Short Essay on the Impact of Islam to the People of India

Although Islam came to India before the invasion of Arabs, spread tremendously only during the Mughal rule. Islam had a great impact on the day-to-day life of the Hindu society. It is desirable to mention its impacts under the following headings:

(i) Religious Impact:

Before Islam, the Indian society was dominated by the Brahmanas and was synonymous with blind faith and dogmas, sacrifices and rituals of Hindu religion. The coming of Islam was a blow to the supremacy of Brahmanas.

In the later years the saints like Kabir, Guru Nanak etc. who made efforts to remove the ill- practices of Hinduism are ample evidences of impact of Islam.

(ii) Social Impact:

India was divided into several sects and class when Islam reached here. Especially the condition of those who belonged to the so-called low caste was simply pathetic. They were held untouchables.

Since Islam propounds that all human beings are equal and accordingly make no discriminations on the basis of caste or creed, Hindus in large numbers adopted Islam voluntarily.

However, even the Muslim rulers got many Hindus forcibly converted to Muslim. Islam had its deep impact on the social life too. The practice of purdah has been the result of the impact of Islam.

(iii) Cultural Impacts:

The impact of Islam could be seen on the cultural life of the Indians too. The Hindus to a great extent have adopted the thoughts and belief of Islam.

It was Islam that for the first time discountenanced all dogmatic teachings and made reason the test of faith. It has to its credit the spread of knowledge not only in India but worldwide.

(iv) Impact of Art and Literature:

No less was the impact of Islam on the contemporary Hindu society. It is well evident in the scriptures and architecture of those days.

In every country that was conquered including India, the first duty of Islam was to build a mosque in which Allah would be worshipped. Attached to the mosque was a school where people were taught to read and study the Quran.

From this initial point they enlarged the study of science, literature and art. Schools were founded, great universities established, and libraries were built, which laid the permanent foundation of knowledge.

Muslims made great contributions to the practice of music and have many glorious works of art and architecture to their credit.