There is a sharp difference of opinion among the historians on the issue of the effect of Arab invasion of Sindh. The Indian historians opine that in no way had this invasion affected India. No doubt, the Arab victors ruled over Sindh and Multan for a long time but they could not do anything more than this.
Lanepoole has remarked, “The Arab invasion of Sindh was an episode in the history of India and Islam, it was a triumph without result.” Just contrary to this opinion Colonel Tod has written that this invasion deeply affected India. It created havoc in entire India and the Arabs reached up to Chittor in Rajputana.
But both the above-quoted opinions are nothing more than exaggerations of facts. Modern researchers have proved that the Arabs could never reach Chittor and except Sindh no other part of India could be affected as the culture of India was superior to that of the Arabs.
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The opinion of Lanepoole can also not be accepted as true because from political point of view the victory of Sindh had significant consequences. Sindh remained under the prolonged rule of the Muslims after this victory and as a result of it several Arab travellers, merchants and religious preachers visited India constantly. It also helped Turks in achieving success in India and the Arabs established their colonies in Mansura, Multan and some other significant places.
We may say that there was no political effect of the Arab invasion on Sindh but its cultural effect cannot be under-estimated. Lanepoole has remarked in this context, “The Arab conquest of Sindh, from the political point of view, was an insignificant event but the effects of this conquest upon Muslim culture were profound and far-reaching.”
In this way, we conclude that the Arabs were immensely affected by culture and civilization of India and as a result of their victory over Sindh; they came in contact with the people of India.
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They greatly praised the Indian scholars, philosophers, artists, musicians and masons. The Arabs also learnt much in the field of philosophy, science, medicine and astrology from the Indian scholars. They also received practical administrative knowledge from the people of India. The Arabs also took advantage of the expert guidance of the Indian craftsmen and got built several mosques with their help.
Caliph Harun-al-RasJud (786—809) A.D. was a great lover of Indian culture. He honoured the Indian scholars, invited several Indian scholars to Baghdad and got translated various books in Arabic with their help.
Indian Medical Officers were appointed in the hospital of the Caliph. Charak Samhila was also translated into Arabic during this period. Many scholars of Arabia visited India and learnt various principles of mathematics from Indian scholars.
Thus besides helping the exchange of ideas, the to-and-fro journey of the scholars facilitated the dissemination of the seeds of Indian culture in foreign land. The Arabs acquired from the Hindus some new knowledge and carried it not only to their own Land but also to Europe.
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Partly, India was also influenced by the Arabs. With the commencement of a new religion of Islam, the people of oppressed lower classes felt attracted and embraced Islam as there was no caste system or untouchability in Islam. Thus the seed of Islam was sown in India with the Arab conquest of Sindh. Dr. Srivastava has also remarked, “The Arab conquest of Sindh was destined to sow the seed of Islam in this land.”
Thus the cultural influence of this invasion proved permanent. It may be an episode from the political point of view but in was an event of great importance from cultural point of view.
Partly, India was also influenced by the Arabs. With the commencement of a new religion of Islam, the people of opposed lower classes felt attracted and embraced Islam as there was no caste system or untouchability in Islam. Thus the seed of Islam was sown in India with the Arab conquest of Sindh. Dr. Srivastava has also remarked, “The Arab conquest of Sindh was destined to sow the seed of Islam in this land”.
Thus the cultural influence of this invasion proved permanent. It may be an episode from the political point of view but in was an event of great importance from cultural point of view.