An Analytical Study of the Effects of the Narrations of Ghazwah-e-Hind

Abstract

The narrations of Ghazwah-e-Hind reveal not only their effects on India, but also their profound influence on the internal trade and crafts, economy and economic system, as well as on knowledge, sciences, biography (sīrah), and history throughout the Arab and non-Arab regions of the Islamic world. Ghazwah-e-Hind and Ghazwah-e-Sindh constitute a bright and illustrious chapter in Islamic history. The beginning of this campaign dates back to the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them), and it has passed through various phases, continuing even up to 2021. It will remain ongoing until the descent of ʿĪsā (peace be upon him), because the Noble Prophet ﷺ stated that the warriors of Ghazwah-e-Hind will place chains upon the kings of India and present them before ʿĪsā (peace be upon him).If the religious dimensions of Ghazwah-e-Hind are examined, it becomes abundantly clear that, in one sense, this expedition is included among the ghazawāt and sarāyā of the Prophet ﷺ. This is because, according to Islamic teachings, a ghazwah refers to a battle in which the Prophet ﷺ personally participated and exercised command. From this perspective, the ghazawāt of the Prophet ﷺ can be broadly classified into two major categories with respect to their chronological occurrence. Regarding Ghazwah-e-Hind, the glad tidings given by the Noble Prophet ﷺ indicate that the battles associated with the life of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are classified by biographers and scholars of ḥadīth into two categories. The first category is Ghazwah Thābitah, which refers to those battles in which the Prophet ﷺ personally participated and led the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). The second category is Ghazwah Mawʿūdah, which refers to those battles whose occurrence in the future was foretold by the Truthful Informer, the Prophet ﷺ. Among the promised battles (Ghazwah Mawʿūdah), the conquest of Constantinople and Ghazwah-e-Hind and Sindh hold a prominent position.In the present research, it is maintained that although the beginning of Ghazwah-e-Hind occurred during the era of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), its culmination will take place after the appearance of Sayyidunā al-Mahdī and the descent of Sayyidunā ʿĪsā (peace be upon him).

Keywords: Review, Narrations of Ghazwah-e-Hind, Scholarly, Economic, Historical, Military, and Socio-Economic Effects