Indias Muslim Empires

Indias Muslim EmpiresChapter 10. 4 The Delhi SultanateThe Gupta Empire fell around 550 India fragmented into smaller kingdomsRival princes battled for power over people & landArabs conquered the Indus Valley in 711Around 1000, Muslim Turks and Afghans pushed further into India fierce warriors Around 1150, the Sultan (Muslim ruler) of Ghur defeated Hindu armies across N. IndiaCreated a Sultanate from 1205-1526 Muslim rule in Northern India Delhi became their capital

Muslim RuleHow did they do it?Muslim warriors on horses were quicker than Hindu warriors on elephants Indian princes warred against each other instead of uniting against a common enemyA significant number of Hindus converted to Islam wanting to escape the Hindu caste system Mostly people from the lower castes converted

Muslim RuleWhat changed?Muslim government based on the QuranMany Muslims came from other countries to India to serve as soldiers or in the government:Turks, Persians, ArabsMajor increase in trade with Muslim countriesIncrease in scholars coming to India to create new schools, architecture, artPersian culture in Delhi particularly flourished

Sultans Lose PowerTamerlane, (also known as Timur) a Mongolian Warlord, wanted to recreate the Mongolian Empire of Ghengis Khan 1398 - he invaded India and destroyed DelhiEnslaved Persians and Indians to create his new capital in Samarkand (in modern-day Uzbekistan) Fragmented northern India was broken into rival Muslim and Hindu states

Muslims and Hindus ClashMuslim conquest of N. India Destroyed many Buddhist temples/monasteriesSignificantly contributed to decline of Buddhism as a major religion of IndiaNumerous Hindus killed or converted to avoid deathReligious differences clashed:Hinduism had evolved over 1,000s of years; many gods, many religious texts; celebrated with music and dance; accept caste system and hierarchy within religionvs. Islam newer religion; devout monotheists (belief in 1 god); had 1 sacred text; no religious hierarchy; no music/dance in worship ceremoniesBlending of CulturesToleration grew among some Muslim rulers for Hindus:Some argued that Hindus were really monotheists Allowed to practice Hinduism by paying a taxSome local rajahs (Hindu rulers) were allowed to be left in placeSome Hindus converted:Some because of a change in beliefsSome get out of the caste system Some get a better position in the Muslim government Some traders wanting to connect to the trade network in Muslim lands Muslims absorbed parts of Hindu culture Marriage customsPersian artistic styles Indian music & dance at the Sultans court Urdu new language: Blend of Persian, Arabic, and Hindi

New Religion: Sikhism Nanak Indian holy man blended Islamic & Hindu beliefs to create a new religion: SikhismBelief in the Unity of GodBelief in reincarnationRejection of the caste system

Mughal IndiaBabur led Turkish and Muslim army 1526Claimed he descended from Genghis Khan & TamerlaneConquered Northern India; destroyed Delhi Sultanate His poetry and memoirs reveal his complete trust in God and his resolution to win Established the Mughal Dynasty (1526-1857)Mughal is Persian word for MongolControlled from the Himalayas to the Deccan Plateau

Akbar the Great Chief builder of the Mughal Empire; Ruled from 1556-1605Grandson of BaburCreated strong central government (earned him the title The Great)Muslim, but had very open toleration of Hindus Consulted leaders of many faiths, promoting religious tolerance and harmonyHindus of all castes held government positionsTreated Hindu princes as equal partners in local ruleEnded tax on non-MuslimsMarried a Hindu princessProbably could not read or writeModernized the armyEncouraged international tradePaid government officials (rather than hereditary)

Successors of AkbarJahangir (juh HAHN geer) son of Akbar was weakNur Jahan wife of Jahangir Ran the government very wellLoved poetry and sports Most powerful woman in Indian history until 20th Century Shah Jahan grandson of AkbarHigh point of Mughal literature, art, architectureBuilt Taj Mahal when his wife, Mumtaz Mahal diedShe was 39 bore 14 children Son Aurangzeb captured the throne; put his father in prisonRejected Akbars tolerant policies and increased taxesClimate of discontent left the country vulnerable to European traders and conquerors