Sahiras II of Sindh and classical Pakistan

[xairhossi]

Sahiras II was a prominent Buddhist king of Sindh during the 7th century AD. The description of his empire at it's greatest extent (circa 642 AD) seems to be almost identical to the boundaries of modern day Pakistan.

From the Chachnama -
"The limits of his dominions extended on the east to the boundary of Kashmir, on the west to Makran, on the south to the coast of the sea and Debal, and on the north to the mountains of Kurdan and Kíkánán. He had appointed four Governors (Maliks) in his kingdom: one at Brahminabad; and the fort of Nerun and Debal, Luhánah, Lákhah. Sammah and the river were left under his management. Another at the town of Siwis-tán; and Ladhia, Chingán, the skirts of the hills of Rojhán up to the boundary of Makrán, were given into his charge. The third at the fort of Iskandah; and Báhíah, Stwárah, Jajhór, and the supplementary territories of Dhanód were given in his possession; and the fourth at the town of Multan; and the towns of Sikkah, Karnd, Ishthar and Kíh up to the boundary of Kashmir were en¬trusted to him. The king himself had his headquarters in the city of Aror, retaining Kurdán, Kíkánán, and Bar-hamas directly under his sway."

Aror - the town of Rohri in Sindh (Sukkur District)
Kikanan - Kandahar

@save_ghenda @Kambojaric @Mian Babban @django

 

[Mian Babban]

Very interesting information , i did not know that they had Buddhist kings, Sindh has very rich dynastic history. My attention was drawn to that map, the names of the places in that period. Gandava, a Baloch-Brahui territory, is 'Kandail' and Suleiman mountains is 'Kaikanan'.....

 

[footmarks]

Very interesting information , i did not know that they had Buddhist kings, Sindh has very rich dynastic history. My attention was drawn to that map, the names of the places in that period. Gandava, a Baloch-Brahui territory, is 'Kandail' and Suleiman mountains is 'Kaikanan'.....

I can see a Brahmanabad on the map too. What kind of name is this?

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Very interesting information , i did not know that they had Buddhist kings, Sindh has very rich dynastic history. My attention was drawn to that map, the names of the places in that period. Gandava, a Baloch-Brahui territory, is 'Kandail' and Suleiman mountains is 'Kaikanan'.....

Sindh mostly had and was ruled by Buddhists. Hindu Brahmins gained power under Chach of Alor when he murdered the Buddhist King and took the throne.

The population mostly rejected and resisted Brahmanism, especially the Jatts who were humiliated by the Hindu King; after failed rebellions, these locals would later join Muhammad Bin Qasim against Raja Dahir.

Sahiras II was a prominent Buddhist king of Sindh during the 7th century AD. The description of his empire at it's greatest extent (circa 642 AD) seems to be almost identical to the boundaries of modern day Pakistan.

From the Chachnama -
"The limits of his dominions extended on the east to the boundary of Kashmir, on the west to Makran, on the south to the coast of the sea and Debal, and on the north to the mountains of Kurdan and Kíkánán. He had appointed four Governors (Maliks) in his kingdom: one at Brahminabad; and the fort of Nerun and Debal, Luhánah, Lákhah. Sammah and the river were left under his management. Another at the town of Siwis-tán; and Ladhia, Chingán, the skirts of the hills of Rojhán up to the boundary of Makrán, were given into his charge. The third at the fort of Iskandah; and Báhíah, Stwárah, Jajhór, and the supplementary territories of Dhanód were given in his possession; and the fourth at the town of Multan; and the towns of Sikkah, Karnd, Ishthar and Kíh up to the boundary of Kashmir were en¬trusted to him. The king himself had his headquarters in the city of Aror, retaining Kurdán, Kíkánán, and Bar-hamas directly under his sway."

Aror - the town of Rohri in Sindh (Sukkur District)
Kikanan - Kandahar

@save_ghenda @Kambojaric @Mian Babban @django

Pakistan is based on the Indus. In history; it was a rich and connected breadbasket region, which had a distinct culture from both the East and West of Indus Plains. There are dozens of other Kingdoms and etc... that resembled the borders of modern day Pakistan.

 

[Kambojaric]

The Rai dynasty's kingdom does indeed parallell modern day Pakistan's border, which is no surprise because civilization in this part of the world is centered around the river Indus, and towns and cities as a consequence follow wherever the river flows. One reason why Thatta today is an insignificant city as compared to its glorious past. Pakistan is hence in many ways just a modern reemergence of these old Indus based states.

With regards to the Buddhist tendencies of the Rai, this is a part of history that many people tend to forget. Buddhism in Pakistan was not only focused around Gandhara. Sindh too has a long history with Buddhism especially with the Sammitya school/sect which was centered in Sindh. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saṃmitīya)

Sites like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahu-Jo-Darro or at Mir Rukan are a testament to this, but sadly little to no attention has been paid to archaeology in this part of Pakistan, especially if compared to Gandhara.

 

[xairhossi]

Very interesting information , i did not know that they had Buddhist kings, Sindh has very rich dynastic history. My attention was drawn to that map, the names of the places in that period. Gandava, a Baloch-Brahui territory, is 'Kandail' and Suleiman mountains is 'Kaikanan'.....

What do you think about Kakar being derived from Kaikanan, which appears to be the old name for the Suleiman Mountains (possibly along with Kurdan) before being named after the prophet Suleiman?

The Rai dynasty's kingdom does indeed parallell modern day Pakistan's border, which is no surprise because civilization in this part of the world is centered around the river Indus, and towns and cities as a consequence follow wherever the river flows. One reason why Thatta today is an insignificant city as compared to its glorious past. Pakistan is hence in many ways just a modern reemergence of these old Indus based states.

With regards to the Buddhist tendencies of the Rai, this is a part of history that many people tend to forget. Buddhism in Pakistan was not only focused around Gandhara. Sindh too has a long history with Buddhism especially with the Sammitya school/sect which was centered in Sindh. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saṃmitīya)

Sites like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahu-Jo-Darro or at Mir Rukan are a testament to this, but sadly little to no attention has been paid to archaeology in this part of Pakistan, especially if compared to Gandhara.

Native Sindhi tribes are collectively called the Sammat, I wonder if their name derives from the Buddhist sect. Apparently, they were considered heretical and had conflicts with the other Buddhist schools, writing long treatises against each other.

 

[Mian Babban]

What do you think about Kakar being derived from Kaikanan, which appears to be the old name for the Suleiman Mountains (possibly along with Kurdan) before being named after the prophet Suleiman?


Native Sindhi tribes are collectively called the Sammat, I wonder if their name derives from the Buddhist sect. Apparently, they were considered heretical and had conflicts with the other Buddhist schools, writing long treatises against each other.

Very interesting observation......Kakaran, Kaikanan....... About Kurdan, i think a community by name of Kurds live in Mastung who are Brahuis

 

[xairhossi]

Very interesting observation......Kakaran, Kaikanan....... About Kurdan, i think a community by name of Kurds live in Mastung who are Brahuis

What is more interesting is that some Pashtun nationalists were advocating to make a 'Kakaristan' province in North Baluchistan's Pashtun majority areas, which would have been identical to historic Kaikanan.
Regarding Kurds, there are 'Sarhadi Kurds' present in Baluchistan and even South Punjab (DG Khan area) where they were exiled to from Iran and they have adopted local Balochi/Brahui/Seraiki languages. The Brahuis apparently call their language 'Kurdgali' as well. The historic Gedrosia/Balochistan region is very interesting and mixed.

 

[xairhossi]

Sometime in the 7th century, the King of Nimruz of Fars province in Iran gathered a large force to invade Sindh but it was intercepted by Sahiras II at Kerman. However, Sahiras fell in the battle with the King of Nimruz being forced to retreat as well. He was succeeded by his son, Sahasi II who would eventually be murdered by Chach and have his throne usurped.

from
Chachnamah Retold : An Account Of The Arab Conquest Of Sindh by Gobind Khushalani

 

[Kambojaric]

I have always wanted to read the Chachnamah. I remember at one point I found a pdf link online, but cant seem to find it now.

 

[xairhossi]

I have always wanted to read the Chachnamah. I remember at one point I found a pdf link online, but cant seem to find it now.

Here
http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf?file=12701030&ct=8

 

[Kambojaric]

Here
http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf?file=12701030&ct=8

Ah brilliant. Thanks a lot!

 

[xairhossi]

Ah brilliant. Thanks a lot!

Have you noticed how closely the events of the Chachnama seem to mirror the plot of Game of Thrones?
The old ruling dynasty (Rai dynasty/ Targaryens)..gets the throne usurped by an inadequate king, later an unpopular dynasty (Chach and Dahir/Robert Baratheon, later the Lannisters)..after which an army comes from across the sea (Daenerys/ MB Qasim).

 

[Kambojaric]

Have you noticed how closely the events of the Chachnama seem to mirror the plot of Game of Thrones?
The old ruling dynasty (Rai dynasty/ Targaryens)..gets the throne usurped by an inadequate king, later an unpopular dynasty (Chach and Dahir/Robert Baratheon, later the Lannisters)..after which an army comes from across the sea (Daenerys/ MB Qasim).

True true! Or the invaders could be the whitewalkers as well lol, given that the wall will certainly come down this coming season. My dream is to one day see a high quality historical drama produced in Pakistan. Imagine a series on Rai Ahmed Kharral, Mir Chakar Rind or on the Rai/Chach/MBQ traingle in Sindh.