Lost Islamic History

1. Islamic imperialism in India: A history of conquest and cultural destruction

"Medieval India, until the Islamic invaders destroyed it, was history's most richly imaginative culture and one of the five most advanced civilizations of all times."

Destruction of a great civilization. The Islamic conquest of India, beginning in the 8th century, marked the start of a long period of cultural and religious oppression. Muslim invaders, driven by religious zeal and the desire for wealth, systematically destroyed Hindu and Buddhist temples, centers of learning, and works of art. This destruction was not merely collateral damage but a deliberate attempt to eradicate the existing culture and replace it with Islamic traditions.

Forced conversion and cultural imposition. The invaders implemented policies of forced conversion, imposing Islamic law and customs on the native population. This led to a significant decline in India's indigenous religions, particularly Buddhism, which was almost completely wiped out from its birthplace. The once-thriving intellectual and artistic traditions of India were suppressed, with many scholars and artists fleeing to other parts of the country or abroad.

2. The brutal tactics of Muslim invaders: Slaughter, enslavement, and forced conversion

"Mahmud utterly ruined the prosperity of the country and performed there wonderful exploits, by which the Hindus became like atoms of dust scattered in all direction, and like a tale of old in the mouth of the people."

Mass slaughter and enslavement. Muslim invaders employed brutal tactics to subjugate the Indian population. Massacres were common, with entire cities being put to the sword. Those who survived were often enslaved, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. The invaders justified these actions through religious doctrine, claiming they were fulfilling a divine mandate to spread Islam.

Forced conversions on a massive scale. While some conversions to Islam were voluntary, many were the result of coercion or desperation. Hindus faced severe economic and social pressures, including punitive taxation and discrimination, which often left conversion as the only viable option for survival. In some cases, entire populations were forcibly converted under threat of death or enslavement.

3. Economic exploitation and wealth extraction under Islamic rule

"To their credit, the Indians have made great strides in the study of numbers and of geometry. They have acquired immense information and reached the zenith in their knowledge of the movements of the stars (astronomy) and the secrets of the skies (astrology) as well as other mathematical studies."

Systematic plunder of Indian wealth. The Islamic rulers implemented a system of economic exploitation that drained India of its wealth. This included:

• Imposition of heavy taxes on non-Muslims (jizya)
• Confiscation of land and property
• Looting of temples and palaces
• Exploitation of India's natural resources

Destruction of indigenous economic systems. The invaders disrupted India's traditional economic structures, replacing them with systems that primarily benefited the ruling class. This led to a decline in trade, agriculture, and local industries, impoverishing large sections of the population.

4. The myth of peaceful coexistence: Hindu-Muslim relations before British rule

"The spread of Islam was military. There is a tendency to apologize for this and we should not. It is one of the injunctions of the Quran that you must fight for spreading of Islam."

Continuous conflict and tension. Contrary to popular belief, the period of Muslim rule in India was not characterized by peaceful coexistence between Hindus and Muslims. Instead, it was marked by ongoing tension, sporadic violence, and systemic discrimination against non-Muslims. The idea of harmonious Hindu-Muslim relations before British rule is largely a myth propagated by certain historians and politicians.

Religious and cultural oppression. Non-Muslims faced numerous restrictions and humiliations under Islamic rule:

• Prohibition on building new temples or repairing existing ones
• Restrictions on religious processions and festivals
• Discriminatory legal system favoring Muslims
• Social segregation and second-class citizen status for non-Muslims

5. The devastating impact of Islamic rule on Indian education and learning

"Hindu sciences have retired far away from those parts of the country conquered by us, and have fled to places which our hands cannot yet reach, to Kashmir, Benaras, and other places."

Destruction of centers of learning. The Islamic conquest led to the systematic destruction of India's renowned educational institutions, such as the universities of Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Takshashila. These centers had attracted scholars from across Asia and were repositories of vast knowledge in various fields.

Decline in scientific and philosophical pursuits. The emphasis on Islamic religious education at the expense of other disciplines led to a decline in India's scientific and philosophical traditions. Many fields of study, including astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, which had flourished in ancient India, saw a marked regression under Islamic rule.

6. Worsening of social ills: Sati, child marriage, and the caste system under Muslim rule

"The Hindu women and children went out begging at the doors of the Musalmans."

Exacerbation of existing problems. Contrary to claims that Islamic rule brought social reform, many existing social problems in Indian society worsened during this period:

• Sati (widow immolation) became more prevalent
• Child marriage rates increased
• The caste system became more rigid

New social ills. Islamic rule also introduced new social problems:

• The practice of purdah (female seclusion) spread among Hindu upper classes
• The jizya tax led to economic hardship for non-Muslims
• The thuggee cult emerged as a response to economic and social pressures

7. The Partition of India: Muslim League's role in violence and ethnic cleansing

"We will avenge Bihar in the Frontier (NWFP)"

Instigation of communal violence. The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, played a significant role in instigating communal violence leading up to and during the Partition of India in 1947. The League's "Direct Action Day" in August 1946 triggered widespread riots and killings, particularly in Calcutta.

Ethnic cleansing and forced migration. The violence surrounding Partition resulted in:

• Mass killings on both sides of the newly formed border
• Forced conversions and abductions, particularly of women
• The displacement of millions of people, creating one of the largest refugee crises in history

The Muslim League's insistence on a separate Muslim state and its tactics of inciting violence bear significant responsibility for the tragic events of Partition.

8. Tolerance and chivalry: Hindu rulers' treatment of Muslims during Islamic rule

"So far we have given sufficient time to Indian infidels. It is time to remove the darkness of infidelity (i.e., Hinduism) and illuminate the whole of universe by resplendent Islam."

Instances of Hindu tolerance. Despite centuries of oppression under Muslim rule, there were notable instances of Hindu rulers showing tolerance and even patronage towards Muslims:

• The Vijayanagar Empire allowed Muslims to practice their religion freely
• Shivaji, the Maratha ruler, respected Muslim places of worship and protected Muslim women

Contrast with Islamic rulers' policies. This tolerance stood in stark contrast to the policies of most Muslim rulers, who actively persecuted non-Muslims and destroyed their places of worship.

9. The British Raj: A comparative perspective on colonialism in India

"The British remained outsiders, aliens and misfits in India…"

Different approach to governance. While the British Raj was undoubtedly a colonial regime, its approach to governing India differed significantly from Islamic rule:

• Focus on economic exploitation rather than religious conversion
• Preservation and study of Indian cultural artifacts and traditions
• Introduction of modern education and legal systems

Legacy of British rule. The British period saw:

• Abolition of some social evils like sati and thuggee
• Development of infrastructure and modern institutions
• Unification of India as a political entity

However, it also resulted in economic drain and political subjugation of India.

Last updated: September 6, 2024