Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals

Author(s): Rati Dodhia
Publisher: Rati Dodhia

Page 69

CHAPTER 10
MIGRATION TO CUTCHH
Sindh to Cutchh: The settlement of Oshwals in Sindh started as early as the tenth century. Political disorders and religious antagonism were the prime factors of migration to Cutchh.
In 712 A.D. Arabs invaded and conquered Sindh. Ahmed Mirkasim became the ruler of Sindh. He made Islam the principal religion. After a time Hamir became Sultan of Sindh. He was very cruel. He forced the Hindu traders to sell alcohol and meat. The Jainas being mostly traders were affected most. In spite of many appeals the order remained in effect. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the Muslim rulers Allaudin Khilji and Ahmad Shah started religious persecution. Mohammad Begdo invaded Sindh three times in 1527, 1528 and 1562 A.D. without success.
During the reigns of Allaudin Khilji and Ahmad Shah Hindus, Jainas and Buddhists were not allowed to wear expensive clothes, gold ornaments or ride horses. They had to cover their heads with a turban (paghri).
Between A.D. 1570 and 1575 Emperor Firozshah Tughlakh of Delhi invaded Sindh three times. He failed twice but succeeded in conquering Sindh on the third attempt. Sindh came totally under the power of Muslim rulers. He appointed a Muslim cleric as Governor (Suba) to govern the province of Sindh, who declared Islam to be the official religion. He was very cruel towards the Buddhists, Hindus and Jainas. They were either forced to accept Islam or face severe penalties. Even the life of people living in villages of the Parker, Thali and Marward regions bordering Sindh became intolerable. Many people of different Hindu