No Tombstone for the Hero?
By Anwaar Hussain
The text books that are taught to Pakistani children recount exploits of numerous past Muslim heroes in them. Standing tall amongst these heroes is one Arab by the name of Muhammad bin Qasim, born on 31 December 695 in the city of Taif in modern day Saudi Arabia.
Following are just some of the tokens of Pakistanis’ veneration for their hero.
He is sometimes called “the first Pakistani”. Port Qasim, Pakistan’s second major port is named in his honor. PNS Qasim is the name of a Pakistani Naval ship. Pakistan Army Aviation’s home base is called Qasim Base. Qasim is a fairly common first name for Pakistani male children. The day of Yom-e-Babul Islam is observed each year in Pakistan in memory of Muhammad bin Qasim.
Now let us see what we are told about this hero and what we are not.
We are told that Muhammad bin Qasim was an Umayyad general who conquered the Sindh and Punjab regions, now a part of Pakistan, along the Indus River. That at the tender age of just seventeen, he was sent by Caliph Al-Walid-I to lead an army towards South Asia to release Muslim women and children who were kidnapped by the Hindu Raja of the time. That it was due to his conquest of Sindh and Punjab that the era of Islamic rule in South Asia was first launched in real earnest. This much we are told. This much Pakistani children are supposed to memorize and be examined in.
What we are not told is that the kidnapping event of women and children, though a historical happening by itself, may have been only a part of the legend. That the Umayyad interest in the region may have stemmed more from their desire to control the trade route down the Indus River valley to the seaports of Sindh, an important link in the ancient Silk Road, than any thing else. That on certain earlier occasions too, they had unsuccessfully sought to gain control of the route, via the Khyber Pass, from the Turki-Shahis of Gandhara. That by taking Sindh, Gandhara’s southern neighbor, they were ultimately able to open a second front against the Gandhara.
We are also not told some of the other possible reasons for this campaign. That the locals of the region had targeted Sassanid shipping in the past, from the mouth of the Tigris to the Sri Lankan coast, from their bases at Kutch, Debal and Kathiawar. That the real reason of the campaign may have been purely economic in which the kidnapping of women and children was but one fateful act of these semi-nomadic tribes whose activities disturbed much of the Empire’s shipping trade in the Western Indian Ocean. That the kidnapping incident only provided a ‘just’ reason to the rising power of the Umayyad Caliphate to gain a foothold in the Makran, Baluchistan and Sindh regions–an area the Empire builders had been eyeing for a rather long time by then. That one other possible reason for the campaign could be the policy of the local tribes of providing refuge to Sassanid and Arab rebels who fled the Arab advance and the accompanied Umayyad persecution in a quest to consolidate their rule. This we are not told.
We are told that he treated most kindly his new subjects when he became their governor. What we are not told is that where resistance was strong, long-drawn-out and rigorous, Muhammad bin Qasim’s response was rather ruthless. By credible accounts, he inflicted 6,000 deaths at Rawar, between 6,000 and 26,000 at Brahmanabad, 4,000 at Iskalandah and 6,000 at Multan. And that he built many mosques upon the sites of razed Hindu temples.
We are told that his nemesis Raja Dahir was a cruel and unjust ruler and was involved in piracy. That he was the one that kidnapped and tortured the women and children and refused to recant. That he was an immoral man who married his own sister.
What we are not told is that Raja Dahir is also admired by many present day Sindhi Sunni and Shia Muslims. That he had given shelter in Sindh to a well-known follower of Imam Hussian, Muhammad Bin Allafi–a man much sought by the Umayyad in their deadly hunt for eliminating the last of the Ahl-e-Bait (Prophet Muhammad’s immediate family). That, according to some very believable sources, Dahir had even offered asylum to Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, who was being persecuted at home. That as a result of this offer, Hussain was on his way to Sindh when he was seized at Karbala in Iraq and killed most viciously. That according to G.M. Syed, the grand old man of Sindh, “the Sindhis weep for Hussain ibn Ali and they weep for Raja Dahir Sen.” This we are not told.
But above all what we are not told is the manner of this hero’s death and the events leading up to the occasion.
Chachnama is an authentic document that recounts the history of Sindh in great details. It tells of an intriguing yet widely believed tale of Muhammad bin Qasim’s death.
According to this account, when Raja Dahir was killed in the battlefield, his daughters were captured as war booty in the Islamic tradition. The Governor, Muhammad bin Qasim, then sent them as ‘presents’ to the Caliph of the time Khalifa Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, to become a part of his vast harem. According to the narration, the women tricked the Khalifa into believing that Muhammad bin Qasim had violated them before sending them on. The Khalifa got so incensed for having been sent ‘tainted’ gifts that he ordered Muhammad bin Qasim to be wrapped in oxen hides and returned to Syria, his exploits not withstanding. The journey resulted in his death from suffocation. This version attributes the women’s motive for the ploy to exacting vengeance for their father’s death. It also states that upon discovering the trick after the death of Muhammad bin Qasim, the Khalifa deeply repented his action and ordered the sisters buried alive in a wall as a punishment.
The Persian historian Baladhuri, however, states that the Khalifa Abd al-Malik was a political enemy of Umayyad governor Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, Muhammad bin Qasim’s paternal uncle. He persecuted all those who were considered close to Hajjaj after his death. Muhammad bin Qasim was therefore recalled in the midst of a campaign of capturing more territory up north. An honorable man, he reported to his Caliph despite his loyal friends dissuading him from it. Upon arrival, he was promptly imprisoned in Mosul, Iraq. Intensely cruel torture on him started immediately afterwards. So severe was this torture that Muhammad bin Qasim breathed his last during the most extreme of sessions one hot July afternoon.
Whichever account is true, we are told none of these.
Two facts, however, remain undisputed. He was 22 years old when he was killed by his own Caliph. None have read the tombstone marking his grave for none know where he lies.
X-X-X-X
Absolutely amazing story, and quite believable. The kidnapping of women and taking them as slaves and concubines is an established Islamic tradition most notably resurrected by the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Maal-e-ghanimat, if you will.
I read that in his battle over Raja Dahir’s forces, Mohammad bin Q coralled 400 male members of his immediate family and slaughtered them even though they were beaten and had laid down their arms. I have this book somewhere.
We Muslims have a history full of blood and gore. We have been just as bad as any others, but we are taught a sanitized history of untruths.
If the Christian crusades were murderous and gruesome, so were our own conquests full of treachery and massacre.
February 21st, 2010 at 5:36 pmIf faith makes people murderous…
February 21st, 2010 at 7:07 pmA delightful read…..
February 21st, 2010 at 8:40 pm[...] By Anwaar Hussain of Truth Spring [...]
February 21st, 2010 at 9:18 pmAhh, the underlying story of women and war. I have done quite a bit of research in this area to understand the possible treatment of American female P.O.W.s within a jurisprudential structure such as that administered by the Taliban, or any other group seeking guidance from Islamic jurisprudence.
Looking at the rules from the Abbasid Dynasty there was a stated adherence to the concept of istibra, if the woman is allotted to a man as a portion of the booty. One month, and then, allowable rape. If the woman becomes impregnated, the child becomes the possession of the father and the woman receives a status as Umm Walad. These thoughts, from the writings of Abu’l Hasan al-Mawardi. (d. 450 A.H.)
Speaking to a scholarly Muslim friend, it was confirmed that concubinage is allowable, but only during time of war. The changes in societal fabric produce secondary consequences to vulnerable women and children during time of war, for sure!
I disagree with a prior reader: “If faith makes people murderous…” A murderer will murder. A rapist will rape. Each man, accountable for his actions is stripped bare of faith, when the time comes for reasonable men to weigh in judgement.
Our own corpus juris is the UCMJ which addresses all actions, including lesser included offences (LIO’s) when bringing court martial against our own “tribe”. Faith, is not a consideration. Evidence and eye-witness, manage the stage.
Excellent piece, Anwaar.
LCDR Tammy Swofford, USNR, NC
February 21st, 2010 at 11:22 pmAnwaar,
Had to post quickly and I am reminded of a question. Will you please identify the art work used for this piece? It is lovely.
R/Tammy
February 22nd, 2010 at 3:27 amAh yes history, always written by the victors, always leaving out the negative, at least until modern times, but I have a feeling that Vietnam, Iraq 1 & 2, Afghanistan et all will end up sanitized in the not to distant future!
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 amDear scribe,
As you wrote “Two facts, however, remain undisputed”.
1.” He was 17 years old” when Bin Qasim was given the command of an Army. Wikkipidia also gives a map of conqured lands. At 17 he was commanding an army where everybody was above 17. As a student of military history what are your comments about this military genius? Can you also compare him with any successful military commander in the human history who was about his age?
2. No Tombstone for the Hero? Well I think heros dont need a tombstone, they are in your heart. After all Saddam etc , Bhutto and his daughter all have tombstones, and Zardari will also have a big tombstone written”in the bottom of this grave lies a big big man” but forgotten for ever.
imza
tombstone
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:04 amThe more things change the more they stay the same.
As today. Lie for the reasons that the young should go to die, whilst the leaders stay far behind to contemplate the riches they’ll inherit.
Women will weep and women shall wail. It is has always been their lot to suffer for men’s endeavours.
No race nor culture is exempt from the pain and loss brought to others, so often in the name of a religion, which with duplicitous thought, condemns and condones the same actions.
Today. Leaders, both temporal and political, quote the same justifying excuses for unjust causes, condemning in others for the acts condoned in their own.
Jon…. Afghanistan and Vietnam, along with WW2, Malaysia, Palestine, and so many others are already “Sanitised.” The truth, along with the lies, will die with the memories of the participants.
Great piece Anwaar. But would expect no less.
Tom Edgar. AUSTRALIA
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:39 amI will take Imza’s call.
Imza seems to have missed the whole point of the article. The author hasn’t questioned the military genius of the young MBQ nor has he requested for a tombstone for the dead hero. He has just highlighted the rape of history. Imza needs to read the article once more.
And yes, the military genius can be easily compared both in prowess and in the age of the genius where imza’s favorite MBQ may fall short. Imza forgets Alexander the Great.
At the age of just eighteen he led the Macedonian cavalry in a victorious charge which won the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. Soon thereafter, Alexander fought his way to reach northern Syria where he encountered a large Persian force commanded by King Darius III. He routed him in the subsequent Battle of Issus in 333 BC. Darius fled before the battle ended. In 330 BC. Alexander forced his way into Persia, occupying its capital, Persepolis. In the spring of that same year, he marched north to Ecbatane against Darius, who was killed by his own officers as he fled to the Persian province of Bacteria, north of the Hindu Kush Mountains. Alexander was now king of Persia, but he had to secure his title by the conquest of the remaining Persian provinces which lay eastward to the Indus River. Between 330 and 325 BC. Alexander campaigned across modern Afghanistan and Turkestan and eventually penetrating India. He had taken almost half the world when his soldiers refused to proceed further east, Alexander returned to Babylon in 325 BC.
Compare that with MBQ’s taking of Sindh Imza. U will have to take the blinds off for that.
By no tombstone the author meant only to tell the reader yet again that just because MBQ, a great hero that he was, was killed by his own Amir-ul-Momineen in most dubious and vicious circumstance, his death and its manner is not even told in Pakistani text books. This is called a rape of history Imza. But again one has to take off the blinds to see this rape.
Upto it Imza?
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 amRe:Imza,
Thanks for commenting Imza. And thank you Crossbow for taking Imza’s call.
I think Crossbow has spoken what mostly I wanted to say. I will just add that Imza’s argument is like a Texas Longhorn i.e. a point here, a point there and a whole lot of bull in between.
Regards,
Anwaar
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:16 amAnwaar,
An excellent narrative.Skimming through history, you uncovered some untruths recently cocooned by the likes of Shibli Nomani in an effort to,as you put it aptly, ’sanitize’ history.
We don’t need to taint history if we understand that passing contemporary moral judgments on historical facts may not be appropriate, as it would indeed be out of context.There are of course some universal moral standards, applicable for all times and occasions, but even in that case, tainting an immoral act makes it all the same more sinful, be it Hannibal, Alexander, Muhammed Bin Qasim,or First or Second World Wars, or Vietnam.
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:46 pmRe:Imza
We may be able to judge MBQ’s leadership qualities if we knew that he were not a mere representative of the then high and mighty Hajjaj Bin Yousaf, or he did not have senior advisers around him to make decisions for him.
Of course one doesn’t need tombstones for heroes; but one does need factual information about them.
Anwaar, while replying to Imza, I hope you did not miss out any word in your last sentence.
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:26 pmRe: Pervaiz Alam
Naa, I said exactly what I wanted to say in my Re:Imza, not a word missing. Smiles.
Anwaar
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:24 pmRegarding history, it is necessary to search for primary source documentation if available. Revision of historical fact is a hobby for the deceptive. In the end, history should be our teacher. From it we learn valuable lessons and to defraud a generation of students by manipulating facts for sake of agenda is sad indeed.
A favored writer for me is Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy. What a brain inside of that head! He writes quite succinctly on the pitfalls of the public educational system in Pakistan, what is presented in lower level classroom environments. Naturally, we have some of the same bull, in our educational system.
*Anwaar, regarding Texas Longhorns, the Fort Worth Livestock Show and rodeo is a good place to contemplate a bit of bull.
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:05 pmdear readers and scribe,
it seems people cant seem to absorb cricisim (logical and illogical) to any of the writings by anwaar.
No tombstone did not and will not open eyes of Pakistanis. Since its title is offending by itself. Do you think Pakistani govt will start changing names of ports/ships etc because MBQ was wrongly labled as hero or will change school history books. Will it?
As far as end of MBQ, no class of children in any school stops without asking what happened in the end? Which they are told even if its not written in the school books.
Rest all is available on the net, reproducing wikkipedia is easy.
imza
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:00 pmFalling in love with you and your write ups…….oops…Take care
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:05 pmRe:Imza
But your criticism too is being published Imza.
In my opinion, Wikipedia is the 3rd most important thing that has happened to the human species in the modern age. The first two are the internet and Google. Wikipedia didn’t criticize the government of Pakistan for teaching selective history–the scribe did. Wikipedia just gives the facts. Merely reproducing it, as you suggest, will serve no purpose.
Perhaps Imza too could use these sources to make his point.
Anwaar
February 24th, 2010 at 4:02 amMissing in the discussion are the statistics regarding Pakistan’s children and their competitiveness on the world stage in math, science and the classics of literature. The best on your library shelves or the best on our own – the reading will suffice to stimulate thought.
There is a move among charter and private schools in the U.S. to present what is termed a “classical education” which maintains a focus on the three-legged educational stool, minimizing the remainder. When studying heroes, these kids won’t focus on George Washington chopping down the cherry tree or Thomas Jefferson’s mistress. They will focus on absorbing principles of governance as expressed by our Founding Fathers, how to solve difficult math equations and create chemical reactions in the lab, master basic physics.
This grassroots movement is a reaction against our own dismal public school system which is embedded with “educators” whom studies have shown performed poorly on their own college entrance exams. Hey! Can’t make the top ten percentile? Choose to educate the next generation! smile In Texas, the public school system is a sacred cow, carefully guarded by its herders. We are losing our competitive edge.
On a happy note, an article was in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram today with a photo of Dr. Farhan Ali and Dr. Nasim Ahktar displaying a new heart pump device. Men such as these are the success story of education. But the gaps must be narrowed between the educated elite and the functionally illiterate poor.
Tammy Swofford
February 24th, 2010 at 6:34 pmPakistan inculcates in its children the Mohammad-bin-Kasim’s-bootlickers syndrome.
Pakistanis are descendants of hindus and are hindus (=inhabitants of the Sindhu river basin), but islam teaches them to glorify those who attacked, killed, plundered, raped their hindu ancestors.
When will pakistanis think over this, when will they be allowed to think over this? When will they be taught also the hindu experience of history?
February 25th, 2010 at 3:16 pmafter having gone through the article i dont know sir why i smell that the message conveyed is either muhammad bin qasim was not hero or SIR THE GREAT RAJA DAHIR WAS THE GREATEST HERO and helper well we are becoming more loyal than the king i think we should recognize the heroes rather than raising such disputes, how truthfull hindus, jews and christians are about thier histories we all know about that fabrication, so who knows what ever mentioned is true or not any ways it was interesting.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:42 pmAnwaar sahab!
Interesting article – obviously I was not much aware of Mr. Qasim / his achievements / his standing in Pak!
Reminds me of a report I had read about some Afghans taking objections to Pakistan naming missiles after their greats! J
But what you mention also, to me appears as one of the most important problems of Pak. For some reason, the country wants to disown its own history – and adopt what a few (maybe many) thinkers felt will give the country a better future… or maybe they just wanted a better past!
If a human behaves the way Pak has done, he would promptly be sent to a mental asylum.
I have read people claiming that Pakistan was the oldest civilization – which is true, but one also needs to accept that Pakistan is a very new idea compared to Indus valley!
My generation (born 20+ years after independence) in India does not have any ambitions of an akhand bharat, etc. neither do we get emotional about partition – we have moved on. I wonder when will the Pakistani public move? More balanced & sensible articles from people like you will certainly help, but you seriously need more company!
Good luck! And thanks!
Suhas
February 26th, 2010 at 9:02 amTruth Spring means the spring from which truth comes. Have a look:
What we are not told is that where resistance was strong, long-drawn-out and rigorous, Muhammad bin Qasim’s response was rather ruthless. By credible accounts, he inflicted 6,000 deaths at Rawar, between 6,000 and 26,000 at Brahmanabad, 4,000 at Iskalandah and 6,000 at Multan. And that he built many mosques upon the sites of razed Hindu temples.
In here “where resistance was strong, long-drawn-out and rigorous” is known as verbal make-up (or leepa poti).
You people believe in wrong leaders. Qasim was no hero and was a tyrant. You take the deeds of all the Muslim leaders so lightly viz. killing of people as mass murders, sending women to Arabia and breaking temples to build mosques over them.
So, is that the reason why you call him the first Pakistani ? I should have been really ashamed of this article, if I would have been at your place. But, I am not that unlucky.
Talking about Pakistan being the oldest civilization is sheer bullshit as Indus Valley civilization existed long before people could speak correctly in Arabia. The Maths, Science and Astrology that people practice was mostly developed by Indians as Aryabhatt the great.
The problem that I see is we humans need a stand. You find that in the tyrants as Muhammad Bin Qasim (he deserved to die like that due to his deeds…..remember whatever we do, we payback for that in the two worlds…and history repeats itself). We find it in the truth, obviously an irony that we people live in. Why don’t you create a detailed article on what the Pak Army did in 1971 in East Pakistan. Stick to the word TRUTH SPRING. No fabrication, if you need to know true history about your lands, let me know. Every single word will be nothing but 100% truth.
By the way, you people keep venting out on Israel and Zionism. Compare them to what the creation of Pakistan has done to the India of 1947. Israel is a great nation and they existed long before any muslim on this planet known as earth arrive. You people are the most vicious killers from the time of your origin (not talking of your Hindu ancestory). Whereever you went you spread bloodshed and killing of innocent people. Do you know why ? Because that is the sole message of your civilization and that is not of Indus (The name India came from that civilization of ours). You people feel so insecure that you put the virtues of false supremacy in your kids and youngsters at a very nascent stage. If you feel that you are so talented then build something on your own (viz. homemade satellites, missiles, language, script and more). Always remember that the God never forgives the one who is not ethical and spreads the false propaganda. You people have great skills in terms of learning languages and computing (we Indians still appreciate the positives….even after 47,61,65 and Kargil). Why don’t you try to be someone like Dara Shiko, one decent guy among you people. Belong to the lands you take birth on. You feel much better. i know that this post will create controversies and will be deleted. Think about the meaning of your country’s name and what you people are doing. Now, globally viz. funding the 9/11, attack on Indians in Afghanistan. I wonder how you people justify your acts to your inner self.
Nahush
April 22nd, 2010 at 4:49 pmThe atrocities carried out by Muslim barbarians at both battle of Karbala and battle of Sindh have fairly common denominator, similar proceedings and similar practices of war. Both raids were ordered by Hajjaj-bin-Yousuf, the worst of all Muslim-monsters. What Muhammad bin Qasim and his fellow monsters did with Sindhis is nothing different to what was done to Imam Hussain in Karbala.
P.S.: I am local Sindhi and Raja Dahir is my hero.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:05 pm