MUSLIMS & INDIA

Muslims and India

Muslims reached the Indus Valley and were stopped in their expansion in 711AD by Indian Rulers Held them off for 300 years Turks establish control in Delhi Called the Delhi Sultanate Most important power in India until Mughal invasion in 1526

Muslims and India Turks and Afghani Muslims invade India during 10 th, 11 th and 12 th centuries. Monotheists and had contempt for Hindus (saw them as unbelievers and idol worshippers) Misunderstood caste system At first the invaders came as thieves to loot and destroy temples Mahmud ofGhazni 17 raids Killed many and destroyed out of date Hindu armies

Muslims In India Hindu tactics out of date Hindu commanders behaved like jealous rivals Sabotaged each other No consistent or unified plan or defense Hindu elephants would bolt in panic injuring the Hindus India was weak and rich Muslims set themselves up as kings; established many sultanates (independent Muslim kingdoms in India)

Muslims in India DELHI SULTANATE Most powerful state governed most of northern India and much of the Deccan plateau region Rulers were cruel, harsh but also generous and devoted to learning Firuz Shah Tughlak stopped the torture, built towns, dams, bridges After he died in 1388 – civil war

Muslims in India 1398 – Tamerlane (Timur the Lame) Turk/Mongol Exceedingly cruel Kept both Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors weak Destroyed everything within 500 miles of Samarkand (his capitol) Moved on Delhi Gutted the city; massacred everyone but women and artisans

Muslims in India Taken to Samarkand as slaves Ravaged Turkey, Syria and Iraq Delhi sultanate never regained its former power Muslim minority ruled Hindu majority very harshly Muslims saw themselves as superior Muslim women were secluded Muslims ate meat, vegetarian Hindus did not

Muslims in India A few Hindus were employed in gov’t A few converted to Islam Some customs exchanged ( i. e. purdah) Muslims lived in cities – little or no effect on Hindus who were rural Koran said it was duty to convert the infidel – Sultans used violence, social pressure and missionaries to convert Hindus Little effect Strict Muslims wanted to execute the non-converts

Muslims In India However, taxes and tribute came from the Hindus No money = bankrupt country Decided to get Hindus to revere the Muslim masters and con them into offering their gold to them Muslims had strong armies and the Hindus were not united. Not all Muslims were cruel; some were good and just some supported art, literature, architecture blending of cultures to an extent arch, dome, minaret have features from both

Muslims in India 1500 – Delhi rulers were weak and divided Tamerlane’s destruction was never repaired 1526 – Mughals (Muslim Turks) arrive and create a bigger, brighter empire.