First Muslim Conquest of Lakhnor
Summary
The article examines the first Muslim conquest of Lakhnor, identified by Dr. N. K. Bhattasali as Nagar in the Birbhum district. It challenges previous scholarly claims that Muhammad Bakhtayar Khalji established an outpost there after conquering Nadiya, arguing instead that Lakhnor remained under Sena control until the reign of Sultan Ghiyathuddin ‘Iwaz Khalji. The author disputes the assertions of Prof. Abdul Majed Khan and Dr. K. R. Qanungo, who suggested that Lakhnor was either an early outpost or was temporarily seized by the Hindu general Visnu before being reconquered. The main argument is that the Muslim conquest of Lakhnor occurred during Ghiyathuddin ‘Iwaz Khalji’s 1214 A.D. expedition, which resulted in a permanent annexation rather than a mere raid. The evidence is drawn from Muslim sources, particularly the *Tabaqat-i-Nasiri* by Minhaj, which states that Lakhnor was conquered, occupied, and administered by the Sultan. The author contrasts this with Hindu Sanskrit inscriptions, such as the Chatesvara and Bhubanesvara inscriptions, which praise the minister Visnu for heroic resistance and the killing of Muslim warriors. However, the author argues these inscriptions only describe a heroic fight and Muslim casualties, not a definitive victory for Anangabhima III. The article also critiques Dr. Qanungo’s interpretation of a *tazkir* (religious discourse) delivered by Imamzada of Firuzkoh. The author contends that Qanungo misread the context, as the *tazkir* was a routine religious discourse, not a call for *jihad* to spur the army after a defeat. Ultimately, the author concludes that the Muslim sources provide the only definitive account, confirming that Ghiyathuddin ‘Iwaz Khalji successfully conquered and annexed Lakhnor.
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Conclusion
The article conclusively demonstrates that Lakhnor was first permanently conquered and annexed by Muslims under Ghiyathuddin ‘Iwaz Khalji, refuting prior scholarly claims of a Hindu victory. It establishes that the region remained under Sena control after Bakhtayar Khalji’s initial raids, as these expeditions lacked permanent administrative arrangements and were merely temporary incursions. The study critically evaluates conflicting historical narratives, arguing that the Chatesvara and Bhubanesvara inscriptions, while celebrating the heroism of the Ganga minister Visnu and the death of Muslim warriors, do not indicate a decisive Hindu victory. Instead, they reflect standard Sanskrit panegyrics. The author highlights the misinterpretation of the term *tazkir* as a war-rallying sermon, clarifying it as a standard religious discourse. Ultimately, by reconciling the Persian text of the *Tabaqat-i-Nasiri* with the epigraphic evidence, the article affirms that Muslim territorial control was firmly established in Lakhnor only during the reign of Ghiyathuddin ‘Iwaz Khalji.