Murray T. Titus’ Indian Islam depicts the history of Islam in India from the time of the conquest of Sind by the Arabs under Muhammad bin Qasim. The manner in which Islam spread, the results of its contact with Hinduism and its reaction to modern Western ideas are exhaustively discussed. The various sects Sunnis, Shias, Ismailis, Qarmatians, Bohras, Khojahs and Roshaniyahs along with popular religious orders, the Chisti, Suhrawardi, Shattari, Qadri, Naqshbandi and Be-Shar are vividly described. The Impact of Hindu environment on Islam leading to the popularity of Sufism, saint worship, pilgrim centres and social divisions like Sayyid, Shaykh, Mughal and Pathan together with the currents generated by Islam in Hinduism which witnessed the rise of reformers like Kabir and Nanak who preached against polytheism, idolatry and caste are treated in depth. This is followed by a thorough analysis of Western political, economic and social ideas and institutions on Islam and the resultant movements, both reactionary and progressive. The appendix serves as a focus to the main theme. Scholars shall find this to be unbiased and invaluable source-book for further research.
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