Islam in The Subcontinent
Islam in The Subcontinent
Islam in The Subcontinent
Islam in the
Subcontinent
Evolution of Muslim society was a unique episode in the history of subcontinent. Islam and
its interaction with Hindu-Vedic Civilization gave birth to a new civilization synthesis which
is known as Indo-Muslim Civilization.
The most conspicuous feature of this civilization was that Islam remained the dominant
trait. Another aspect regarding this evolution of Muslim society which needs to be stressed
was that this evolution was not accidental rather Muslim society evolved gradually spanning
over period of hundreds of years and it assumed a specific character.
These Arabs established a very elaborate network of dissemination of Islam which is highlighted
by L.H. Qureshi in his book 'Muslim Community in the Subcontinent he says: "The smaller
settlement had Imam Masiid (Praver leader), medium settlements had Khatibs (Jumma Praver
leader) and larger settlements had Mintis Hegal adviser in the light of Islamic Jurisprudence.
Fazał Zeeshan
2nd phase (8th to 12th century)
During the 2nd Phase, Arabs arrived amid expanding wave of Umayyad conquests during the period
if Caliph Waleed bin Abdul Malik.
With the Arab conquest of Sindh in 8th Century, Muslim society expanded between Sindh and tan
i.e. valleys of upper and lower Sindh.
The conquest of Muhammad Bin Qasim gave great impetus to the Muslim society in South Asia.
There established a direct link between Sindh and the Muslim world.
Sindh became part of Arab Empire and remained its part for next 150 years.
Even after the decline of Arab Empire when this link was severed, Sindh maintained its Islamic
entity and it became the hub of the proselytizing (try to convert) activities of the Sufis and Saints and
Sindh came to be known as 'Bab-ul-Islam' (gateway to Islam).
Later thus region was known as Sindh and Multan became the hub if Sufis hospices like Chistiya and
Suharwardiya.
Islam immensely impacted the cultural ethos of Sindh3rd Phase (12th to 16th Century):
3rd Phase (12th to 16th Century):
Muslim society expanded in a more organized manner and this process began with the Ghaznavid conquest of
Punjab in 1020-1021 A.D. and Punjab became part of Muslim Empire and Lahore emerged as the most
important cultural centre.
After the battle of Train in 1192 AD, Muhammad Ghauri established his rule in this region. Beside Muslim
conquerors there arrived Sufi and Saints.
Thus, Islam had permanent footing in this soil. Historically, this period can be divided into Sultanate and
Mughal. Both had their distinct characteristic features. For instance, polity in the Sultanate period was
dominated by Turk-Afghan elements. Sultanáte rulers tried to preserve the exclusiveness if Muslim society by
following the policies of racial and religious exclusivism.
They didn't intermingle with the people. On the other hand, Mughals polity was dominated by Persian-
Khurasanian elements.
Mughals followed relatively liberal and secular policies towards the non-Muslims.
Therefore, there took place a greater interaction between Muslim and no Muslim societies which gave birth to a
new civilization known as Indo Civilization.
But, the dominant trait of this civilization was Islam influences permeated all the aspects of culture. Muslim
society expanded the Muslim rule to North-West, East-South india.
Paths of Arrival of Islam in India
Islam entered India by three ways: first, the sea path in the coasts
of Malabar in southwest of India beside Arab Sea that was the
path of traffic of Arab merchants and passengers since the distant
past.
Second, land path in the regions of Sindh in northwest of India by
which the Muslim conquerors entered India.
Third, the land path in the borders of northwest of India adjacent
with Iran and India by which the Ajam Muslim conquerors
entered India for the first time with the commanders Thomas
Arnold writes about the acceptance of Islam by the Indians
Islam came to India from different
ways
Before the Ghaznavid dynasty, the presence and residence of
Muslim merchants and immigrants had a great role in the spread
of Islam in India.
The first phase of the arrival of Islam in India was done by the
Muslim merchants and passengers who came to that region; the
Muslims who resided in many of Indian regions forever.
Therefore, the Indian Muslims are divided into two groups: first,
the non-Indian Muslims who brought Islam to India and
Second, the followers of different Indian religions who became
Muslim with different motivation
Features of Evolution/Characteristics of
Muslim period
Most conspicuous feature-Islam remained the dominant trait Most conspicuous feature
was its Islamic identity, where these were food, cuisines, culture, fine arts, architecture,
reseptiquettes.
Moreover, Muslim society maintained its Islamic entity despite of the fact that Muslims
constituted 1/4th of the population. Despite the differences between nature of polity and
modes of governance between Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rulers.
Muslim rulers tried to preserve the ethos of Islam In spite of nature of difference between
the nature of polity and modes of governance, this reality can't be denied that Muslim
rulers whether they belonged to Sultanate era or Mughal period, they tried to preserve the
ethos of Islam by countering all the threats against the society whether these came from
Rajputs, Manhattas and Sikhs. These rulers established psychological dominance of
Muslims over non-Muslim subjects.
During the Sultanate period, Muslim Society witnessed consolidation and expansion
whereas Mughals not stabilized the tottering edifice but also expanded it to the Southern
and tern India.
Social egalitarianism:
The most crucial factor responsible for the evolution society was Islam.
It proved to be the defining feature of Muslim collective life. Islam was the only religion in the
subcontinent which successfully countered the assimilative thrust of Hinduism.
Hinduism in the past was known for its tremendous 'assimilative (absorptive) capacities.e.g. it has
absorbed all the ale cults and creeds which had entered in India in and Buddhists etc. like Sakas, Huns,
Greeks,
Therefore Islam brought a vertical division of Hindu society whereas the other regions brought a
horizontal impact.
Islam succeeded in what other religions failed and divided Hindu society into Muslims and Hindus and of
population embraced Islam
Muslims established socially equal society in the subcontinent and this social equality was liberal outlook
of the rulers as well as pluralistic teachings and accomodationistic (compromising) vision of Sufis and
saints.
It provided conducive atmosphere for the growth of Muslim society and attracted a large segment of
population towards Islam. Moreover, it provided ample opportunities for non-Muslims for social and
occupational mobility both vertical and horizontal sense.
Factors responsible for evolution:
Dynamism of Islam/Role of Islam: