Dodo Bin Khafef Soomro III Sindhiدودو بن خفيف سومرو ٽيون .Dodo Soomro was a famous ruler of Sindh.
The Soomra Dynasty ruled Sindh from 1024-1351. Their first ruler is named Al Khafif. The dynasty had Arab roots and ancestry but some married local sindhi women as well. The Ummayad Caliphs appointed Aziz al Habbari as the governor of Sindh. The Habbari dynasty was controlling Sindh under the orders of the Ummayad Caliphate. when troubles began between the Ummayads and the Abbasids, the Habbari rule became semi independent, though it still remained under the influence of the Ummayad Caliphate indirectly. Habbaris ruled Sindh until Mahmud Ghaznavi defeated the Habbari's in 1024 because Mahmud Ghaznavi, viewed the Abbasids to be the correct caliphs. Following the defeat of the Habbari's, The Abbasid caliphate made Al Khafif from Samarra the new governor of Sindh for a stronger and stable government. Al Khafif allotted key positions to his family and friends thus Al-Khafif or Sardar Khafif Soomro became the first king of the Dynasty in Sindh. Until the Siege of Baghdad (1258) the Soomra Dynasty was the Abbasid caliphate's functionary in Sindh but after that it became independent. Since then some soomra's intermarried with several local women and adopted some local customs as well.Mansura was the first capital of the Soomra Dynasty and the last of the Habbari dynasty.
Bhúngar was again succeeded by his son Dódo, who extended his rule to Nasarpúr. After a successful reign, he died leaving a grown up daughter by name Tárí and a minor son by name Sanghár. For the time Tárí took the reins of Government. When Sanghár reached the age of maturity, he replaced his sister on the throne. This young chief made some invasions in the direction of Kachh and brought the country up to Nánaknai* into his possession. At his death, as he had no issue, his widow Hímú, who was ruling in the fort of Adak managed to put her own brothers in possession of the towns of Muhammad Tùr and Tharrí.
About this period, the Soomra chief Dódo was ruling his people at the castle of Dahkah. Considering the opportunity very favourable, he collected his kinsmen and caste-fellows, invaded the country of Hímú’s brothers, and defeated and killed them. But soon afterwards, one Dádú Phattú, of the descendants of Dódo collected a large number of men and made himself the master of his forefather’s country. After a quiet reign of some years he died and was succeeded by a chief named Khairá. After Khairá, one Armel became the ruler of the place. Some people of revolted against him and killed him in conspiracy with his ministers. The head of Armel was hung on the top of the gate of the fort and Unar was proclaimed their ruler. This occurred in 752 A.H (1351 A.D.). Thus the Government of Sind passed away from the hands of Súmrahs to those of Sammahs. According to the Muntakhib Tawáríkh it was in 445 A.H. (1053 A.D.)
The Khaljis now not only wanted to replace Dodo by Chanesar; they also wanted Bhagi, Bhungar Rao's daughter by a third (regular) wife, for Alauddin. However, the Soomras would not agree to either demand. Rejecting the idea of a matrimonial alliance, they said: Tu Turk asee Soomra, ahri jor na jugai (You are a Turk and we are Soomras; such a union will not be right). In the fight that ensued, both sides suffered heavily. Dodo's son Bhungar Jr. and even Chanesar's son Nangar Nehro, fought heroically for Dodo --- and fell. Sabar Abro, a Samma chief on the Soomra side, killed Alauddin's son Syed Ghazi Salar. When Dodo was speared and raised high, he told Chanesar standing by: Even now I am above you!
Meanwhile the Khalji attack on his own land and people had induced second thoughts in Chanesar. He now began to hate Alauddin for his excesses against Sindh. He is believed to have died fighting Alauddin.
The most important aspect of this episode is that in Sindh it became a people's war. Even peasants, shepherds, cowherds, bards, faqirs, fishermen, potters and weavers joined the fray. They all said: The sword is our plough.
The Soomra ladies secretly left for the safety of Samma protection in Kutch, and Alauddin found the palace deserted. He left Sindh disgusted and disappointed.
This article includes content derived from "History of Sind - translated from Persian books" by Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg (1853-1929), published in Karachi in 1902 and now in the public domain.
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