Reign As Recounted in The Chach-Nama
The Chach Nama is the oldest chronicle of the Arab conquest of Sindh. It was translated into Persian by Muhammad Ali bin Hamid bin Abu Bakr Kufi in 1216 CE. from an earlier Arabic text believed to have been composed by the Thaqafi family, the kinsmen of Muhammad bin Qasim. At one time it was considered to be a romance until Mountstuart Elphinstone's observations of its historical veracity.
It recounts Raja Dahir as a Pushkarna Brahmin king and son of Chach of Alor who ascended the throne upon the death of his uncle Chandar. His sister Dahar grew up at Alor with their elder brother Dahar-Sena who arranged her marriage to the King Sohan of Bhatia. She was then moved to reside at the capital Alor (Aror) with Dahir preceding the wedding. However in an attempt to circumvent a prophecy that declared that her husband would rule a strong kingdom from his capital at Aror, Dahir is reported to have married her instead and the event resulted in both severe criticism and a conflict with his brother Dahar-Sena. This story is based on Chach Nama written by a Muslim kinsmen of Muhamand bin Quasim, so it can not be trusted. This story looks like to be an attempt to malign Hindu religion by a Muslim. Dahar-Sena immediately assembled an army and marched upon Dahir. His brother Dahar-Sena died due to a sunstroke while besieging Dahir at Aror. Dahir then marched to Alor where he subdued the area and consolidate his support base, by executing Dahar-Sena's son Chach. Again source of this information is a book written by a Muslim with aim of maligning Hindu religion. He became the ruler and marrying his brothers widow who was also the sister of Sarhand Lohanah, a powerful chieftain who commanded the allegiance of various Jat tribes.
Eight years later his kingdom was invaded by Ramal or Kannauj. After initial losses the enemy advanced upon Aror so he allied hismself with one 'Alafi Arab. Alafi and his warriors, who were in exile from the Umayyad Caliph were recruited and led Dahirs armies in repelling the invading forces. They then stayed on as valued members of Dahirs court. In the later war with the Caliphate however Alafi served in the capacity of a military advisor but refused to take active part in the campaign; as a result of which he later secured a pardon from the Caliph.
Read more about this topic: Dahir (Raja)
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