Islam in Southeast Asia
Islam and India
India- historically had absorbed invaders (partly b/c of superiority of
culture). Inability of India’s rulers to unite against aggressors meant
periodic disruptions- now India faces a culture as great as its own and a
new religion opposite of its own
Warriors, traders, Sufi mystics, etc. brought Islam to India
Some interaction okay but often there was conflict
711- 17 year old Muhammad ibn Qasim led campaign and declared the
region and the Indus valley provinces of the Umayyad Empire
(following an attack from pirates sailing from Sind)
Arabs learn Indian scientific and math learning (esp. numerals) and
adapt some architectural styles
2nd wave of Muslim invasions
o Mahmud of Ghazni- 962 seized Afghanistan and began two
centuries of raiding northern India
o Muhammad of Ghur – string of victories brought the Indus valley
and northern India under its control
Delhi Sultanate
Converts won easily- Sufi mystics helped , Buddhists
made up majority of converts followed by lower-caste
groups and untouchables- also intermarriage
Generally peaceful exchange and coexistence- Hindus
convinced that the Muslims would be absorbed- Hindu
disdain for invaders- remained socially aloof from
invaders- unfortunate consequences for women
Hindus found Islam impossible to absorb- reverted back to
devotional cults of gods and goddesses
Some mystics minimized the differences in religions but
could only attract a small following
Despite some success at conversion, a majority of the
Indian subcontinent was never converted
Islam in Southeast Asia
Historically the islands in SE Asia a neutral ground b/c of trade
From 8th century onward, coastal Indian trade increasingly came under
the Muslim control
13th century- collapse of the trading empire of Shrivijaya- opened the
way for the Muslims to take control
Peaceful contacts and voluntary conversion more important in
spreading faith- here trading contacts paved way for conversion
Malacca and Demak- cities to convert
B/c Sufi mystics played huge role- Islam here often infused with
Hindu, Buddhist, animist beliefs and rituals
Pre-Muslim rituals retained in many areas- women retained strong
position