Chach of Alor
Encyclopedia
Chach is the name of the Brahmin
Chamberlain
and Secretary to Rai Sahasi the Second, of the Rai Dynasty
who succeeded him to the throne of Sindh
. The history of Chach is related in the Chach Nama
as part of the history of Sind. Several places along the Sindhu river are named after the adored king. For example, there are Chachpur, Chachar, Chachro, Chachgaon, Chachi.
Chach was a Brahmin
who rose to a position of influence under the Rai
Sahasi of the Rai Dynasty
of Sindh
as both Chamberlain and Secretary. Incensced, the Rana
Maharath, the King of Chittor, who was the brother Rai Sahasi then claimed the throne and attacked Chach but the Rana was killed by strategem, in the war in 640
.
Chach then enlisted his brother Chandra to help him administer the realm and set off with an army to bring the rest of the realm under his control. He is reported to have fought battles at Babiah on the south bank of the River Beas, at Iskandah and at Sikkah where "Chach Rai took possession of the fort (of Sikkah), and killed 5,000 warlike men who were in it, and made the other residents of the town prisoners, and secured a large booty and a great number of slaves." After which he appointed a Thakur
at Multan
and rode unopposed to settle his boundary with Kashmir
. During his campaigns, Chach defeated and subjugated the Siwistani chief Matta
.
Later he expanded his rule subduing neighbouring Buddhist regions across the Indus River
culminating in a battle at Brahmanabad
, killing Buddhist Governor of Brahmanabad, Agham Lohana
. He stayed there for a year cementing his control by various means such as:
He further placed upon the Jat and Lohana restrictions such as:
From there he then marched into Sassanid territory the town of Armanbelah, and through Turan
to Kandahar
from where he exacted tribute before returning.
In the 35th year of the reign of the Raja Sahasi Rai II, 636
, the Chach Nama reports the repulsion of an Arab raid on Debal
and Thana. The raid was meant for the purpose of looting the coastal cities and were not actually permitted by the Caliph Umar
, who later dismissed the governor of Bahrain
due to his independent act of raiding with out permission from caliphate. It was under Mughaira bin A's, who died in this battle at Debal
.
In 644
, after Conquering Persian Empire, Rashidun army
entered makran
and defeated the army of Raja Sahasi Rai II in a decisive Battle of Rasil
, and annexed Makran and eastern Balochistan
. Caliph Umar
(634-644) however for the time being, disapproved of any incursion beyond the Indus river
and ordered his commander to consolidate their position west of indus. During the reign of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (644-656) Muslims captured Qanzabil, a main military garrison of Rai dynasty in northern Sindh
and until 662
, when during Ummayad Caliphate it was retaken by Rai kingdom, it served as eastern most garrison town of Rashidun army
.
Chandar
Chandra
(671-679) succeeded by his brother.
Chandar, the Buddhist ascetic had to also defend his realm from the King Siharas
of Kannauj
and after a protracted siege of the capital Aror, the Siharas was captured during a conflict at a parley and peace concluded by means of hostages. Chandra was reputed to have ruled for 8 years.
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
and Secretary to Rai Sahasi the Second, of the Rai Dynasty
Rai Dynasty
The Rai Dynasty was an Aryan dynasty of Sindh, from c. 489–690 AD. The influence of the Rai empire extended from Kashmir in the east, Makran and Debal port in the west, Surat port in south, Kandahar, Sistan, Suleyman, Ferdan and Kikanan hills in the north, ruling an area of over 600,000...
who succeeded him to the throne of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. The history of Chach is related in the Chach Nama
Chach Nama
Chach Nama also known as the Fateh nama Sindh ,and also known as Tarekh-e-Hind wa Sindh Arabic is a book about the history of Sindh, chronicling the Chacha Dynasty's period, following the demise of the Rai Dynasty and the ascent of Chach of Alor to the throne, down to the Arab conquest by...
as part of the history of Sind. Several places along the Sindhu river are named after the adored king. For example, there are Chachpur, Chachar, Chachro, Chachgaon, Chachi.
Rise to Power
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
who rose to a position of influence under the Rai
Rai (Indian)
Rai is a title of honour in India and is also used as a surname mainly by Rajput, Jat of North India and Bunts of coastal Karnataka and Kerala in south India.It is also used as a surname by Bhumihar of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.It is derived from Raja and the Marathi/Telugu variant is Rao, while...
Sahasi of the Rai Dynasty
Rai Dynasty
The Rai Dynasty was an Aryan dynasty of Sindh, from c. 489–690 AD. The influence of the Rai empire extended from Kashmir in the east, Makran and Debal port in the west, Surat port in south, Kandahar, Sistan, Suleyman, Ferdan and Kikanan hills in the north, ruling an area of over 600,000...
of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
as both Chamberlain and Secretary. Incensced, the Rana
Rana (title)
Rana is a Princely title of Royalty in Sanskrit. Rana is used by the Jats and Rajput of South Asia. The name is usually interpreted to mean "Prince".Compound titles Rana Sahib, Rana Bahadur, and Maharana.-Royal title in India:...
Maharath, the King of Chittor, who was the brother Rai Sahasi then claimed the throne and attacked Chach but the Rana was killed by strategem, in the war in 640
640
Year 640 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 640 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Tulga succeeds his father Suinthila as king...
.
Chach then enlisted his brother Chandra to help him administer the realm and set off with an army to bring the rest of the realm under his control. He is reported to have fought battles at Babiah on the south bank of the River Beas, at Iskandah and at Sikkah where "Chach Rai took possession of the fort (of Sikkah), and killed 5,000 warlike men who were in it, and made the other residents of the town prisoners, and secured a large booty and a great number of slaves." After which he appointed a Thakur
Thakur (Indian title)
Thakur is an Indian feudal title in several Indian languages, literally meaning "lord". A Thikana is the state or estate of a Thakur. A Thakurani is the wife of a Thakur...
at Multan
Multan
Multan , is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province on the east bank of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic centre of the country and about from Islamabad, from Lahore and from Karachi...
and rode unopposed to settle his boundary with Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
. During his campaigns, Chach defeated and subjugated the Siwistani chief Matta
Matta (chief)
Mahattah, or Matta, was the Rajput chief and later feudatory of Siwistan. He ruled from Sehwan Sharif, in the Sindh region, in the 7th century CE.-Life:...
.
Later he expanded his rule subduing neighbouring Buddhist regions across the Indus River
Indus River
The Indus River is a major river which flows through Pakistan. It also has courses through China and India.Originating in the Tibetan plateau of western China in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar in Tibet Autonomous Region, the river runs a course through the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir and...
culminating in a battle at Brahmanabad
Mansura (Brahmanabad)
Mansura was the historic capital of the Arab empire in Sindh. The city now lies in Western Pakistan and is usually known as Brahmanabad in Sindh, situated about south-east of Shahdadpur railway station, and north-east of Hyderabad.-History:...
, killing Buddhist Governor of Brahmanabad, Agham Lohana
Agham Lohana
Agham Lohana was a Buddhist Governor of Brahmanabad condemnatory under Hindu King of Alor, Rai Sahasi and was contemporary of Brahmin Raja, the Chach of Alor...
. He stayed there for a year cementing his control by various means such as:
- Marrying the widow of the king Agham
- Marrying his niece to Agham's son Sarhand
- Taking hostages
- Prohibiting the Jat and LohanaLohanaThe Lohana also referred to as Luvana are an Indian caste,largely classified as merchants and are categorized as Vaishya or Bania caste although their ancient history proves that they are Kshatriya of Suryavanshi descant, claiming their lineage from Lava, son of Rama...
tribes from carrying weapons.
He further placed upon the Jat and Lohana restrictions such as:
- Forbidding them riding horses with saddles
- Forbidding them from wearing silk or velvet
- Forbidding them from wearing headgear or footwear
- Forcing them to wear black or red scarves
From there he then marched into Sassanid territory the town of Armanbelah, and through Turan
Turan
Tūrān is the Persian name for Central Asia, literally meaning "the land of the Tur". As described below, the original Turanians are an Iranian tribe of the Avestan age. As a people the "Turanian" are one of the two Iranian peoples both descending from the Persian Fereydun but with different...
to Kandahar
Kandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
from where he exacted tribute before returning.
In the 35th year of the reign of the Raja Sahasi Rai II, 636
636
Year 636 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 636 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* August 20 – Battle of Yarmuk:...
, the Chach Nama reports the repulsion of an Arab raid on Debal
Debal
-Introduction:Debal was an ancient port located near modern Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. In Arabic, it was usually called Daybul it is adjacent to the nearby Manora Island and was administered by Mansura, and later Thatta....
and Thana. The raid was meant for the purpose of looting the coastal cities and were not actually permitted by the Caliph Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
, who later dismissed the governor of Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
due to his independent act of raiding with out permission from caliphate. It was under Mughaira bin A's, who died in this battle at Debal
Debal
-Introduction:Debal was an ancient port located near modern Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. In Arabic, it was usually called Daybul it is adjacent to the nearby Manora Island and was administered by Mansura, and later Thatta....
.
In 644
644
Year 644 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 644 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Asia :* The Tang dynasty of China begins the invasion...
, after Conquering Persian Empire, Rashidun army
Rashidun army
The Rashidun Caliphate Army or Rashidun army was the primary military body of the Rashidun Caliphate's armed forces during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century, serving alongside the Rashidun Navy...
entered makran
Makran
The present day Makran is a semi-desert coastal strip in the south of Sindh, Balochistan, in Iran and Pakistan, along the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The present day Makran derived its name from Maka, a satrap of Achaemenid Empire....
and defeated the army of Raja Sahasi Rai II in a decisive Battle of Rasil
Battle of Rasil
Battle of Rasil was fought between Rai Kingdom of Sindh and Rashidun Caliphate in early 644. It was first encounter of Rashidun Caliphate with Indian subcontinent...
, and annexed Makran and eastern Balochistan
Balochistan (region)
Balochistan or Baluchistan is an arid, mountainous region in the Iranian plateau in Southwest Asia; it includes part of southeastern Iran, western Pakistan, and southwestern Afghanistan. The area is named after the numerous Baloch tribes, Iranian peoples who moved into the area from the west...
. Caliph Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
(634-644) however for the time being, disapproved of any incursion beyond the Indus river
Indus River
The Indus River is a major river which flows through Pakistan. It also has courses through China and India.Originating in the Tibetan plateau of western China in the vicinity of Lake Mansarovar in Tibet Autonomous Region, the river runs a course through the Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir and...
and ordered his commander to consolidate their position west of indus. During the reign of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (644-656) Muslims captured Qanzabil, a main military garrison of Rai dynasty in northern Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
and until 662
662
Year 662 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 662 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* The regent Grimuald usurps the kingship of...
, when during Ummayad Caliphate it was retaken by Rai kingdom, it served as eastern most garrison town of Rashidun army
Rashidun army
The Rashidun Caliphate Army or Rashidun army was the primary military body of the Rashidun Caliphate's armed forces during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century, serving alongside the Rashidun Navy...
.
ChandarChandra (Chach Nama)Chandra or Chandar succeeded his brother chach and became throne of Alor, Sindh 671AD-History:In the Chach Nama, Brahmin chach became king to marry with widow of Rai Sahasi,the king of Alor,Sindh. Then chach call his brother Chandar, He appoint his brother as a deputy of Alor. Now chach started ...
ChandraChandra (Chach Nama)
Chandra or Chandar succeeded his brother chach and became throne of Alor, Sindh 671AD-History:In the Chach Nama, Brahmin chach became king to marry with widow of Rai Sahasi,the king of Alor,Sindh. Then chach call his brother Chandar, He appoint his brother as a deputy of Alor. Now chach started ...
(671-679) succeeded by his brother.
Chandar, the Buddhist ascetic had to also defend his realm from the King Siharas
King Siharas
Siharas was the Rajput king of Kannauj in the 7th century CE.-Life:Siharas was the son of Rasal, who preceded him as king of Kannuaj....
of Kannauj
Kannauj
Kannauj , also spelt Kanauj, is a city, administrative headquarters and a municipal board or Nagar Palika Parishad in Kannauj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city's name is traditionally derived from the term Kanyakubja . Kannauj is an ancient city, in earlier times the capital...
and after a protracted siege of the capital Aror, the Siharas was captured during a conflict at a parley and peace concluded by means of hostages. Chandra was reputed to have ruled for 8 years.