Rival Hindu Kingdoms and Sultans: Fusion of the Hindu and Muslim Civilizations

Upto the seventh century of Christian era, many invaders—Greeks, Parthians, Scythians and Huns entered India, but went back or were absorbed in the native population since ‘the Hindu social system was one of the strongest and most endurable in the world’. It was only on the arrival of the Muslim power in India that ‘Hindus were brought into permanent contact with it, which differed from them as widely as possible in almost everything and was complete antithesis of their whole system’. A new chapter opened in the Indian history as the ancient Hindu order was affected considerably. However, with the passage of time some fusion of the two civilizations took place giving rise to sufi and bhakti movements. On the eve of the Muslim appearance on the Indian scene, the country was divided into several states which were busy fighting with one another. Similarly the society comprising Hindus, Buddhists and Jains was further divided into numerous groups, on the basis of religion, caste and region. Under these favourable conditions, it became easy for Muslim invaders to succeed in their forays into India. This book deals with the vital change, as referred to above. Chapter 1 describes "Rival Hindu Kingdoms and Muhammadan Incursions". Early Turkish empire (Sultanat) and principles of non-violence, caste and hygiene as observed by Hindus are dealt next, followed by "Political Conditions under the Sultanat", and "Legal System under the Sultans", a comparative study of Hindu and Muslim laws on Homicide, Sultan’s principles of government and a chapter on "Central Government of the Sultanat". Interesting and elaborate articles on social and economic conditions under the Sultans and also its comparison with the Mughals have been included; also included are "Hindu Co-operation with Early Muslim Expansion in India" and "Muslim Kings of the Fifteenth Century and Bhakti Revival" which are both revealing and informative. The last article "Military Organisation of the Sultans" discloses the superior military organisation, training, discipline and war tactics of the Sultans as compared to the previous regimes.