Draft:Arab expedition to Kikan
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The Arab expedition to Kikan was a military expedition towards the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly targeting the region of Kikan[1]
| Battle of Kikan | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Umayyad campaigns in India | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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Rashidun Caliphate Umayyad Caliphate | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Al-Muhallab ibn Abi Sufra[2] Haras †[2] | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Heavy | ||||||
Battle
[edit]First expedition
[edit]During the caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib (656–661 CE), the Rashidun Caliphate launched a military expedition towards the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent, particularly targeting the region of Kikan (also referred to as Kikanān). This campaign, conducted around 660 CE, involved a large contingent of Muslim forces, including prominent nobles and chiefs. Kikān, located in the hilly areas surrounding the Bolan Pass, was noted by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang as a region inhabited by pastoral communities living in isolated clans without a centralized governing authority. However, according to the Chach Nama, Kikān was considered part of Sindh, falling under the direct administration of the king of Sindh.[1]
The Muslim forces advanced deep into Kikan without encountering major resistance initially. However, the local population, known for their resilience and fierce independence, eventually mounted a significant defense. In 663 CE, a decisive battle ensued where the people of Kikan inflicted heavy casualties on the invading Muslim army.[3][4] The Muslim commander was killed, and only a few of his followers managed to escape the battlefield. This defeat temporarily halted further Arab advances into the region.[1]
Later Expedition
[edit]Chach Nama reports that the Jats of Kikan at the Bolan Pass inflicted a decisive defeat on Muslim forces, killing their commander Haras and forcing a total retreat of invading Muslim forces. This significant setback prompted six subsequent Muslim expeditions over twenty years, five of which failed to establish any lasting presence in Sindh. The Jats' formidable defense, leveraging their mountain terrain, effectively halted Muslim advances into India for two centuries[3][1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d R. C. Majumdar, General Editor (1970). History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 03, The Classical Age. Public Resource. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 169.
{{cite book}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ a b Balakrishna, Sandeep (2020-11-28). Invaders and Infidels (Book 1): From Sindh to Delhi: The 500-Year Journey of Islamic Invasions. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-90077-22-9.
- ^ a b Barve, Shashikant V. (1995). Introduction to Classical Arabic: A Contribution to Islamic and Oriental Studies. S.V. Barve.
- ^ Journal of Indian History. Department of Modern Indian History. 1965.