat them with severity."