In context of Subcontinent Dated:22-09-2013 By Muhammad Ali
Khan Evolution and Growth of Muslim Society in Subcontinent 1
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Outline Introductory Society Evolution and Growth Muslim
Society Evolution of Muslim Society o Earlier period (Prior to 712)
o 712 to 1526 o Governing Principles of Evolution Growth of Muslim
Society Mangols 1526-1757 Governing Principles of Growth Fall
1757-1857 Impacts on Subcontinent Appraisal 2
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Society People who interact in such a way as to share a common
culture The cultural bond may be ethnic or racial, due to shared
beliefs, values, and activities The term society can also have a
geographic meaning and refers to people who share a common culture
in a particular location 3
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Constituents of A Society Culture Laws Government Institutions
Religion Economy Art and Architecture Identity/Ideology Collective
Consciousness 4
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Culture Consists of the beliefs, behaviors, objects and other
characteristics common to the members of a particular group or
society Through culture, people define themselves, conform to
society's shared values, and contribute to society Culture includes
many societal aspects: language, customs, values, norms, mores,
rules, tools, technologies, products, organizations, and
institutions Institution refers to clusters of rules and cultural
meanings associated with specific social activities. Common
institutions are the family, education, religion, work, 5
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Culture "The complex way of knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws,
morals, customs, and other capabilities and habits of man".
Language Family as Unit of Society Division of labor Moral Code Art
and Architecture 6
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Muslim Society 7 Having Muslin Identity Culture Sources of Law
Ideology
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Determinants of Muslim Society Invaders Settlers /Refugees
Sufis /Ulemas/Intellectuals Reformists Movement Service Gentry
8
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Evolution of Muslim Society o Earlier period (Prior to 712) o
Pre-Muslim Civilizations o Early Links by o Traders o 712 to 1526 o
Invaders o Sufias/Ulema o Role of Service Gentry o Refuges and
Settlers 9
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Evolution(Earlier Period) Trade relations have existed between
Arabia and the Indian subcontinent from ancient times in Malabar
region, which linked them with Arab peninsula In Malabar, the
Moppilas may have been the first community to convert to Islam as
they were closely connected with the Arabs than others with the
ports of South East Asia 10
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Cont Invasion of Muhammad bin Qasim,Sindh became the
easternmost province of the Umayyad Caliphate Arab traders
transmitted the numeral system developed Muslims to India Many
Sanskrit books were translated into Arabic as early as the Eighth
century during the reign of the second Abbasid caliph al-Mansur
[754775] 11
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Three Political Centers of Muslims The first was the rich Mali
Kingdom in Africa, which attained its zenith under Mansa Musa (d.
1332) The second was the Mamluke Empire embracing Egypt and Syria
The third, and by far the most powerful, was the Sultanate of Delhi
12
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Cont The Slave Dynasty The Khiljis (1296-1316) conquered all of
India and Pakistan, from Peshawar to Malabar, an area covering more
than a million and half square miles The Tughlaqs (1316-1451)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq (d. 1351), primarily because we know a great
deal about his court through the writings of Ibn Batuta So rich was
the Delhi Sultanate that Ibn Batuta, 1335-1341, records that
whenever the Emperor passed through the streets of Delhi, the
courtiers following him threw coins of gold and silver in the
streets for the amah (common folk) use to pick It was in this
magnificent Delhi court that the final resolution of the tug-of-war
between the Sufis, the anti-Sufis, the philosophers, the doctors of
law and the ruling elite took place 13
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Invaders South- Arabs712 North-Ghouriz1196-1206 West
-Afghanis998 to 1120 14
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Iran / Mongolia: Ghazan Khan (r.1295-1304) with his wife
Kokachin at court, 13th century By the middle of the 14 th century,
trade routes between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia,
India and China, which had been cut by the Mongol invasions, had
been restored With the conversion of Ghazan the Great (1295),
Persia was back in the fold of Islam This removed the barrier to
travel by land from India to West Asia and from there to Africa and
Spain. A flexible Islam welded together a world order wherein
people and ideas traveled freely from one continent to another
15
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Settlers/ Refugees Mangools,Qureshis,Drawadian,Arayan The
Mongol devastations resulted in a substantial migration of men of
learning from Central Asia and Persia into India The influx of the
Sufis provided the spiritual momentum for the spread of Islam in
India and present Pakistan, The migration was not confined to
dervishes and Sufis A large number of Ulema and kadis also fled and
sought employment in Hindustan Others migrated further east to the
Indonesian islands 16
Role of Service Gentry 18 In Slave Dynasty Chihalgani was the
group of most important and powerful forty nobles or highly placed
officers in the court of Iltutmish Iltutmish had organized them as
his personal supporters Modern Kitchen Cabinet Influencing the
establishment of Military and Administration and Annexation of
areas
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Some Theories of Spread of Islam Muslims are descendants of
migrants from the Iranian plateau or Arabia (Settlers and Refuges)
Conversions occurred for non-religious reasons of pragmatism and
patronage such as social mobility among the Muslim ruling elite or
for relief from taxes, Conversion was a result of the actions of
Sufi saints and involved a genuine change of heart Conversion was
due to Invadors 19
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Cont. Conversion came from Buddhists and the masses conversions
of lower castes for social liberation and as a rejection of the
oppressive Hindu caste system As a socio-cultural process of
diffusion and integration over an extended period of time into the
sphere of the dominant Muslim civilization and global polity at
large 20
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Growth of Muslim Society 1526-1757 21 Period of Growth
1526-1757 Chughtai Turks Reformist Movements Role of Service Gentry
Settlers
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Invaders 22 A large number of Ulema and kadis also fled and
sought employment in Hindustan after Babur and Hamuyns return, Many
Settlers came with Babur too Reformist Movements Mujadaid Alaf Sani
Shah Wali Ullah Settlers North_West-Chughtai Turks1526 West
Afghan/Patthan1739 and 1721
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Education Ders-e-Nizami Farangi Mahal Lakhnow, Mulla
Nizam-o-Din Ideology of Life Dunya as Maya to Balance of lives
Language Persion,Urdu,Lashkari Intellectual Development Sheikh
Mubarak, Faizi,abu Al-Fazal, Shah Wali Ullah 23
Slide 24
Earlier Social System India, whose social structure was
fossilized by the caste system, was ready to accept a universal
religion like Islam The most important reason for the success of
the Sufis lay in the spiritual bent of the Indian mind by humanity,
and dignity of man Every culture produces an ARCHETYPE that
personifies the ethos of that culture. Islam introduced the concept
of Equality 24
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Role of Sufia 25
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Work of Sufis The Sufis were eminently successful not just
because of Zikr, and carity, but because they established effective
institutions to do their work in their own lifetime and to continue
it after they departed Purification by Qawwalli and Arifana Kalam,
Chanting Slogans 26
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Cont The first Moghul emperor Babur was himself a Sufi mystic.
Emperor Akbar was a murid of Shaykh Salim Chishti (Fatehpur Sikri,
d. 1572) He made annual pilgrimages on foot to the tomb of Shaykh
Salim as well as to the tomb of Khwaja Moeenuddin of Ajmer Since
the methods and processes of the Sufis have changed little over the
last thousand years, the Chishtiya order, together with its sister
Qadariya and Suhrwardi orders, provide a cultural link between
modern Islam with the Middle Ages. 27
Slide 28
services rendered by the Muslim Saints for the propagation of
Islam during the sultanate period Spreading the message of Islam
Academic persuasion- Fataqa e alamgiri by sheikh nizam ud din
Burhan puri Islamic way of justice at courts Introduced education
system in subcontinent They made society pragmatic Jizya was
abolish in the regime of khilji on recommendation of Sufiz 28
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Khanqahss role in the demonstration of Islamic idea of Tauheed
as a working principal in the social life of India 29
Slide 30
Role of Ulama and Umara in the development of Sultanate of
Delhi Geographical spread of Islam was possible due to Sufis
Introduction of mystical Islam in subcontinent They travelled from
one corner to other to spread of message of Islam Khangah, an
institution of education, shelter and peace Urs- a festival, a
social event a commerce, a chance to reinforce the message of the
sufi Lahger as help of poor and the needy 30
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Four Pillar of Sufiism Tolerance Piety and Chirsma and Purity
of Character Adaptation and Flexibility 31
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Study of origin and teaching of chastity order 32
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services rendered by sufis and Ulemas in developing the Muslim
society in the sub continent 33
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comparison between the teachings, Khanqah organization and
attitude towards the state of sufi saints of Chistiya and
suharwardi orders or silsilahs of sufism in India 34
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the teachings of suharwardi and Chistia orders 35
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Khanqah organization of suharwardi and Chistia orders 36
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Attitude towards the state of Sufi saints of Chistiya and
suharwardi orders 37
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Famous Sufis 38 Bahudin Zakria 1182-1262 Moin-ud-Deen
Chisti1142 -1236
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39
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40
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Chistia The first of the Chishti saints was Abu Ishaq Shami (d.
329 /AD 940 41), Abu Ishaq Shami established the Chishti order in
Chisht During the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq, who spread the
Delhi Sultanate southward, the Chistiyyah order spread its roots
all across India During the Mongol invasion in AD 1220 and Safavid
attack in 1509 many Chishti Sufis migrated to Uch, Ajodhan, Bhakkar
and Sehwan in Sindh The Khanzada subdivision of the Rajput clan was
converted to Islam by Chishti Sufis 41
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Teachings of Chistia Away from pom and show Aloofness from who
were in the power Avoided meeting the rulers They did not accepted
any appointment in the palace Non chalant Peaceful 42
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Shurwrdia The first of the Suhrawardi saints was Abu al- Najib
Suharwardi (490563 AH). The Suhrawardiyyah order achieved
popularity in Bengal The Qadiri order was founded by Abdul-Qadir
Gilani, whose tomb is in Baghdad. It is popular among the Muslims
of South India, Kernatka and Kerala 43
Slide 44
Qadria Qadria_The origin of this order can be traced back to
Khwaja Yaqub Yusuf al-Hamadani (b. AD 1140 It was patronized by the
Mughal rulers, as its founder was their ancestral p r, or spiritual
guide "The conquest of India by Babur in 1526 gave considerable
force to the Naqshbandiyya order, who lived in Central Asia 44
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New Class Identity in Muslim society Turk ElitesGovernance
Ulema Court, Judicial System SufisReligion
SadatsKhan/Maik/Ameens/Bureaucracy CommunityBased on Profession
45
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Role of Service Gentry Muslims Elites/Nobels Establishing the
Modern trends Used to control the masses and Influence the King
Sheikh Mubarak Abu Alfazal Sheikh Faizi 46
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Cultural Context Spread of Islam Case one By Invaders If
accepted by Elites Society became Islamic, Islam Spread Fast Local
culture was absorbed Example Iran and Africa If accepted by Common
Masses Society did not became Islamic, Islam Spread Slow Local
culture was not absorbed Example Subcontinent 47
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Cont Case two By Sufis If accepted by Elites Society became
Islamic, Islam Spread Fast Local culture was absorbed Example Iran
and Africa If accepted by Elites Assimilation of Society, Islam
Spread Slow Local culture was not absorbed Example Subcontinent
48
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Appraisal 49 Evolution of Muslim Society Early LinksTraders
IntroductionInvaders Spread and Social FabricSufis/Ulemas
Preliminary FabricAltutmash Early ConsolidationBalban Initial
Economic StabilityKhilgis
Slide 50
Growth of Muslim Society 50 Annexation and FederationBabur-The
Lion Heart Development of Infrastructure Sher Shah Suri Revenue
System Sher Shah and Akber Art, Music, ArchitectureJahangir and
Shahjahan Education and IdeologyAurangzeb Islamic IdentityAurangzeb
Cultural GrowthEarly Mughls Art and LiteratureLate Mughals
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Concluding Remarks - an Empirical Frame Work of Muslim Society
Ethnic Response Raja Dahir, Khushal khan Khatak, Muslim Identity
Sufia, Mujadad Alaf sani, Alamgir Assimilation or Synthesis Bagat
Kabir, Guru Nanak, Akber 51
Slide 52
Evolution of Muslim Society 52 o Pattern of Evolution o
Introduction by Traders/Invaders o Spread by Sufis o Early Identity
as Muslim o Cultural Identity o Art and Architecture o Struggle for
strong Military o Establishment of Administrative/Govt System o
Consolidation of Masses o Synthesis by,Bagat Kabeer and Gru Nanak
Governing Principles o Strike on cast system and Equality o Piety
and Humanitarianism by Sufis o Tolerance o Freedom of Worship
Slide 53
Growth of Muslim Society 1526-1757 53 Pattern of Growth
Building Institutions (Revenue System and Administration) Political
Maturity (Establishment of Central Govt.) Development of Collective
Consciousness (Nationalism and Muslim Nationalism) Defined Sources
of Islamic Law (Fatawa-e-Alamilgiri) Development of Islamic
Ideology (Dara v/s Alamgir) Mature Education System (Dars-e-Nizami,
Shadat-e-Amliya, Shadat-e-Fazliya) Strong Military and Political
System Social Harmony (Deen-e-Elahi) Reformist Movements (Alaf Sani
and Baqi Billah, Shah Wali Ullah) Consolidation of Muslim Identity
(Reversal of Deen-e-Elahi by Alamgir) Appointment of Qazi to
administor Muslim Law Creation of Large Educated Muslim Class
Muslim Culture
Slide 54
Factors contributing in Growth of Muslim Society 54 Strong
Military Economic Strength Social Harmony Popularity of Monotheism
Strong Court System Patronage of Art and Culture
Music,Poetry,Language,Dress,Festivals,Culinary Department,Painting
and Miniatures, Ventilated House, Treat/Party
Slide 55
Impacts Islam Introduced in this land Sultanat was one of the
three power centers of Muslim Rule Introduction of Public Policy
Economic Prosperity and growth Establishment of Early State and
Central Govt New Education System Introduction of system of
Administration and Revenue 55
Slide 56
Cont Isolation of India was broken Rise of Regional Languages
(560) Social Democracy Hospices/Khangah as unit of Development
Arrival of man of learning New Language-Lasraki Fusion of three
great Cultures/Civilizations Impacts were so strong that Hindus
Reformis movements as Anti thesis, Arya Samaj, Brhamo Samaj 56
Slide 57
Traders Economic Cultural Service Gentry Social Intellectual
Reformist Movement Religious Social Invaders Political Ideological
Sufis Social Educational Settlers/Refuges Social Economic Cultural
57
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Patterns and Governing Principles for Growth 58 Pattern of
Growth Building Institutions (Revenue System and Administration)
Political Maturity (Establishment of Central Govt.) Development of
Collective Consciousness (Nationalism and Muslim Nationalism)
Defined Sources of Islamic Law (Fatawa-e-Alamilgiri) Development of
Islamic Ideology (Dara v/s Alamgir) Mature Education System
(Dars-e-Nizami, Shadat-e- Amliya, Shadat-e-Fazliya)
Slide 59
Cont. 59 Strong Military and Political System Social Harmony
(Deen-e-Elahi) Reformist Movements (Mujadad Alaf Sani and Baqi
Billah, Shah Wali Ullah) Consolidation of Muslim Identity (Reversal
of Deen-e- Elahi by Alamgir) Patronage of Man of
Qualities/Intellectuals Appointment of Qazi to administer Muslim
Law Creation of Large Educated Muslim Class Promotion of Muslim
Culture
Slide 60
Governing Principles of Growth of Muslim Society 60 Strong
Military Economic Strength Popularity of Monotheism Effective Court
System Control by Central Government Cultural Identity Patronage of
Art and Culture
Slide 61
Impacts New Education System Sultanat was one of the three
power centers of Muslim Rule Introduction of Public Policy Economic
Prosperity and growth Establishment of Early State Introduction of
system of Administration and revenue 61
Slide 62
Cont Isolation of India was broken Rise of Regional Languages
(560) Social Democracy Hospices/Khangah as unit of Development
Arrival of man of learning New Language-Lasraki Fusion of three
great Cultures/Civilizations Impacts were so strong that Hindus
Reformis movements as Anti thesis, Arya Samaj, Brhamo Samaj 62
Slide 63
Fall of Muslim Society 1757 to 1857 It is an irony of Islamic
history that those who should have been the most liberal in their
tolerance of dissident thought, namely the philosophers, turned out
to be the most intolerant Weak Military Foreign Invasion 63