Indian Civilization under Muslims

Al-Jahiz — a well-known Arab Muslim scholar — mentioned Indians as part of four well-known peoples of his times, next to Arabs, Persians, and Europeans, something which indicates that Arabs respected Indians and their civilization well.

A main reason for Hindus embracing Islam was the desire to escape the Hindu caste system. Another reason was the conflict between Hindus and Buddhists, where the latter usually assisted Muslims against the former.

Arabs translated Indian works from Sanskrit in Astronomy and Mathematics, most famously the Sindhind book (siddhānta) in Astronomy. Indian medicine as well was appreciated by Muslims caliphs who invited doctors from India to heal them and translated many books.

At one point, Minke, an Indian doctor, was the Chief Sanskrit translator of the famous House of Wisdom. Likewise, Ibn Dihn, another Indian doctor, was appointed head of Dar Al-Shifa Hospital in Baghdad. Historians and geographers also worked on India, as Al-Istakhri and Ibn Battuta, something which Gustave Le Bon praised Muslims for.

The Muslim presence in India enhanced the progress and transmission of culture. For example, several hospitals were built in the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq, and medicine was offered in it for free. Madrasas were established and more attention was given to the Indian women and their educational rights.

The Sultans also were keen on justice, for example, Ghiyasuddin Balban founded Dar Al-Amn for the needy and established an advanced postal system. Rulers paid attention to agriculture and peasants as well, assisted Indian trade, which benefited many, and built famous structures and mosques.

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The Spread of Islam in India

Islamic Architecture In India

Despite the Military nature of Muslim rule in India, the spread of Islam did not depend on campaigns as much as educational policies, which brought Muslim scholars from different parts of the Muslim world to India to teach Qur’an and Muslim studies.

Ibn Battuta refers to Kuttabs and Madrasas in the city of Hennur where boys and girls used to learn Qur’an. He praises the women specifically for their knowledge of the Quran. Sultans presented gifts and scholarships for whoever showed interest in Islam and/or embraced it.

A main reason for Hindus embracing Islam was the desire to escape the Hindu caste system. Another reason was the conflict between Hindus and Buddhists, where the latter usually received Muslim assistance against the former.

For example, the Jat people, who suffered Hindu oppression, joined the army of Mohamed Ibn Al-Qasim, and other tribes as well welcomed Muslim rule. Mahruk Ibn Raiq, one of the kings of Sindh, wrote to his Arab governor asking for the teachings of Islam to be explained to him in Sindhi.

British Historian Thomas Arnold says: “The humiliation Hindus of inferior status suffered others of higher one, and their irreversible position in society, encouraged them to embrace Islam where they had a free space to be, and where no such harsh distinctions and caste system existed.”

Muslims treated Hindus with care, and many Muslim rulers exerted effort bringing them closer and employing them in good positions. Hindus continued practicing their faith freely, no one interfering in their abstaining from cow meat, and denial of widows’ rights to remarriage.

Some rulers even allowed Sati — tradition whereby a wife gets cremated after her husband’s death — yet it was abolished by Firuz Tughlaq. Dar Al-Amn, mentioned earlier, was a destination for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and many Hindus praised justice of Muslim rulers, as Mohamed Ibn Tughlaq.

The military side of the Muslim rule of India, thus, tied up to the threats posed on India by pirates, foreign invasions, and those Hindu princes who wanted to maintain their social superiority.