Theology and history goes hand in hand and should be read by any seeker of knowledge. History is the keystone to understanding the present and the future. Learning about history has a great impact on development of critical thinking skills, fostering of empathy and cultural awareness as well as shaping of individual and group identity. Connecting past events to current circumstances gives us a unique perspective of understanding human behavior, societal changes and complexities of the world we live in. Many of the so called “unsolvable” problems of the world haven’t been approached with critical thinking either because of lack of historical context or because of ignorance of the past.

The Battle of Aror (712 CE) was fought between the Arab Umayyad Caliphate and the Indian kingdom of Pala Empire.
Mohammad Bin Qasim (MBQ) (695-715 CE) of Arab Umayyad Caliphate defeated Raja Dahir Sen (663-712 CE) of India in the Battle of Aror (712 CE). Raja Dahir and his brother Dahar-Sena had fought and replused the Arabs multiple times. But as fate would have it, the buddhists of Sindh and the local ‘Med’ tribe, who were alienated by Dahir had joined MBQ. They helped MBQ to cross Sindhu river at Nerun giving MBQ entry to Raja Dahir’s garrison.