Islam in India

Question 1

Who is Harsha? What is his significance?

Answer 1

Northern Indian emperor, grew up in Ganges, conquered northern India w/ military, expanded influence to himalayan and Chinese areas. Buddhist, supported public hospitals and land redistribution. Kingdom collapsed following assassination and regional rule. He only temporarily restored imperial rule.

Question 2

How was Islam introduced to Northern India?

Answer 2

1. Sind (IRV) conquered by Arab forces
2. Muslim merchants formed communities at ports, became absorbed into society.
3. Turkish migrants converted, moved to Afghanistan and made expeditions.

Question 3

How did Mahmud of Ghazni assert rule in north India?

Answer 3

Made expeditions with army, took advantage of political vacuum, conquered Punjab/NW India, capital at Ghazni patronized liberal arts, destroyed Hindu and Buddhist buildings. He was an iconoclast who attacked the Hindu idols. He is significant because he was able to re-establish some sort of rule but lashed out against other religions.

Question 4

Describe the Sultanate of Delhi and how it ruled

Answer 4

Founded by Mahmud’s successors, capital at Delhi (controlled access between Ganges and Punjab), had no permanent government, unable to extend influence due to existing Hindu kingdoms. Patronized liberal arts; many buildings. Were not iconoclasts, did not enforce Sharia, allowed Hindu kings to still rule. Religious tolerance, veneer of islam, filed vacuum.

Question 5

Describe the stability of southern India.

Answer 5

Politically divided but relatively peaceful.

Question 6

Describe the Chola kingdom

Answer 6

Ruled Coromandel coast (E. India), Ceylon, parts of SE Asia

Question 7

Describe the economic role of Hindu temples in S India.

Answer 7

Critical to economy.

Question 8

Describe the Vijayanagar kingdom

Answer 8

Est. when brothers sent to implement policies in the south, renounced Islam and est. kingdom, based in northern Deccan, fell to alliance of Muslim rulers.

Question 9

What was India unable to accomplish politically?

Answer 9

Centralized imperial rule and organized large scale public life.

Question 10

Describe the monsoons

Answer 10

Created heavy rains during spring and summer months, hot and dry during the autumn and winter. Created need for irrigation

Question 11

Describe irrigation

Answer 11

No major river so built reservoirs, dams, wells. Required large-scale labor.

Question 12

Effect of agriculture

Answer 12

Population growth to 105 million, urbanization took place.

Question 13

Describe trade in Southern India

Answer 13

Self sufficient in staple crops but traded metals and spices.

Question 14

Why did S India develop economically?

Answer 14

Trade with S Asia, escaped chaos in north, temples economic enters, agriculture and urbanization.

Question 15

Describe the temples in S India

Answer 15

Ec. and soc. centers, organized agriculture, provided education, owned land, hired employees, maintained order, delivered taxes. Participated in economic ventures.

Question 16

Describe Indian Ocean trade

Answer 16

Large ships, cargo capacities, adopted Chinese innovations, emporia in India. Merchants from Persia, Africa, S Asia. Web of transportation, communication, and exchange

Question 17

How did Islam impact the political aspect of India?

Answer 17

Islam tolerated Hindu beliefs following Mahmud, allowed rulers to keep regional rule. Islam filled vacuum and stimulated the area. Sultanate of Delhi also sent two brothers to south who formed own kingdom of Vijayanagar. All attempts at government stemmed from Islam. Sultanate could not expand due to Hindu resistance and always needed leaders’ support. No trade conflicts.

Question 18

Describe Indian impact in S Asia

Answer 18

Merchants brought religion and states sponsored Hinduism and Buddhism. Adopted Indian style king and court. SE Asia had many products such as spices which they traded with India (textiles). SE Asia had products, India had trade methods. Adopted Sanskrit; stimulated ec. development

Question 19

Describe caste development

Answer 19

Became more economic oriented- merchant guilds formed; maintained order in absence of strong gov’t by providing guidance on rules and relationships. Integrated Turkish migrants; spread to south.

Question 20

Describe devotional cults

Answer 20

Created when towns sought to venerate spirits/deities associated with Vishnu and Shiva; wanted to achieve mystic union with gods- grace & salvation.

Question 21

Describe the Bhakti movement

Answer 21

Originated as Hindu cult but leaders became attracted by monotheism and equality. Cult of love and devotion dedicated to erasing distinction between Hinduism and Islam. Unsuccessful in harmonizing the religions.

Question 22

Guru Kabir

Answer 22

Bhakti scholar; held that Allah, Shiva, and Vishnu were all manifestations of one god.

Question 23

Describe Funan, Melaka, Srivajaya

Answer 23

SE Asia nations that controlled maritime trade between China and India, levied taxes, adopted Islam and Hinduism in their courts.

Question 24

Describe Angkor

Answer 24

Capital was a microcosmic reflection of Hindu world order. Also adopted Buddhism

Question 25

Describe Sufi missionaries

Answer 25

Allowed converts in SE Asia to retain customs while adopting Islamic values

Question 26

Appeal of Islam

Answer 26

Recognized equality of all believers

Question 27

How did southern kingdoms maintain order?

Answer 27

Navy dominated waters, profited from trade, local governments had autonomy.