Soomra dynasty

Soomra dynasty
Soomra dynasty;
	1026–1356 (Continued in exile until 1440 in Umerkot)
Capital	Thari (in present-day Badin District in Sindh), and Thatta
Common languages	Sindhi (native language); Arabic (liturgical language)
Religion	Hinduism,[1] Shia Ismaili Islam
Government	Monarchy
History
• Soomra dynasty begins	1026
• Soomra dynasty ends	1356 (Continued in exile until 1440 in Umerkot)
Preceded by	Succeeded by
	Habbari dynasty
Samma dynasty

The Soomra dynasty was Rajput kingdom of Sindh, and at times adjacent regions, who were based in the medieval Indian city of Thatta,[2] located in what is now present-day Pakistan.[1] Beginning with the reign of Soomar, the dynasty ruled Sindh, in the northwest part of the Indian subcontinent from 1026 to 1356,[1] and re-established local rule over Sindh after a period of several centuries of Arab rule.[3] Though they converted to Islam, the Soomros "remained Hindu in their customs, dress and even in their names".[1] Despite their fall, Soomra culture and traditions continued to deeply impact Sindh for the next several centuries.[4]

History

In 711 CE, Muhammad Bin Qasim extended Umayyad rule to Sindh, making it the easternmost province of the Umayyad empire based in Damascus.[5] Under Umayyad rule, the Arab Habbari dynasty was established as a vassal state of the Umayyads, before ruling semi independently between the 9th and 11th centuries from their capital at Mansura.

The Umayyad Caliphate was overthrown by the Abbasids of Baghdad in 750,[5] and the Habbari state continued to rule mostly independently, despite nominal recognition from the Abbasids.[6] The Arab Habbari state was then invaded in 1010 by Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi,[6] who believed the Abbasids of to be the rightful caliphs and sought to extinguish any remnants of Umayyad influence in Sindh by sacking Mansura.[7]

Ghaznavi was unable to hold Sindh following his sacking of Mansura.[7] In place of him, the local Soomro tribe established the Soomra Dynasty, and began to govern Sindh as a vassal state of the Abbasid Caliphate.[5] Soomro historians regarded their first sultan to be Khafif, although modern research suggests that Khafif was the last Habbari sultan, rather than the first Soomra sultan.[8]

Some members of the Soomro caste were one of the first in Sindh to convert from Hinduism to Islam, and had become wealthy at Mansura.[1][5] They were most likely indigenous Sindhis of the Rajput caste, with some intermarrying with Arabs during Umayyad rule.[1][7] It is claimed that Soomra belong to the Paramara subcaste.[1][9][3] Despite conversion to Islam, they continued to maintain several Hindu customs and traditions.[7][1]

Under the rule of the second Soomra sultan, Soomra rule was extended northward until Multan and Uch.[7] During the early 11th century, an Ismaili missionary from the Fatimid Caliphate named Abdullah visited Sindh to spread Isma'ilism, resulting the Sindh, Multan, and Uch becoming centers of Ismaili Shi'ism.[9] Around the same time, large numbers of Sunni Sufi missionaries from Persia and Central Asia entered Sindh, and would eventually lead to large numbers of Sindhis converting to Islam.[9] Both the Shia and Sunni traditions peacefully coexisted in Sindh.[7]

In the late 1000s-early 1100s, Soomra control was extended southwards to the regions of Kutch and Kathiawar in the modern-day Indian state of Gujarat under the rule of Sanghar, and later under his son Khafif-ll.[7] Following his death, Sanghar's wife Hamoon attempted to usurp the Soomra throne for herself, though her efforts were quickly crushed by Soomra nobles.[7]

In the late 1100s, Muhammad Ghori invaded Sindh, leading to struggles over Kutch with the neighboring Samma dynasty.[7] At the end of the 12th century, the Khizzur Khan Baloch ruled in the Sindh, and he was at enmity with the Rajputs of Bhati. Khizzur Khan Baloch successfully expanded the northern part of the Sindh border, but was killed in his fourth campaign.[10] In the 1220s, Jalaluddin Mingburnu of Khwarezm sacked Sindh, and briefly occupied the Soomra port of Debal.[7]

The Soomra king Shimuddin Chamisar submitted to Iltutmish, the Sultan of Delhi, and was allowed to continue on as a vassal.[11]

The Soomros ruled as Abbasid vassals until the Siege of Baghdad (1258), after which they began to rule independently. Soomro rule over Sindh was weakened in the 1330s as the River Indus shifted course, disturbing Sindh's economy.[12]

The Soomra dynasty's rule over Sindh largely ended when the last Soomra king was defeated by Alauddin Khalji, the second king of the Khalji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.[13][14] They continued to rule pockets of territory in the Thar desert around Umerkot until the mid 1400s.[7]

List of Rulers

Soomro historians regarded their first sultan to be Khafif, although he may have been in fact the last Habbari sultan. Consensus lists the following as Soomro rulers:[7]

Sardar Soomar; 1025-1030
Ibn Soomar Rajpal, also known as Dodo-l; 1030-1054
Bhoongar-l, the son of Khafif, the last Habbari ruler of Mansura; 1054-1068
Dodo-ll; 1068-1089
Sanghar; 1089-1107. First three years under the care of his sister Tari who acted as regent
Khafif-ll, son of Dodo-ll; 1107-1142
Umar-l; 1142-1181
Dodo-lll; 1181-1195
Bhoongar-ll; 1195-1226
Ganhwar; 1226-1242
Muhammad Toor; 1242-1251
Amrah Soomro; 1251-1256

Following the dissolution of Abbasid rule:

Ganhwar-ll; 1256-1259
Dodo-IV; 1259-1273
Tai; 1273-1296
Chanesar; 1296-1300
Bhoongar-lll; 1301-1315
Khafif-lll; 1315-1333
Dodo-V; 1333-1351

Following the collapse of Soomra rule in Sindh, and exile to Umarkot

Hamir Soomro; 1351-1355
Umar; 1355-1390
Bhoongar-V; 1390-1400
Hamir-ll; 1400-1440

Notable people

Dodo Bin Khafef Soomro III
Shroff Sumra

References

Siddiqui, Habibullah. "The Soomras of Sindh: their origin, main characteristics and rule – an overview (general survey) (1025 – 1351 AD)" (PDF). Literary Conference on Soomra Period in Sindh. Historians draw conclusion from socio-cultural as well as the historical and archaeological evidence. The way in which the history of Sindh has been recorded in the past, does not admit of the historical method. However, according to the available printed material, Mir Tahir Muhammad Nisyani, in his Tarikh Tahiri (1621 AD) asserts that Soomras were originally Hindus. They converted to Islam but remained Hindu in their customs, dress and even in their names. Tarikh Waqa`i Rajisthan corroborates this viewpoint and confirms that Soomras were originally “Parmar Rajputs”.
The Herald - Volume 23, Issues 9-12. Pakistan Herald Publications. 1992. p. 171. the Soomras — that would many centuries later culminate in the establishment of a major dynasty on the southwestern wedge of northern India. The Soomra Dynasty would rule in the medieval period of Sindh's history for over 350 years.
International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics. Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala. 2007. The Soomras are believed to be Parmar Rajputs found even today in Rajasthan, Kutch and Sindh.
The Herald. Pakistan Herald Publications. 1992.
Stanton, Andrea L. (2012). Cultural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa: An Encyclopedia. SAGE. ISBN 978-1-4129-8176-7.
Varyāh, ʻAbdullāh (1983). Souvenir, Mansura Seminar: 12th Rabi-us-Sani, 1403 A.H./27th January, 1983 A.D. Sanghar Historical and Cultural Society.
Siddiqui, Habibullah. "The Soomras of Sindh: their origin, main characteristics and rule – an overview (general survey) (1025 – 1351 AD)" (PDF). Literary Conference on Soomra Period in Sindh.
The Archeology: An Organ of the Friends of Cultural and Archeeological [i.e. Archaeological] Heritage of Pakistan. International Press & Publications Bureau. 1993.
Dani, Ahmad Hasan (2007). History of Pakistan: Pakistan through ages. Sang-e Meel Publications. ISBN 978-969-35-2020-0. But as many kings of the dynasty bore Hindu names, it is almost certain that the Soomras were of local origin. Sometimes they are connected with Paramara Rajputs, but of this there is no definite proof.
Tod, James (1873). Annals and Antiquities of Rajast'han, Or, The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India. Higginbotham and Company.
Aniruddha Ray (4 March 2019). The Sultanate of Delhi (1206-1526): Polity, Economy, Society and Culture. Taylor & Francis. pp. 43–. ISBN 978-1-00-000729-9.
Meadows, Azra; Meadows, P. S. (1999). The Indus River: Biodiversity, Resources, Humankind. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-577905-9.
"Pakistan: The lesser-known histories of an ancient land".
"A tale of two legends: Padmavat and Dodo-Chanesar".

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[Siddiqui-1] Siddiqui, Habibullah. "The Soomras of Sindh: their origin, main characteristics and rule – an overview (general survey) (1025 – 1351 AD)" (PDF). Literary Conference on Soomra Period in Sindh. Historians draw conclusion from socio-cultural as well as the historical and archaeological evidence. The way in which the history of Sindh has been recorded in the past, does not admit of the historical method. However, according to the available printed material, Mir Tahir Muhammad Nisyani, in his Tarikh Tahiri (1621 AD) asserts that Soomras were originally Hindus. They converted to Islam but remained Hindu in their customs, dress and even in their names. Tarikh Waqa`i Rajisthan corroborates this viewpoint and confirms that Soomras were originally “Parmar Rajputs”.

[2] The Herald - Volume 23, Issues 9-12. Pakistan Herald Publications. 1992. p. 171. the Soomras — that would many centuries later culminate in the establishment of a major dynasty on the southwestern wedge of northern India. The Soomra Dynasty would rule in the medieval period of Sindh's history for over 350 years.

[:1-3] International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics. Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala. 2007. The Soomras are believed to be Parmar Rajputs found even today in Rajasthan, Kutch and Sindh.

[4] The Herald. Pakistan Herald Publications. 1992.

[:2-5] Stanton, Andrea L. (2012). Cultural Sociology of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa: An Encyclopedia. SAGE. ISBN 978-1-4129-8176-7.

[:3-6] Varyāh, ʻAbdullāh (1983). Souvenir, Mansura Seminar: 12th Rabi-us-Sani, 1403 A.H./27th January, 1983 A.D. Sanghar Historical and Cultural Society.

[:0-7] Siddiqui, Habibullah. "The Soomras of Sindh: their origin, main characteristics and rule – an overview (general survey) (1025 – 1351 AD)" (PDF). Literary Conference on Soomra Period in Sindh.

[8] The Archeology: An Organ of the Friends of Cultural and Archeeological [i.e. Archaeological] Heritage of Pakistan. International Press & Publications Bureau. 1993.

[:4-9] Dani, Ahmad Hasan (2007). History of Pakistan: Pakistan through ages. Sang-e Meel Publications. ISBN 978-969-35-2020-0. But as many kings of the dynasty bore Hindu names, it is almost certain that the Soomras were of local origin. Sometimes they are connected with Paramara Rajputs, but of this there is no definite proof.

[10] Tod, James (1873). Annals and Antiquities of Rajast'han, Or, The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India. Higginbotham and Company.

[Ray2019-11] Aniruddha Ray (4 March 2019). The Sultanate of Delhi (1206-1526): Polity, Economy, Society and Culture. Taylor & Francis. pp. 43–. ISBN 978-1-00-000729-9.

[12] Meadows, Azra; Meadows, P. S. (1999). The Indus River: Biodiversity, Resources, Humankind. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-577905-9.

[13] "Pakistan: The lesser-known histories of an ancient land".

[14] "A tale of two legends: Padmavat and Dodo-Chanesar".

History of Sindh
Periods	Indus Valley Civilization Sindhu Kingdom Ror dynasty Rai dynasty Brahman dynasty Caliphate Habbari dynasty Soomra dynasty Samma dynasty Arghun dynasty Tarkhan dynasty Mughal Empire Kalhora dynasty Talpur dynasty Bombay Presidency British period
Capitals	Mohenjo-daro Debal Aror Banbhore Mansura (Brahmanabad) Umer Kot Agham Kot Thatta Khudabad Hyderabad Karachi
People	Hoshu Sheedi Dollah Darya Khan Dodo Bin Khafef Soomro III Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi
Wars & battles	Battle of Rasil Battle of Halani Battle of Miani Battle of Hyderabad Battle of Fatehpur Battle of Khari Khabarlo Battle of Kachhi Battle of Jhok

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History of India
Satavahana gateway at Sanchi, 1st century CE
Ancient Madrasian culture Soanian, c. 500,000 BCE Neolithic, c. 7600 – c. 3300 BCE Bhirrana 7570 - 6200 BCE Jhusi 7106 BCE Lahuradewa 7000 BCE Mehrgarh 7000 - 2600 BCE Indus Valley Civilization, c. 3300 – c. 1700 BCE Post Indus Valley Period, c. 1700 – c. 1500 BCE Vedic Civilization, c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE Early Vedic Period Rise of Śramaṇa movement Later Vedic Period Spread of Jainism - Parshvanatha Spread of Jainism - Mahavira Rise of Buddhism Mahajanapadas, c. 500 – c. 345 BCE Nanda Dynasty, c. 345 – c. 322 BCE
Classical Maurya Dynasty, c. 322 – c. 185 BCE Sangam period Shunga Dynasty, c. 185 – c. 75 BCE Kanva Dynasty, c. 75 – c. 30 BCE Kushan Dynasty, c. 30 – c. 230 CE Satavahana Dynasty, c. 30 BCE – c. 220 CE Gupta Dynasty, c. 200 – c. 550 CE
Early medieval Chalukya Dynasty, c. 543 – c. 753 CE Harsha's Dynasty, c. 606 CE – c. 647 CE Karakota Dynasty, c. 724 – c. 760 CE Arab Invasion, c. 738 CE Tripartite Struggle, c. 760 – c. 973 CE Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty Rastrakuta Dynasty Pala Dynasty Chola Dynasty, c. 848 – c. 1251 CE 2nd Chalukya Dynasty, c. 973 – c. 1187 CE
Late medieval Delhi Sultanate, c. 1206 – c. 1526 CE Slave Dynasty Khalji Dynasty Tugluq Dynasty Sayyid Dynasty Lodhi Dynasty Pandyan Dynasty, c. 1251 – c. 1323 CE Vijayanagara, c. 1336 – c. 1646 CE Bengal Sultanate, c. 1342 – c. 1576 CE
Early modern Mughal Dynasty, c. 1526 – c. 1540 CE Suri Dynasty, c. 1540 – c. 1556 CE Mughal Dynasty, c. 1556 – c. 1857 CE Bengal Subah, c. 1576 – c. 1757 CE Maratha Empire, c. 1674 – c. 1818 CE Company Raj, c. 1757 – c. 1858 CE Kingdom of Mysore, c. 1760 – c. 1799 CE Sikh Empire, c. 1799 – c. 1849 CE
Modern The Great Rebellion, c. 1857 – c. 1858 CE British Raj, c. 1858 – c. 1947 CE Independence Movement Independent India, c. 1947 CE – present
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Timeline
Ancient Palaeolithic Soanian Culture, c. 500,000 – 250,000 BCE Neolithic Mehrgarh, c. 7000 – c. 3000 BCE Indus Valley Civilisation, c. 3300 – c. 1700 BCE Vedic Civilization, c. 1500 – c. 500 BCE Achaemenid Empire, c. 550 – c. 330 BCE Gedrosia, c. 542 – c. 330 BCE Gandhara, c. 518 – c. 330 BCE Arachosia, c. 518 – c. 330 BCE Hindush, c. 517 – c. 330 BCE Sattagydia, c. 516 – c. 330 BCE Ror Dynasty, c. 489 – c. 450 BCE Macedonian Empire, c. 329 – c. 323 BCE Arachosia, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Gedrosia, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Paropamisadae, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Porus, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Taxiles, c. 323 – c. 312 BCE Mauryan Empire, c. 322 – c. 200 BCE Seleucid Empire, c. 312 – c. 63 BCE Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, c. 190 – c. 140 BCE Indo-Greek Kingdom, c. 170 – c. 50 BCE Indo-Scythian Kingdom, c. 110 BCE – c. 95 CE Apracharajas, c. 25 BCE – c. 50 CE Paratarajas, c. 120 – c. 300 CE
Classical Parthian Empire, c. 90 BCE – c. 25 CE Indo-Parthian Kingdom, c. 25 – c. 80 CE Kushan Empire, c. 60 – 345 CE Sasanian Empire, c. 250 – 655 CE Indo-Sasanians, c. 240 – 410 CE Kushano-Sasanian Kingdom, c. 240 – 410 CE Gupta Empire, c. 345 – c. 455 CE Rai Dynasty, c. 415 – 644 CE Hephthalite Empire, c. 450 – 560 CE Brahman Dynasty, c. 641 – 725 CE
Medieval Caliphate, c. 643 – 860 CE Rashidun Caliphate, c. 643 – 661 CE Umayyad Caliphate, c. 670 – 860 CE Pala Empire, c. 770 – 850 CE Habbari Dynasty, c. 841 – 1024 CE Kabul Shahi, c. 870 – 1010 CE Samanid Empire, c. 905 – 999 CE Ghaznavids, c. 999 – 1186 CE Soomra Dynasty, c. 1024 – 1351 CE Ghurid Dynasty, c. 1170 – 1215 CE Delhi Sultanate, c. 1206 – c. 1526 CE Mamluk Dynasty, c. 1206 – c. 1290 CE Khalji Dynasty, c. 1290 – c. 1320 CE Tugluq Dynasty, c. 1320 – c. 1413 CE Sayyid Dynasty, c. 1414 – c. 1451 CE Lodhi Dynasty, c. 1451 – c. 1526 CE Mongol Empire, c. 1221 – c. 1327 CE Chagatai Khanate, c. 1225 – c. 1485 CE Ilkhanate, c. 1256 – c. 1353 CE Raees Dynasty, c. 1320 – 1620 CE Katoor Dynasty, c. 1570 – c. 1947 CE Samma Dynasty, c. 1351 – c. 1524 CE Arghun Dynasty, c. 1520 – c. 1554 CE Mughal Empire, c. 1526 – c. 1707 CE Bombay Presidency, c. 1618 – c. 1947 CE Suri Dynasty, c. 1540 – c. 1556 CE Tarkhan Dynasty, c. 1554 – 1591 CE
Early modern Durrani Empire, c. 1747 – c. 1826 CE Las Bela, c. 1802 – c. 1947 CE Misl, c. 1716 – c. 1799 CE Maratha Empire, c. 1758 – c. 1760 CE Sikh Empire, c. 1799 – c. 1849 CE British Raj, c. 1858 – c. 1947 CE Independence Movement
Modern Pakistan, c. 1947 CE – present Dominion of Pakistan, c. 1947 – 1956 CE Islamic Republic, c. 1956 CE – present
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Soomra dynasty

History

List of Rulers

Notable people

See also

References