FACTION PREVIEW: The Malikate of Sindh

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The Malikate of Sindh

Background

During the reign of Rashidun Caliph Umar, an expedition was sent to conquer Makran, this was first time when Muslim armies entered Sindh. Islamic army defeated the Hindu king of Sindh Raja Rasil on the western bank of river Indus, the armies of Raja accordingly retreated to interior Sindh. Caliph Umar, on getting the information about the miserable conditions of Sindh stopped his armies from crossing river Indus and ordered them to consolidate there position in Makran and Baluchistan. Caliph Umar's successor Uthman also send his agent to investigate the matters of Sindh, on getting the same information of unfavourable geographical conditions and miserable life style of people, he forbade his armies from entering Sindh. During Rashidun Caliphate only the south western part of sindh around the western bank of river Indus, and some northern parts near the frontiers of Baluchistan remianed under the rule of Islamic empire.[2] It was finally Conquered by Syrian Arabs led by Muhammad bin Qasim, Sindh became the easternmost province of the Umayyad Caliphate. Referred to as Al-Sindh on Arab maps with lands further east known as Hind ironically depicting the current border between the two nations of Pakistan and India. The defeat of the Brahmin ruler Raja Dahir was made easier due to the tension between the Buddhist majority and the ruling Brahmins' fragile base of control.

The Arabs redefined the region and adopted the term budd to refer to the numerous Buddhist idols they encountered, a word that remains in use today. The city of Mansura was established as a regional misr or capital. Arab rule lasted for nearly three centuries, and a fusion of cultures produced much of what is today modern Sindhi society. Arab geographers, historians and travelers also sometimes used the name "Sindh" for the entire area from the Arabian Sea to the Hindu Kush. The meaning of the word Sindhu being water (or ocean) appears to refer to the Indus river.

In addition, there is a mythological belief among Muslims that four rivers had sprung from Heaven: Neel (Nile), Furat (Euphrates), Jehoon (Jaxartes) and Sehoon (Sindh or in modern times the Indus).[citation needed]Arab rule ended with the ascension of the Soomro dynasty, who were local Sindhi Muslims, and who controlled the province directly and as vassals from 1058 to 1249. Turkic invaders conquered the area by 977 CE and the region loosely became part of the Ghaznavid Empire and then the Delhi Sultanate which lasted until 1524.

Summary

The Soomro Dynasty was a native Sindhi Dynasty that had intermarried with local Arab Landowners following the Initial Muslim conquests around 711 AD. The Arabs Rule ended with the ascension of the Soomro Dynasty from 1011 to 1351 (A total of about 300 years), both as an independent Kingdom and as Vassals of varying sovereignty. They inherited a kingdom rich in land and history, with a culture influenced by a myriad of peoples and religions. Sindhi Military is inspired by both Arab (Classical Islamic, basically) and Indian style, with only a touch of contemporary Turkish.

Faction symbol



Battle banners



Faction strengths and weaknesses

Stengths

• Good light infantry.
• Excellent access to longbowmen.
• Strong spearmen.
• Capable javelineers.
• Armour piercing weapons are common.

Weaknesses

• Lack of armour at low tiers.
• Horse archery is only at high tiers.
• No heavy horse armour.
• No single absolute strength.

Levies

Tier 1 - Indian spearmen




Tier 2 - Hindu archers

Barracks

Tier 1 - Punjabi Spearmen




Tier 1 - Sindhi axmen




Tier 2 - Karachi macemen




Tier 3 - Sindhi Spearmen.




Tier 4 - Soomro Warriors.




Tier 5 - Jagir swordsmen

Range

Tier 1 - Hindu Longbowmen




Tier 2 - Punjabi Skirmishers




Tier 3 - Dismounted Jagirs archers

Stables

Tier 1 - Punjabi Javelin Cavalry




Tier 2 - Sindhi axemen cav




Tier 3 - Light spear Cavalry




Tier 4 - Soomro horsemen




Tier 4 - Jagir horse archers




Tier 5 - Jagir lancers

Bodyguard

BG - Royal Jagir Guard