The Palā Conquest of Sindh, led by the Pala emperor Dharmapāla, was the invasion of Sindh, a region under the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate, in the 8th century CE.
Pala Conquest of Sindh | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
Pala Empire |
Abbasid Caliphate Sind (caliphal province) | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Dharmapala | unknown | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
unknown | unknown |
In this particular era, the usage of the term 'yavana' is confined exclusively to the Arabs. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The Khalimpur inscription of Dharmapāla states that the Arabs of Sindh (referred to as the Yavanas in the inscription) were among the countries under his suzerainty. [1] [2] [5] [6]
According to Muslim records, even during the peak of their power, the Abbasids did not gain any significant progress during their expeditions in India. They were unable to expand their territorial control beyond Sindh and were also unsuccessful in securing their conquests in the region, which supports Dharmapāla's conquest against the Arabs in sindh. [7]
Despite their immense abilities and resources, the Abbasids were unable to solidify the Muslim power in Sindh, even with all their strength and resources. Arab chronicles acknowledge their lack of progress in conquering further regions of India. This is corroborated by Indian evidence indicating that Pala Emperor Dharmapāla exercised authority over the Yavanas ( Muslims). [1] [7]
The Khalimpur inscription of Dharmapāla claims that he had subjugated the Arab Chief of Sindh. [2] [3] [4] [5] [8]
The Muslim records which agree with this claim and confirm Dharmapāla's conquest of Sindh against the Arabs state that the Abbasids were unable to expand their territory beyond Sindh and were unsuccessful in securing their conquests in the region, thus confirming Dharmapāla's victory. [7]
Despite the Abbasids possessing unparalleled strength and resources, they were unable to solidify Muslim control in Sindh. The Arab records acknowledge their inability to continue their conquests in the region. [1] [7]
Even after the establishment of the Abbasid power, the Palas and the Pratiharas gained strength and were able to resist the aggressive Islamic authority. The Palas and the Pratiharas were able to successfully defend their regions against the Islamic forces, thus challenging their supremacy in the region. [1] [9]