Guru Nanak Prakash - 2
In the beginning of the 9th century Islamic invaders started coming to India and the Indian society was already divided and weakened. Caste system didn't allow everybody to unite and fight the foreign devils. The ruling class had no respect for the downtrodden and only their vested interests were supreme. The invader were very organised and better equipped and their religious zeal to become conqueror was much stronger. When Islam was taking over the Asian continent the religious powers were vested in Khalipha or the King and he was given the title of Jileh Ilahi that means next to Allah. To win over territories and to spread Islam the power of King was necessary so he had religious sanctions to behave in any arbitrary manner with the subjects that came under his power. To humiliate non-Muslims taxes like Zazia or pilgrimage tax were collected and all non- Muslims were declared Kaffir - unfaithful who do not believe in Allah. The Khaliphas were entrusted with the religious sanctions to convert the unfaithfuls or kill them. Thus a reign of terror started and engulfed large parts of Asia. It was easy to win over India because it was already in shambles and deteriorated social conditions. Islamic ruler who had taken over India didn't have the courage for forcibly converting people here because of the large numbers and because the large population was scattered in villages and thirdly because the rulers were small in numbers and they needed their accompanying forces for military needs. To rule over the large territories and for the purpose of revenue local people were needed. The forcible conversion here was no solution because that would jeopardise their material gains. Like in other parts of Asia the social humiliation continued here. Along with these earlier Turk rulers a large number of Sufis came to India who propagated Islam in their own way. They believed in one Supreme God and human equality and they propagated the message of God by singing His praises and falling in trance while dancing to unite with Him. Since their approach was sectarian they fell away from the mainstream Islamic believers. But their sway was very strong and they lived away from villages on the graves of their earlier leaders. The activities around graves became very powerful because like Hindu Pundits they also started giving boons or punishments for any misdeeds. The strongest sway over the large number of people was that of Sarwarias who influenced and converted many tribes of Hindus into Islam particularly in Punjab region where their influence was strongest.. In the 12 th century there came another wave of Bhakti movement that was started by the downtrodden Hindus who were denied the right to enter temple and worship. These Bhaktas started infusing fighting spirit and independence into the people and commanded a large follower ship. Their mode of communication was also singing the praises of Lord.
In the beginning of the 9th century Islamic invaders started coming to India and the Indian society was already divided and weakened. Caste system didn't allow everybody to unite and fight the foreign devils. The ruling class had no respect for the downtrodden and only their vested interests were supreme. The invader were very organised and better equipped and their religious zeal to become conqueror was much stronger. When Islam was taking over the Asian continent the religious powers were vested in Khalipha or the King and he was given the title of Jileh Ilahi that means next to Allah. To win over territories and to spread Islam the power of King was necessary so he had religious sanctions to behave in any arbitrary manner with the subjects that came under his power. To humiliate non-Muslims taxes like Zazia or pilgrimage tax were collected and all non- Muslims were declared Kaffir - unfaithful who do not believe in Allah. The Khaliphas were entrusted with the religious sanctions to convert the unfaithfuls or kill them. Thus a reign of terror started and engulfed large parts of Asia. It was easy to win over India because it was already in shambles and deteriorated social conditions. Islamic ruler who had taken over India didn't have the courage for forcibly converting people here because of the large numbers and because the large population was scattered in villages and thirdly because the rulers were small in numbers and they needed their accompanying forces for military needs. To rule over the large territories and for the purpose of revenue local people were needed. The forcible conversion here was no solution because that would jeopardise their material gains. Like in other parts of Asia the social humiliation continued here. Along with these earlier Turk rulers a large number of Sufis came to India who propagated Islam in their own way. They believed in one Supreme God and human equality and they propagated the message of God by singing His praises and falling in trance while dancing to unite with Him. Since their approach was sectarian they fell away from the mainstream Islamic believers. But their sway was very strong and they lived away from villages on the graves of their earlier leaders. The activities around graves became very powerful because like Hindu Pundits they also started giving boons or punishments for any misdeeds. The strongest sway over the large number of people was that of Sarwarias who influenced and converted many tribes of Hindus into Islam particularly in Punjab region where their influence was strongest.. In the 12 th century there came another wave of Bhakti movement that was started by the downtrodden Hindus who were denied the right to enter temple and worship. These Bhaktas started infusing fighting spirit and independence into the people and commanded a large follower ship. Their mode of communication was also singing the praises of Lord.
Very informative. Thank you ji
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