1. Islam in Southeast Asia

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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