India from the Guptan’s Fall India from the Guptan’s Fall (528) to the Delhi (528) to the Delhi

Sultanate’s Fall (1526)Sultanate’s Fall (1526)

Hiun Tsang at Nalanda University

Hiuen-Tsiang (a.k.a. Huen Tsang, 603-664 A.D.)

was one of the outstanding Chinese scholars who

visited India in search of knowledge. 

455 Invasions of Huns455 Invasions of Huns(ca. 455-528) Successive invasions of (ca. 455-528) Successive invasions of Huns; other Central Asian tribes destroy Huns; other Central Asian tribes destroy Gupta empire.Gupta empire.

India After the Guptan EmpireIndia After the Guptan Empire

Many small Many small kingdoms (rajputs)kingdoms (rajputs)

Local conflict over Local conflict over controlcontrol

Would not unite for Would not unite for common causecommon cause

From the 6From the 6thth century onward, century onward, successive waves successive waves of invaders made of invaders made their way into their way into South AsiaSouth Asia HunsHuns ArabsArabs TurksTurks

Harsh’a Kingdom c. 640 c.e.Harsh’a Kingdom c. 640 c.e.

HarshaHarsha

United Northern India 604-646United Northern India 604-646 Hindu who supported BuddhismHindu who supported Buddhism Warrior turned HumanitarianWarrior turned Humanitarian

Built roadsBuilt roads HospitalsHospitals Temples (Hindu and Buddhist)Temples (Hindu and Buddhist) Wrote three playsWrote three plays Brahmans tried to kill himBrahmans tried to kill him

Died without a successor, so Empire crumbledDied without a successor, so Empire crumbled

Islam Arrives in IndiaIslam Arrives in India By force—military , Arabs, mid 7By force—military , Arabs, mid 7thth

centurycentury Islam spread along the coast through Islam spread along the coast through

the trade network, Arab and Persian the trade network, Arab and Persian mariners and merchants, example, mariners and merchants, example, GujaratGujarat

Migration and invasion of Turks, 11Migration and invasion of Turks, 11thth centurycentury

Many Hindu towns surrendered willingly Many Hindu towns surrendered willingly because the Muslims promised lower because the Muslims promised lower taxes and greater religious tolerationtaxes and greater religious toleration

Arabs treated Hindus and Buddhists as Arabs treated Hindus and Buddhists as “People of the Book.” Little effort at “People of the Book.” Little effort at conversion was initially made.conversion was initially made.

Later sufis play a significant role in IndiaLater sufis play a significant role in India

Hinduism Hinduism and and IslamIslam

OpenOpen TolerantTolerant InclusiveInclusive FlexibleFlexible Caste SystemCaste System CowsCows ImagesImages musicmusic

ExclusiveExclusive EgalitarianEgalitarian seclusionseclusion VeilingVeiling PorkPork No imagesNo images No musicNo music

Indian Influences on IslamIndian Influences on Islam Hindu mathematicians and Hindu mathematicians and

astronomers traveled to astronomers traveled to Baghdad under the Abbasid.Baghdad under the Abbasid.

Medicine, music, Algebra and Medicine, music, Algebra and Geometry were translated Geometry were translated into Arabicinto Arabic

Celestial tools were copied Celestial tools were copied and improvedand improved

Hindu numerals were adopted Hindu numerals were adopted by Arabs and spread to by Arabs and spread to Europe. (Arabic numerals)Europe. (Arabic numerals)

Hindu style hospitals were Hindu style hospitals were copied by Arabs and copied by Arabs and crusaderscrusaders

Some tales in the Some tales in the Arabian Arabian NightsNights were copied from were copied from Indian literature and the game Indian literature and the game of chess passed out of India.of chess passed out of India.

Raids!Raids! Turks from Afghanistan led by Mahmud of Turks from Afghanistan led by Mahmud of

Ghazni would raid India to take treasure, Ghazni would raid India to take treasure, but was not interested in conquering. but was not interested in conquering. Monasteries (Buddhist and Hindu) were Monasteries (Buddhist and Hindu) were not protected due to lack of organized not protected due to lack of organized resistance against foreigners.resistance against foreigners.

Delhi SultanateDelhi Sultanate Persian commander Muhammad of Ghur began the Persian commander Muhammad of Ghur began the

conquest of northern India in the early 12conquest of northern India in the early 12thth century century Delhi Sultanate lasted for 300 and was ruled Delhi Sultanate lasted for 300 and was ruled

alternately by Persians, Afghans, Turks and mixed alternately by Persians, Afghans, Turks and mixed descent.descent.

Sultanate fought constantly with Mongols, Turks Sultanate fought constantly with Mongols, Turks and Hindus to control the region. So, power was and Hindus to control the region. So, power was based on large military machines. Cavalry and based on large military machines. Cavalry and war elephants were the core of this machine.war elephants were the core of this machine.

The struggle between Muslim lords and Hindu The struggle between Muslim lords and Hindu dependents greatly limited the actual control dependents greatly limited the actual control exercised by the Sultanate.exercised by the Sultanate.

Hindus will make up the majority of the military Hindus will make up the majority of the military and the bureaucracy.and the bureaucracy.

Conversion PatternsConversion Patterns Northern India had larger conversions to Islam because of point of Northern India had larger conversions to Islam because of point of

entry and Delhi Sultanate.entry and Delhi Sultanate. Hindus believed Muslims would be absorbed into the “more Hindus believed Muslims would be absorbed into the “more

sophisticated” culture of India as all other invaders had.sophisticated” culture of India as all other invaders had. Women status was lessened under both religions, Muslims adopted Women status was lessened under both religions, Muslims adopted

child marriage, prohibition of remarriage of women and some sati.child marriage, prohibition of remarriage of women and some sati. Few conversions were forced because most carriers of Islam were Few conversions were forced because most carriers of Islam were

merchants and Sufi mystics.merchants and Sufi mystics. Sufis shared much with Hindu gurus and asceticsSufis shared much with Hindu gurus and ascetics Sufis seemed to have magical healing powersSufis seemed to have magical healing powers Mosques often became centers of political powerMosques often became centers of political power Sufis organized their followers into militias to protect local areasSufis organized their followers into militias to protect local areas Sufis welcomed low-caste and outcaste Hindus to Islam (entire sub-Sufis welcomed low-caste and outcaste Hindus to Islam (entire sub-

castes sometimes converted) Low-caste converts stayed at the bottom castes sometimes converted) Low-caste converts stayed at the bottom of society, explaining why there were relatively few.of society, explaining why there were relatively few.

Most conversions came from Buddhists because of corrupt Buddhist Most conversions came from Buddhists because of corrupt Buddhist practices.practices.

No “head Tax” on believersNo “head Tax” on believers Muslims lived apart from HindusMuslims lived apart from Hindus

CasteCaste

Adapted Adapted More complex and extended More complex and extended

geographicallygeographicallyMerchants and artisans for guilds and Merchants and artisans for guilds and

subcastesubcasteMuslims gained recognition as Muslims gained recognition as

distinct groups distinct groups Caste system became securely Caste system became securely

established in southestablished in south

Qutb Minaret, Delhi, IndiaQutb Minaret, Delhi, India

Syncretic ReligionsSyncretic Religions Bhakti is a blend of Hinduism and Islam with mysticism Bhakti is a blend of Hinduism and Islam with mysticism

similar to Islam but veneration of Hindu gods such as similar to Islam but veneration of Hindu gods such as Kali.Kali.

Sikhism, also a blend of Hinduism and Islam, stressed Sikhism, also a blend of Hinduism and Islam, stressed loving devotion to G-D and a brotherhood to all. loving devotion to G-D and a brotherhood to all. Originally it tried to bridge the gap between the two Originally it tried to bridge the gap between the two faiths, but faced with persecution and the murder of its faiths, but faced with persecution and the murder of its leaders; Sikhism turned to violent means to defend itself.leaders; Sikhism turned to violent means to defend itself.

Visitors to IndiaVisitors to India Hiuen-Tsiang (a.k.a. Huen Tsang, 603-664 A.D.) was Hiuen-Tsiang (a.k.a. Huen Tsang, 603-664 A.D.) was

one of the outstanding Chinese scholars who visited one of the outstanding Chinese scholars who visited India in search of knowledge.  His India in search of knowledge.  His Hsi vü chi (Record Hsi vü chi (Record of Western Lands)of Western Lands) records exact observations in records exact observations in India (630–43) and gives priceless guidance to India (630–43) and gives priceless guidance to modern archaeology. modern archaeology.

In 1017 c.e. Alberuni (a.k.a. Al-Biruni) traveled to In 1017 c.e. Alberuni (a.k.a. Al-Biruni) traveled to India to learn about the Hindus, "and to discuss with India to learn about the Hindus, "and to discuss with them questions of religion, science, and literature, them questions of religion, science, and literature, and the very basis of their civilization". He remained and the very basis of their civilization". He remained in India for thirteen years, studying, and exploring. in India for thirteen years, studying, and exploring. He has successfully captured the time and meaning He has successfully captured the time and meaning of India in his writings. For instance he gives the of India in his writings. For instance he gives the Hindu's concept of God in Chapter II of his Hindu's concept of God in Chapter II of his Tarikh al-Tarikh al-HindHind (History of India) which is astonishingly faithful (History of India) which is astonishingly faithful to the complex definitions that the Hindus believe.to the complex definitions that the Hindus believe.

Marco Polo in the 1280’s returned to Europe by way Marco Polo in the 1280’s returned to Europe by way of Cathay in Indiaof Cathay in India

Zheng He reached Calicut between 1405-33.Zheng He reached Calicut between 1405-33.

Southern IndiaSouthern India

Islam only along coast.Islam only along coast. Peaceful conversionPeaceful conversion Islam spreads from here to Maldives, Islam spreads from here to Maldives,

Malacca and SumatraMalacca and Sumatra Women will retain a stronger role in the Women will retain a stronger role in the

family and society in general in these family and society in general in these areasareas

Sufis tolerated other beliefs being Sufis tolerated other beliefs being incorporated into Islamincorporated into Islam

Chola Kingdom (9Chola Kingdom (9thth – 13 – 13thth Century)Century)

Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646)Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646)

Vijayanagar CapitalVijayanagar Capital

VijayangarVijayangar(1336-1646)(1336-1646)

Portuguese Traders in Portuguese Traders in India (1498)India (1498)Rise of Rise of Hindu kingdom in Hindu kingdom in South India; South India; independent of independent of Muslim rulers until Muslim rulers until destruction of capital destruction of capital city in 1565.city in 1565.

Vasco da Gama

Status of Women in Southern IndiaStatus of Women in Southern India

Dr. Jyotsna Kamat

One would expect that in medieval times women were almost like domesticated pets caged in the house. Lawmaker Manu's oft-quoted statement that women are not worthy of freedom strengthens this expectation. However, the inscriptions, literary sources and sculptures of the period give an astonishingly different picture of status of women in South India in medieval times.

WomenWomen

According to B.P.Mazumbar, Northern India did According to B.P.Mazumbar, Northern India did not have any women administrators of not have any women administrators of provinces or kingdoms during this period. provinces or kingdoms during this period. Southern India had women who administered Southern India had women who administered villages, towns, divisions and heralded social villages, towns, divisions and heralded social and religious institutions. Jakkiabbe ably and religious institutions. Jakkiabbe ably administered seventy villages after the administered seventy villages after the premature death of her husband. Mailalladevi, premature death of her husband. Mailalladevi, a senior queen of Someshwara-I ruled the a senior queen of Someshwara-I ruled the important province of Banavasi comprising important province of Banavasi comprising 12000 villages.12000 villages.

There were female trustees, priestesses, There were female trustees, priestesses, philanthropists, musicians and scholars in the philanthropists, musicians and scholars in the Jainist Religion.Jainist Religion.

WomenWomen

All menial tasks like cleaning in All menial tasks like cleaning in temples and private households temples and private households were undertaken by bondmaids were undertaken by bondmaids whose position was not high in the whose position was not high in the society. society.

In addition to their household duties, In addition to their household duties, women gave a helping hand to their women gave a helping hand to their men in their vocations. The men in their vocations. The occupation of a nurse (dhatri) was occupation of a nurse (dhatri) was quite common. Women also worked quite common. Women also worked in fields in fields

womenwomen Marriage was compulsory for all the girls except for Marriage was compulsory for all the girls except for

those who opted for asceticism. Brahman girls were those who opted for asceticism. Brahman girls were married between ages 8 and 10 from sixth or century married between ages 8 and 10 from sixth or century onwards up to the modern times. onwards up to the modern times.

Purdah-veiling and seclusion adopted in upper class Purdah-veiling and seclusion adopted in upper class Hindu familiesHindu families

Sati was prevalent among certain classes of women, Sati was prevalent among certain classes of women, who either took the vow or deemed it a great honor to who either took the vow or deemed it a great honor to die on the funeral pyres of their husbands. Ibn Batuta die on the funeral pyres of their husbands. Ibn Batuta observed that Sati was considered praiseworthy by observed that Sati was considered praiseworthy by the Hindus, without however being obligatory. They the Hindus, without however being obligatory. They were not coerced. The majority of the widows did not were not coerced. The majority of the widows did not undergo Sati.undergo Sati.

Mahasati stones were erected in memory of brave Mahasati stones were erected in memory of brave women who committed Sati and are periodically women who committed Sati and are periodically worshipped. The number of such stones are a few, worshipped. The number of such stones are a few, indicating a small number of such women. There are indicating a small number of such women. There are no instances of remarriage of widows.no instances of remarriage of widows.

Ibn Batuta also felt that the plight of widows was Ibn Batuta also felt that the plight of widows was miserable. A widow was considered an inauspicious miserable. A widow was considered an inauspicious person and was prohibited from wearing colorful person and was prohibited from wearing colorful clothes, ornaments, decorate hair, as is seen from clothes, ornaments, decorate hair, as is seen from descriptions in literature.descriptions in literature.

The women of medieval Deccan were complimentary The women of medieval Deccan were complimentary to men and not competitive in all fields and they to men and not competitive in all fields and they together made a complete unit. Women faced together made a complete unit. Women faced hardships bravely, and excelled in the field of charity, hardships bravely, and excelled in the field of charity, exhibiting their sense of social service. They were exhibiting their sense of social service. They were good housewives, pursued fine arts and when given a good housewives, pursued fine arts and when given a chance, shone as good administrators and fought chance, shone as good administrators and fought battlesbattles