DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31218#0188
THE caste sysTem OF NORTHERN iNDiA
name of the third dynasty shows to what heights a slave
could rise. M.any Hindu slaves thus became governors
or generals or wazirs. But the system had its drawbacks.
In 1387, for instance, there was a formidable rebellion of
the slaves in Delhi; whilst there is no doubt that the influ-
ence of converted, or nominally converted, Hindu slaves
in the court of the later Tughlaq kings had mucli to do
with the Hindu rebellions of that period. And when in
1561 Akbar prohibited the enslaving of prisoners taken
in war, he removed a source of constant danger to the
peace of his empire.
Secondly, the slave system had a considerable influence
on the composition of the Muslim
23. Conversion population, both by means of conversion
and of intermarriage. The custom of the
original Arab Muslims wa.s to offer a foe that had sub-
mitted, the choice of conversion or the payment of tribute;
a foe that had resisted was slain or ensiaved. It is on
record tliat Muhammad ibn Kasim actually dealt with the
Hindus in Sind in this manner. Later conquerors, how-
ever, seem to have been as a rule less fanatical. It is
said that Sultan Mahmud never attempted to make un-
willing converts; though he broke the idols, he spared
the idolators. Shahab-ud-din Ghori, on the otlier hand,
did try to force Islam 011 the Hindus. ‘Those who were
wise and acute were converted to Isiam, but those who
stood by their ancient faith were slain by the sword.’1
This statement was made of the capture of Koil, but was
cloubtless true of other towns. But there is nothing to
sbow that his successors followed his example; and, since
there were few bigots amongst them, we may reasonably
conclude that forced conversion was unusual, or even un-
known. The following quotation, which relates to the
capture of Kalinjar, probably represents what usually
happened :—‘The temples were converted into mosques
anci abodes of goodness, and the ejaculations of the bead-
counters and the voices of the summoners to prayer
ascended to the highest heaven, and the very name of
1 Quoted in Crooke, iV.-JF. Provinces of India (1897), p. 84.
174
name of the third dynasty shows to what heights a slave
could rise. M.any Hindu slaves thus became governors
or generals or wazirs. But the system had its drawbacks.
In 1387, for instance, there was a formidable rebellion of
the slaves in Delhi; whilst there is no doubt that the influ-
ence of converted, or nominally converted, Hindu slaves
in the court of the later Tughlaq kings had mucli to do
with the Hindu rebellions of that period. And when in
1561 Akbar prohibited the enslaving of prisoners taken
in war, he removed a source of constant danger to the
peace of his empire.
Secondly, the slave system had a considerable influence
on the composition of the Muslim
23. Conversion population, both by means of conversion
and of intermarriage. The custom of the
original Arab Muslims wa.s to offer a foe that had sub-
mitted, the choice of conversion or the payment of tribute;
a foe that had resisted was slain or ensiaved. It is on
record tliat Muhammad ibn Kasim actually dealt with the
Hindus in Sind in this manner. Later conquerors, how-
ever, seem to have been as a rule less fanatical. It is
said that Sultan Mahmud never attempted to make un-
willing converts; though he broke the idols, he spared
the idolators. Shahab-ud-din Ghori, on the otlier hand,
did try to force Islam 011 the Hindus. ‘Those who were
wise and acute were converted to Isiam, but those who
stood by their ancient faith were slain by the sword.’1
This statement was made of the capture of Koil, but was
cloubtless true of other towns. But there is nothing to
sbow that his successors followed his example; and, since
there were few bigots amongst them, we may reasonably
conclude that forced conversion was unusual, or even un-
known. The following quotation, which relates to the
capture of Kalinjar, probably represents what usually
happened :—‘The temples were converted into mosques
anci abodes of goodness, and the ejaculations of the bead-
counters and the voices of the summoners to prayer
ascended to the highest heaven, and the very name of
1 Quoted in Crooke, iV.-JF. Provinces of India (1897), p. 84.
174