Impact Of Islam On Indian Society – Anthropology Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.

ভারতীয় সমাজে ইসলামের প্রভাব – নৃ তত্ব নোট – WBCS পরীক্ষা।

Formalism and authoritanism dominated religions and cultural life. No innovative religions writings, ideas or commentaries were contributed by the intellectuals. The Shakas, Hunas and Gurjars put an end to the golden age of the Gupta dynasty.Continue Reading Impact Of Islam On Indian Society – Anthropology Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.

However, these foreigners gradually adopted Hindu religion and culture. These invaders called themselves descendants of the Kshatriyas. This was the beginning of Rajput culture, art, literature, poetry and drama. Malwa, Kanauji, Bengali, Kashmir, Ajmer, Gwalior, Chittor, Ranthambor and Mandu were the places not only of Rajput chivalry but also of new culture, architecture and literature. South India remained stable during this period and therefore, did not experience political disintegration like the North. The Cholas ruled the whole of Peninsular India.

The historian Tarachand, in his book, the Influence of Islam on Indian Culture, observes that social and cultural revivalism in the South was due to the impact of Islamic culture. Muslim Arabs had trade relations with South India for many centuries before the emergence of Islam in India.

Indo-Iranian maritime trade had reached its peak some of these foreign traders had even settled in Srilanka and on the cost of Malabar. Some Arab Muslims also went to Sind and Gujarat, but their impact was limited. However, from the 12th century A.D., one observes a definite impact of Islamic culture on Indian Society.

Hindu and Muslim represent two different cultures, world views and way of life. Islamic and Hindu traditions have interacted, synthesised and also remained insulated. Y Singh mentions three major stages of Islamic traditions in India. These are (1) the duration of Islamic rule in India (2) during the British domination and (3) during the Indian freedom movement upto India’s independence and the country’s partition.

The first stage is marked by conflict, tension, adaptation and cultural syncretism between the Hindu and Islamic tradition. The Muslim rulers carried out religious warfare (Jihad) with the help of Ulemas.

No doubt Muslims assimilated many Hindu practices. On the other hand Indian society and culture was influenced by Islamic tradition to a very large extent. The impact of Islam on Indian culture was both negative and positive H.V. Srinivas Murthy and S. V. Kamath have highlighted both negative and positive aspects of the impact of Islam on Indian society.

They write, “Islam was indirectly responsible for making Hindu society caste-ridden and exclusive. The Hind woman was veiled and Sati was made more strict. Child marriage became more popular.”

Negative Impact:

The Muslim occupation of India accelerated certain undesirable tendencies that had already manifested themselves in the Hindu society on- the eve of the Muslim conquest. As pointed out by K.M. Panikkar Indian society was divided on a vertical basis due to introduction of Islam and Muslim rule. Before thirteenth century, Hindu society was divided horizontally. Neither Buddhism nor Jainism could affect this division but both were easily assimilated. On the contrary, Islam split Indian society into two distinct divisions from top to bottom – Hindus and Muslims.

In due course, these two sections evolved as two separate nations in the same country. Two parallel societies were vertically established on the same soil. The proselyting zeal of Islam strengthened bonds of conservatism in the orthodox circles of their outlook and practice than what they were in past.

To fortify their position against the propagation and spread of Islam, the Hindus introduced of many social taboos and caste rules were made rigid. Under the impact of Islam continuous progress disappeared from the life of Hindus.

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