Chach of Aror

Chach
MaharajaofSindh
Reign	631-671
Predecessor	Rai Sahasi (Sinhasena)
Successor	Chandar
Spouse	Rani Suhanadi
Issue	Dahir
Dynasty	Brahmin dynasty of Sindh
Religion	Hinduism

Chach(c. 631-671 AD,Sindhi:چچ)was aHinduBrahminking ofSindhregion of theIndian subcontinentin the mid-7th century AD. Chach expanded the kingdom of Sindh, and his successful efforts to subjugate surrounding monarchies and ethnic groups into an empire covering the entire Indus valley and beyond were recorded in theChach Nama.

Biography

Chach was aHinduBrahminwhose great grandfathers migrated to sindh region from Kashmir in search of employment his father was Pandit Selaji who was a priest in a village near Aror The term Chach is not exactly the name but a Kashmiri Pandit title from Bhrigu Gotra, Chach was an extremely handsome masculine man who was well versed in arts and scriptures he rose to a position of influence underRai Sahiras II,king of Sindh and a member of theRai dynasty.Chach was the chamberlainto the King. According to the Chachnama, the last Rai emperor,Rai Sahasi II,died through illness without issue. By that time, Chach was in complete control of the affairs of the kingdom and had developed illicit sexual relations with Sahasi's wife (queenRani Suhanadi).When Rai Sahasi II was near death, Suhanadi explained to Chach that the kingdom would pass to other relatives of the dying king in the absence of any direct heir. Consequently, they hid the news of the king's death until claimants to the throne were killed through conspiracy. Following this, Chach declared himself a ruler and later married Suhandi. This ended the Rai dynasty and began the dynasty of a Brahmin dynasty called Chach dynasty. Maharana Maharat of Chittor, the brother of Rai Sahasi II invited Chach to a duel to seek revenge from Chach for killing his brother Rai Sahasi II and for usurping the throne of Sindh. He then launched a campaign against a succession of autonomous regions; he defeated his opponents along the south bank of theRiver Beas,at Iskandah, and at Sikkah. He sacked Sikkah, killing 5,000 men and taking the remainder of its inhabitants prisoners. A significant number of these captives were enslaved, and much booty was taken. After this victory, he appointed athakurto govern fromMultan,and used his army to settle boundary disputes withKashmir.Chach also conqueredSehwan,but allowed its chief,bhutta,to remain as his feudatory.

King Chah was affected byMuslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent.

Desert areas (Registan DesertandThar Desert)

Zunbils

Turk Shahis

Kingdom of Kashmir

Kingdom of Sindh(c. 632– 711 CE)
then,Caliphal province of Sind(712-854 CE)

Maitraka Kingdom(c.475–c.776 CE)

Later, he expanded his rule into Buddhist regions across theIndus River.These efforts culminated in a battle atBrahmanabad,in which the region's governor,Agham Lohana,was killed. Chach remained in Brahmanabad for a year to cement his authority there, and appointed Agham's son Sarhand as his governor; Sarhand was also wed to Chach's niece. Chach took Agham's widow as his wife, as well.

FromBrahmanabad,he raidedSassanidterritory through the town ofUthal,marching fromUthaltoBela.He failed to extract any tribute and was forced to retreat.

Upon his death, Chach was succeeded by his brotherChandar;Chandaris stated to have ruled for eight years, whereuponDahir,Chach's eldest son, inherited the throne.

In 664CaliphUsmansent an invading army to raid and annexBharuch.This army however, shortly after setting off from its base inBalochistanwas intercepted by Maharaja Chach during its march and a battle was fought. The commander of the Sindhi forces, Narayandev was killed by the Muslim army leading to a crushing defeat for Chach and the partial annexation ofSindhby theRashidun Caliphate.

Places named after Chach

Several places along theSindhuRiver were named after Chach; among these are Chachpur, Chachar,Chachro,Chachgaon, Chachi and in Attock Punjab there is an area called Chhachh.