Raja Dahir: The Last Hindu King of Sindh and His Heroic Resistance Against the Arab Invasion

 Raja Dahir, a Hindu king of the Brahmin lineage, was the last ruler of Sindh before it was conquered by the Arabs. Sindh is now a part of Pakistan, but at that time it also included parts of Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Pakistan and Iran. Raja Dahir was born in 663 CE and ascended the throne in 695 CE.

In 711 CE, his kingdom was invaded by the Arab Umayyad Caliphate, led by Muhammad bin Qasim. The invasion was triggered by a pirate raid off the coast of Debal, which resulted in the loss of gifts to the caliph from the king of Serendib (modern Sri Lanka)

Raja Dahir fought bravely against the invaders, but was killed in the Battle of Aror near the Indus River. His wife and other women of his household committed Jauhar (self-immolation) to avoid capture by the enemy. His daughters, Surya Devi and Preamala Devi, were taken as prisoners and buried alive in a wall. 

Raja Dahir is regarded as a national hero by some Shia and Sunni Muslims of Sindh, as well as by some Hindus. He is remembered for his courage, generosity and secularism. He is also seen as a symbol of resistance against foreign aggression and religious persecution.