India’s Muslim empires
Islam enters India
•After the Gupta empire fell in
550, rival princes battled for
control.
•Despite the struggles, Indian
culture flourished.
•Trade networks linked India to
the Middle East, Southeast Asia
and China.
The Delhi Sultanate
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Late 1100’s- Ghur’s
sultan- or Muslim ruler,
defeats the Hindu army.
Made Delhi his capital
His successors organized
a sultanate, or land ruled
by a sultan
The Delhi sultanate,
1206-1526, marked the
beginning of Muslim rule
in Northern India
How did the Muslim’s win
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Muslim mounted
archers had greater
mobility than the
Hindu forces on warelephants.
Hindu princes wasted
resources by fighting
each other instead of
fighting against a
common enemy.
How did the Muslim’s win, cont.
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A large number of
lower caste Hindu’s
convert to Islam and
fight against Indian
Hindu’s.
It was their only hope
for a better life.
Muslim Rule Changes Indian
Government and Society
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Sultans introduce
Muslim traditions of
government.
Many Muslim’s
moving to Delhi from
Baghdad, Persia…
Persian art and
architecture with
flourish
The Sultans Lose Power
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1398- Tamerlane invades
India. (descendent to
Genghis Khan)
Thousands of artisans
enslaved. They are to
build Tamerlane’s capital
at Samarkand.
Northern India is again
fragmented into Hindu
and Muslim states.
Buddhism declines
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When the Muslims
took over Northern
India they destroyed
Buddhist monasteries
This lead to the
decline of Buddhism
in India
With many Buddhists
gone, now the
Muslims and Hindus
will clash.
Muslim-Hindu differences
Hindu
Ancient religion
Many sacred texts
Prayed before statues
representing many
gods
Polytheistic
Islam
Newer faith
One single sacred text
Muslims see statues as
false gods
Monotheistic
Interesting
Blending of cultures
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Muslim leaders grow more tolerant of their
Hindu subjects.
Hindus were allowed to practice their religion as
long as they paid a poll tax.
Some Rajahs- local Hindu rulers, were left in
place.
Indian Muslims would absorb elements of the
Hindu culture, such as marriage customs and
caste ideas.
Urdu- new language (blended Persian, Hindi and
Arabic)
Sikhism- new religion in N. India
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Blending of Islamic
and Hindu beliefs
Nanak, preached the
“unity of God, the
brotherhood of man,
the rejection of caste,
and the futility of idol
worship.”
Sikhs would later
become a military
force.
Mughal India
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In 526 Babur- who
claimed to be a
descendent of
Genghis Khan and
Tamerlane.
Leader of Turkish and
Mongol armies that
poured into India.
Babur founds the Mughal Dynasty
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In little time, Babur gets
rid of the Delhi sultanate
and sets up the Mughal
dynasty.
Ruled from 1526-1857.
Mughal is Persian for
Mongul
Akbar the Great
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Chief builder of the
Mughal empire is
Babur’s grandson,
Akbar.
Akbar created a
strong central
government.
Akbar
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He was a Muslim that
won support from the
Hindus because of his
policy of toleration.
Opened government
jobs to Hindus of all
castes.
Hindu princes were
partners in ruling the
empire.
Akbar would marry a
Hindu princess.
More on Akbar
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Could not read or write.
Consulted leaders of many religions.
Wanted religious harmony and toleration
Wants all to accept India’s diversity
Modernized the army
Introduced land reforms
Akbar’s successors
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Jahangir- Akbar’s son,
would be a weaker
leader than his father.
Let his wife, Nur
Jahan, run the
government.
She was an able
leader and the most
powerful woman in
Indian history until
the 20th century.
Shah Jahan- Akbar’s grandson
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Highpoint of Indian literature and art
comes under Jahan
Married to Mumtaz Mahal
She died at age 39 after having 14
children.
Builds a tomb for her, Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
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Designed by a Persian architect
Domes and minarets reflected in clear blue reflecting
pools.
Verses from the Quran adorn the inside walls.
The greatest monument of the Mughal empire.
More on the Taj Mahal
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Shah Jahan planned to build a twin
structure as a tomb for himself.
But before he could, his son seized the
throne.
Shah Jahan was kept imprisoned until his
death.