Why do you think the author calls the ruler a 'foe to the Muslim faith'?
The Arab author Sulaiman called the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler a 'foe to the Muslim faith' because the Pratiharas were one of the strongest opponents of Arab expansion into India.
The Pratihara king Nagabhata I 'crushed the large army of the powerful Mlechchha king' (referring to Arab forces).
The Pratiharas successfully resisted Arab conquests for centuries, preventing the spread of Islamic rule into northern India beyond Sindh, unlike other regions where Arab conquests led to mass conversions and replacement of local institutions.
Explanation
The chapter quotes Sulaiman, a 9th-century Arab merchant, describing the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler as unfriendly to Arabs and a great foe of the Muslim faith. This reflects the successful resistance of Indian rulers, particularly the Pratiharas, against Arab expansion. The Pratiharas protected northern India from further Arab advances.
Solution Steps
The Arab author Sulaiman described the Gurjara-Pratihara ruler as a 'foe to the Muslim faith'
The Pratiharas were among the strongest opponents of Arab expansion into India
Pratihara king Nagabhata I defeated the Arab forces (referred to as Mlechchha king)
The Pratiharas successfully resisted Arab conquests for centuries
This resistance prevented the spread of Islamic rule into northern India beyond Sindh