An increasing number of readers of this column seem to be increasingly interested in the pre-Islamic Lahore. This is a positive feedback given that the history of our city is not taught in our schools and colleges.

Most wish to learn about the longest ruling dynasty of Lahore before Mahmud invaded our city. So as a first in a series let me dwell on the Chaach dynasty, for they fascinate given their contribution. This dynasty ruled before the last Hindu Shahi dynasty was destroyed by the Turko-Afghan invader Mahmud from Ghazni. The last of the Chaach rulers was captured by the Hindu Shahi, and for a very morally upright reason, and made a prisoner. Hence from the Chaach to the Hindu Shahi dynasty the 312-year rule of Lahore went eventfully. But let us start from the first of the Chaach (sometimes referred to as Haaj) rulers. Now who were the Chach?

The term Chach is derived from the old rulers of Upper Sindh, Aror to be exact, whose details are given in the ‘Chachnama’, a Persian 13th century narration of the conquest of Sindh by Arab invading Muslims. Since the writing of this book we have two sets of analysis, or should one say biased analysis, emerging concerning the morality-bearing of Muslim and Hindu narrations of our history. But following facts, rather than faith, is a better road to take.

The Sindhi ruler Raja Dahir was the last of the Brahmin rulers who met the Arab invading force of Muhammad bin Qasim. In the final battle at Raor near Nawab Shah, the Sindhi ruler was killed in 711 AD. His head was removed and sent to Hajjaj bin Yousuf. The remaining rulers of Chach had become Buddhist and moved up the River Indus, in the process reaching Lahore, defeating smaller armies on the way. At this point we know that the first of the Chach ruler of Lahore was Bhandara, who died aged 93 after ruling for approximately 75 years, probably the longest-serving ruler of the city and its environs.

At this stage we know that Bhandara had been an avid fire worshipper, and for this reason most historians claim that he was a Zoroastrian. But then Indian scholars believe that he was a Surya or Sun worshipper. Both cases have enough for them to believe what they want, and the history books of both claim likewise. But what is certain is that Bhandara ordered that a huge Fire/Sun Temple be built at the highest point in the walled city of Lahore. Just where was this temple?

The only condition known of Bhandara was that it should be visible all over the city, as well as from the citadel, meaning the Lahore Fort. My guess, and it’s a guess only, is that it stood where today stands the Old Waterworks, known locally as ‘Paniwala Talab’. We know that the Turko-Afghan invader Mahmud ordered that this temple be completely flattened and the entire population butchered or made slaves for sale. In pieces past I have suggested that some archaeological digging be allowed at this site to find traces of that temple.

But the Chaach dynasty seems to have suffered a strange pastime of sons imprisoning their ruling fathers. Once Bhandara was very old his son named Bharat, took over and imprisoned him. He turned out to be a very cruel ruler, and the end result was that his own son named Banrat did the same to his father. Then again his son Thanrat did the same and lastly Chandrat Bhandara was imprisoned. It seems that the rulers of Lahore had the cruel habit of imprisoning their ruling elders.

It was at that time that the powerful Hindu Shahi ruling family of Jayapala, whose kingdom stretched from Kabul to the Salt Range, learnt of this cruelty. He was outraged and asked his son Anandpala to take an army and imprison Chandrat. News of the approaching Hindu Shahi army reached the Chaach ruler of Lahore and instead of meeting Anandpala in battle he fled, leaving his army confused. They immediately surrendered and this was how the Hindu Shahi rule over Lahore was established in the year 990 AD.

It is amazing that as the army of Chandrat approached the forces of the Hindu Shahi, he sent a message to Anandpala saying “How dare you approach our kingdom”. The response was sharp: “I come as I am obedient to my father, not like you. You do not deserve to rule”. It is claimed that Chandrat laughed and instead of facing the opponent he went on a hunting expedition.

As he hunted the advance party of the Hindu Shahi captured him. The sons of Chandrat all escaped and took refuge in Jullander. Thus the 312-year rule of the Chaach, or Bhandara dynasty, came to an abrupt end and in the year 990 AD we see the Bhatti Rajput Hindu Shahi ruler, Raja Jayapala, become the ruler. Lahore and its surroundings till this day remains primarily a Rajput territory.

But let me return to Bhandara the First. We have scant descriptions, but for one manuscript from the Bengal Archives, now lying in the British Library Collection, stating that; “In Bhandara’s kingdom there was always enough wheat and food for the entire population, and that he was the most just and the population happy”. It is a vague description, but it does reflect the state of Lahore and the Chaach kingdom in those days.

By this time the Afghan invaders had captured Peshawar and defeated the forces of Jayapala. In a series of smaller skirmishes the Hindu Shahi ruler fighting on huge elephants were outclassed by fast horsemen. The sheer cruelty of the invaders depressed Jayapala, who in 1001 AD decided to hand over power to his son Anandpala, and walked out of Lahore’s Mori Gate, dripped ghee all over himself and performed the Rajput ‘johar’ by setting himself alight. If you stop outside Mori Gate even today you will see the remains of where once the Ravi flowed. Next to an ancient tree he committed ‘johar’, an act of ultimate bravery. Surely some plaque to remember him deserves to be put up there.

So we see that the last two dynasties to rule Lahore, the Chaach and the Hindu Shahi, before the Afghan invaders flattened Lahore, makes up 335 years. Then followed a series of foreign invaders with a break of 73 years of Punjabi (Sikh) rule in 1776 to 1849 when the East India Company took over thanks of treachery of their Sikh army generals, and ruled for 98 years till 1947.

In this time period starting 686 AD till 2022 AD today, is a 1,336-year time period, during which only 148 years has been local rule. The remaining 1,188 years has been foreign rule, all the result of invaders assisted by spies, traders and traitors. Our social behaviour is fashioned by the habits and traits of these foreigners. At least our rulers no longer are imprisoned by their sons … or does this have a new variant.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2022