Indian Muslims: Who are they
Encyclopedia
Indian Muslims: Who are they is a book by K.S. Lal published in 1990.
The book studies the growth of the Muslim population during the time of Mahmud of Ghazni
, during the Delhi Sultanate
and during the Mughal Empire
.
and Prof. S.A.A. Rizvi who think that such claims are "latter-day fabrications". Lal says that "while it would not be safe to declare that hardly any conversions through peaceful methods were effected by the Sufi Mashaikh in India, it has also to be admitted that not many reliable references to their proselytizing activity are available in genuine hagiological works. ... the Mashaikh were probably responsible only for stray and individual conversions and their contribution to the growth of Muslim population may not have been much."
It has been claimed by some historians that many Hindus converted to Islam because of the Caste system. But Lal argues that "contemporary evidence does not speak of low caste as a factor contributing to conversions to Islam" But he adds that because "Muslim regime and society provided people with new avenues of employment" many people of low caste converted.
The book studies the growth of the Muslim population during the time of Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni , actually ', was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty who ruled from 997 until his death in 1030 in the eastern Iranian lands. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of Ghazni into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's Iran,...
, during the Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate is a term used to cover five short-lived, Delhi based kingdoms or sultanates, of Turkic origin in medieval India. The sultanates ruled from Delhi between 1206 and 1526, when the last was replaced by the Mughal dynasty...
and during the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
.
Conversion
The effect of conversions and the Muslim missionaries is discussed by Lal. It has been claimed that many converted to Islam in India because of the work of Sufis. However, K.S. Lal quotes Mohammad HabibMohammad Habib
Mohammad Habib was an Indian historian. He was a Professor Emeritus at Aligarh Muslim University.-Biography:He belonged to the illustrious family of Mohammed Nasim, a leading advocate in Lucknow. His brother Mohammad Mujeeb was Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia from 1948 to 1973...
and Prof. S.A.A. Rizvi who think that such claims are "latter-day fabrications". Lal says that "while it would not be safe to declare that hardly any conversions through peaceful methods were effected by the Sufi Mashaikh in India, it has also to be admitted that not many reliable references to their proselytizing activity are available in genuine hagiological works. ... the Mashaikh were probably responsible only for stray and individual conversions and their contribution to the growth of Muslim population may not have been much."
It has been claimed by some historians that many Hindus converted to Islam because of the Caste system. But Lal argues that "contemporary evidence does not speak of low caste as a factor contributing to conversions to Islam" But he adds that because "Muslim regime and society provided people with new avenues of employment" many people of low caste converted.