Islam in Southeast Asia

Islam and India India- had a history of invasions but had been able to absorb invaders (partly because of superiority of culture) Inability of India’s rulers to unite against aggressors meant periodic disruptions but no major change With the coming of Islam India faced a culture as great as its own and a new religion opposite of its own Religiously Islam more rigid than Hinduism, which tolerated varying forms of religious worship Socially Islam was egalitarian- opposite of the caste system Warriors, traders, Sufi mystics, etc. brought Islam to India Some interaction okay but often there was conflict

First Islamic Invasions 711- Pirate attack on Arab merchants near city of Sind led to counterattack by Umayyads 17 year old Muhammad ibn Qasim led campaign and declared the region and the Indus valley provinces of the Umayyad Empire Early on most inhabitants of India were treated as “dhimmi” despite no connection to monotheism and there was little effort at conversion Local officials and status of Brahmin priests remained high Arabs learn Indian scientific and math advancements (esp. numerals), medical treatments Adopt clothing and fuse Islamic and Hindu architectural styles

2nd wave of Muslim invasions As Abbasid hold over territory weakened, some Hindu rulers reasserted themselves 962 Mahmud of Ghazni- from a Turkish slave dynasty- seized Afghanistan and began two centuries of raiding northern India 12th C. sustained campaigns at gaining control over Northern India Muhammad of Ghur (of Persian descent)– string of victories brought the Indus valley and northern India under its control Capital of new Muslim Empire was Delhi For the next 300 years a succession of dynasties ruled India

Delhi Sultanate Bengal and Northwest areas of entry for Muslims, so they became places with sizeable Muslim communities Converts won easily- merchants and Sufi mystics Buddhists made up majority of converts followed by lower-caste groups and untouchables- also intermarriage Generally peaceful exchange and coexistence- Hindus took administrative positions and traded with merchants but were convinced that the Muslims would be absorbed- Hindu disdain for invaders- remained socially aloof from invaders Unfortunate consequences for women as Muslims adopt early age marriage from Hindus

Hindu Revival Hindus found Islam impossible to absorb- reverted back to devotional cults of gods and goddesses (Bhaktic cults- open to women and untouchables) Some mystics minimized the differences in religions but could only attract a small following Despite some success at conversion, a majority of the Indian subcontinent was never converted Moreover, the Muslim ulama wary of dangers Hinduism posed for Islam and worked to promote unity in the Indian Muslim community

Islam in Southeast Asia Historically the islands in SE Asia a neutral ground b/c of trade Chinese met the Indian zone Southeast Asia on its own became increasingly important for the luxury spices they had From 8th century onward, coastal Indian trade increasingly came under the Muslim control 13th century- collapse of the trading empire of Shrivijaya-centered on the strait of Malacca- opened the way for the Muslims to take control Peaceful contacts and voluntary conversion more important in spreading faith- here trading contacts paved way for conversion Malacca- trading empire replaced Shrivijaya and Demak on north coast of Java- cities to convert Port cities receptive to new faith and once they converted so did others because it was easier to conduct trade Islam didn’t make much progress in areas that were strongly Hindu or Buddhist, such as Java or Bali

B/c Sufi mystics played huge role and Islam came to SE Asia via India- Islam here often infused with Hindu, Buddhist, animist beliefs and rituals Established mosque and school centers Pre-Muslim rituals retained in many areas- women, for example, retained strong position and pre-Muslim rituals incorporated into Muslim ceremonies