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Muhammad b. Qasim declared that he had no orders to spare the inhabitants, and thus for three days a ruthless and indiscriminate slaughter ensued. In the aftermath, the local temple was defiled, and “700 beautiful females who had sought for shelter there, were all captured.” The capture of Raor was accompanied by a similar tragic outcome. Muhammad massacred 6000 fighting men who were found in the fort, and their followers and dependents, as well as their women and children were taken prisoners. Sixty thousand slaves, including 30 young ladies of royal blood, were sent to Hajjaj, along with the head of Dahar . We can now well understand why the capture of a fort by the Muslim forces was followed by the terrible jauhar ceremony , the earliest recorded instance of which is found in the Chachnama. As a result, the Chachnama records, “some resolved to live in their native land, but others took flight in order to maintain the faith of their ancestors, and their horses, domestics, and other property. (en) |
