Machine summary:
Abi'l-'A» ath-Thaqafl, a Companion of the Prophet, who was governor of al-Bahrain and 'Uman during the Caliphate of 'Umar, sent this expedi• tion under the command of his brother al-Hakam b.
,Buldan is that the Indian expeditions were undertaken at the instance of 'Uthman ath-Thaqafi immediately after his assumption of the governorship of al-Bahrain and 'Urnan in 14/636, 2 or 15/63?3 as given by Abu Mikhnaf4 and al-Mada'inl.
" As the date of the Indian expeditions is contingent upon that of the appointment of 'Uthman ath-Thaqafi in al-Bahrain and 'Uman, it remains for us to as• certain the correct date of the appointment.
O. ), which has been generally quoted in conn~tion,with the -early Arab invasion of India is, in fact, the date when 'Uthrnan ath-Thaqaft, who sent the naval expedi• tions to India, is said to have been appointed governor of al-Bahrain and 'Uman (Baladhurl, loc.
H. 10 According to a~-Tabari, 'Othman ath-Thaqafi assumed charge of al• Bahrain and the outlying provinces, namely 'Uµian and al-Yamama, in 23/64311-a date which can be gleaned from al-Baladhuri also by chrono• logically arranging the tenures of the offices of the governors of al• B_alirain up to the year 23 A.
H. It may therefore be accepted that the Indian expeditions were undertaken in 23/643, immediately after 'Uthman ath-Thaqafi had assumed charge of al-Bahrain and 'Uman.
iam al-Bulddn (Vol. I, 509): "Then he ('Umar) appointed 'Uthman ath-Thaqafi governor of al-Bahrain and 'Uman, who stilt held the office at the death of 'Umar.