India’s Muslim empires Islam enters India

After the Gupta empire fell in 550, rival princes battled for control. Despite the struggles, Indian culture flourished. Trade networks linked India to the Middle East, Southeast Asia and China.

The Delhi Sultanate Late 1100’s- Ghur’s sultan- or Muslim ruler, defeats the Hindu army. Made Delhi his capital His successors organized a sultanate, or land ruled by a sultan The Delhi sultanate, 1206-1526, marked the beginning of Muslim rule in Northern India

How did the Muslim’s win Muslim mounted archers had greater mobility than the Hindu forces on war-elephants. Hindu princes wasted resources by fighting each other instead of fighting against a common enemy.

How did the Muslim’s win, cont. A large number of lower caste Hindu’s convert to Islam and fight against Indian Hindu’s. It was their only hope for a better life. Islam

Muslim Rule Changes Indian Government and Society Sultans introduce Muslim traditions of government. Many Muslim’s moving to Delhi from Baghdad, Persia… Persian art and architecture with flourish

The Sultans Lose Power 1398- Tamerlane invades India. (descendent to Genghis Khan) Thousands of artisans enslaved. They are to build Tamerlane’s capital at Samarkand. Northern India is again fragmented into Hindu and Muslim states.

Buddhism declines When the Muslims took over Northern India they destroyed Buddhist monasteries This lead to the decline of Buddhism in India With many Buddhists gone, now the Muslims and Hindus will clash.

Muslim-Hindu differences Ancient religion Many sacred texts Prayed before statues representing many gods Polytheistic Islam Newer faith One single sacred text Muslims see statues as false gods Monotheistic Interesting

Blending of cultures Muslim leaders grow more tolerant of their Hindu subjects. Hindus were allowed to practice their religion as long as they paid a poll tax. Some Rajahs- local Hindu rulers, were left in place. Indian Muslims would absorb elements of the Hindu culture, such as marriage customs and caste ideas. Urdu- new language (blended Persian, Hindi and Arabic)

Sikhism- new religion in N. India Blending of Islamic and Hindu beliefs Nanak, preached the “unity of God, the brotherhood of man, the rejection of caste, and the futility of idol worship.” Sikhs would later become a military force.

Mughal India In 526 Babur- who claimed to be a descendent of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane. Leader of Turkish and Mongol armies that poured into India.

Babur founds the Mughal Dynasty In little time, Babur gets rid of the Delhi sultanate and sets up the Mughal dynasty. Ruled from 1526-1857. Mughal is Persian for Mongul

Akbar the Great Chief builder of the Mughal empire is Babur’s grandson, Akbar. Akbar created a strong central government.

Akbar He was a Muslim that won support from the Hindus because of his policy of toleration. Opened government jobs to Hindus of all castes. Hindu princes were partners in ruling the empire. Akbar would marry a Hindu princess.

More on Akbar Could not read or write. Consulted leaders of many religions. Wanted religious harmony and toleration Wants all to accept India’s diversity Modernized the army Introduced land reforms

Akbar’s successors Jahangir- Akbar’s son, would be a weaker leader than his father. Let his wife, Nur Jahan, run the government. She was an able leader and the most powerful woman in Indian history until the 20th century.

Shah Jahan- Akbar’s grandson Highpoint of Indian literature and art comes under Jahan Married to Mumtaz Mahal She died at age 39 after having 14 children. Builds a tomb for her, Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal Designed by a Persian architect Domes and minarets reflected in clear blue reflecting pools. Verses from the Quran adorn the inside walls. The greatest monument of the Mughal empire.

More on the Taj Mahal Shah Jahan planned to build a twin structure as a tomb for himself. But before he could, his son seized the throne. Shah Jahan was kept imprisoned until his death.