The Arab conquest of Sindh took place in the early eighth century CE and marked the beginning of sustained Arab political presence in the Indian subcontinent. The conquest was carried out during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid I, when Muhammad bin Qasim, a young general and governor of the eastern provinces, led the Arab forces into Sindh in 711–712 CE. The immediate background of the invasion was connected with political, commercial and strategic interests in the region. According to traditional accounts, the immediate cause of the invasion was the seizure of a ship carrying gifts and pilgrims from Sri Lanka by pirates near the coast of Sindh. The ruler of Sindh, Raja Dahir, was held responsible by the Arab authorities for failing to punish the pirates and recover the property. Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, the powerful governor of Iraq, sent an expedition under Muhammad bin Qasim after earlier attempts had failed. The conquest was also encouraged by the Umayyad interest in securing trade routes, controlling the lower Indus region and expanding their influence towards the Indian frontier. Muhammad bin Qasim entered Sindh with a well-organised army consisting of Arab