Muhammad Bin Qasim:

There are many great people found in the history of Sub-continent, who devoted their lives for Islam. One of the very famous heroes of history is Muhammad Bin Qasim who played a major role in spread of Islam in the sub-continent. He lived a very short life of twenty years, but he is known for his courage and disciplines. He was born on December 31st, 695 at taif. As he was orphaned, when he was a child, thus he grew up under his mothers eye. A generous and religious person was the son-in-law of Hajjaj Bin Yousaf. The Pirates of the coast of Sindh plundered many valuable things thus Hajjaj demanded from Raja Dahir to punish the pirates and to compensate the Muslims. He refused by pretending that Daibul port was not in his authority while Sindh was in his territory at that time. At that time Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh. He sent heavy and well armed army under the command of Muhammad Bin Qasim. He was only seventeen years old at that time. He entered Daibul in 712 AD. As a result of his efforts, he succeeded in capturing Daibul. He continued his Victorious Progress in succession, Nirun (A city near modern Hyderabad), fortress (called Sikka), Brahmanabad, Alor, Multan and Gujrat. After the conquest of Multan, he carried his arms to the borders of Kigdom of Kashmir, but his dismissal stopped the further advance. Now Muslims were the masters of whole Sindh and a part of Punjab up to the borders of Kashmir in the north. Muhammad Bin Qasim in accordance with the Muslims practices, guaranteed to conquer people, security of life, property and freedom of worship. He awarded the status of Zammis to the people of Sindh. The Brahmins and the Buddhist were treated well and were entrusted with responsible administrative offices. Muhammad Bin Qasim, the soldier of Islam, established peace and took first step to install Muslim Society in the Sub-continent. The local population was so impressed by his justice, leniency and fair-play of the Muslims that when Muhammad Bin Qasim and later Umayyad Caliph Umer Bin Abdul Aziz invited the people to accept Islam, the response was good. Muhammad Bin Qasim was known for his obedience, but he was unaware of the tragic end. Hajjaj and his patron died in 714. When Walid Bin Abdul Malik died, his younger brother Suleman succeeded as the Caliph. He was a bitter enemy of Hajjajs family. He recalled Muhammad Bin Qasim from Sindh. Qasim was known about the animosity between Suleman and Hajjaj. He could refuse to obey the Caliph's orders, but he used to obey the orders as the duty of a general. When he came back, he had to pay. He became a victim and was put behind bars. He died at age of twenty on 18th of July, 715. He was first person who hoist the flag of Islamic sovereignty. Port Qasim, which is the second major port of Pakistan, is named in his honor.