Spread of Islam into South and Southeast Asia CE

South Asia

Pre-Islamic South Asia Subject to waves of invasions Subject to waves of invasions –Nomadic peoples –Displaced peoples Most became assimilated Most became assimilated –Became Hindu or Buddhist –Became part of the caste hierarchy –Adopted the dress, food, and culture of those already there As a result, the arrival of new peoples did not significantly challenge the existing order

After the Gupta Empire India collapsed into its regional divisions India collapsed into its regional divisions –This will leave the area open to conquest by the Muslims

Islam Comes to S. Asia Early 8 th century, waves of Muslim groups begin entering India and establish foothold in the Sind Early 8 th century, waves of Muslim groups begin entering India and establish foothold in the Sind –At first, little change –conquerors promised lower taxes and greater religious tolerance –Hindus and Buddhists became dhimmis –Local elites and rulers allowed to stay in power

Exchange of Ideas Indian learning was transmitted through Muslim merchants to the west Indian advances in algebra and geometry rivaled those of Greece Arabs also began using Indian numerals (now Arabic numerals)

New Invasions 10 th and 11 th centuries Muslims invade 10 th and 11 th centuries Muslims invade –Violent, vicious, and more interested in territorial conquest –Conquered much of northern India, and established a capital at Delhi – Establish the Delhi Sultanate

Delhi Sultanate Characterized by accommodation and peaceful exchanges Characterized by accommodation and peaceful exchanges – Muslims needed Hindu elites and rulers to help them –Many conversions to Islam—most voluntary Little impression made on the Hindu community Little impression made on the Hindu community –Muslims took positions as administrators and soldiers –stayed socially aloof from their conqueror Hindus probably assumed Muslim invaders would soon become assimilated into their culture and religion –Muslims held to their own beliefs and rituals – Hinduism and Islam are two very different religions

Problem… Islam is an actively evangelical religion, with many significant differences and beliefs Conflict was bound to happen… Muslim community continued to grow Hinduism remained the majority religion The ruling elite was primarily Muslim –Hindus showed little interest in conversion

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia, 7 th and 8 th c. Significant trading area and the islands are a meeting point for merchants and traders from East Asia, India, Africa, and the Middle East to converge Significant trading area and the islands are a meeting point for merchants and traders from East Asia, India, Africa, and the Middle East to converge Muslim merchants were making their way from India into Southeast Asia –Controlled most of the trade coming in and out of India Conversion was easier than India, because no one religious system dominated the islands Conversion was easier than India, because no one religious system dominated the islands –Merchants introduced locals to the ideas and rituals of Islam and also brought Sufis to the area

Malacca Most important port in Southeast Asia Most important port in Southeast Asia –Once the Muslims “conquered” this city, Islam spread among the islands, ports, and trading villages of Southeast Asia

Resistance & Accommodation There were areas with strong Hindu and/or Buddhist traditions—many of these were resistant to Muslim incursion Islam underwent significant changes in SE Asia, incorporating some of the local beliefs and rituals –Problems later—orthodox Muslims will not accept it as true Islam

For Review Why were Muslims going to SE Asia? How was the majority of Islam spread to South and Southeast Asia?