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Legacy of Muslim Rule in India
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 11, 2019
Quite an interesting account. Everyone should read it. This book goes through various islamic rulers we had. The amount of destruction they did is quite horrifying. For five centuries-thirteenth to seventeenth-however, most parts of India were under Muslim rule, though with varying degrees of effectiveness in different regions of the country. But at no single point of time was the whole country ruled exclusively by the Muslims. On the face of it the influence of Islam on Indian culture is to be seen in all spheres of life, in architecture, painting, music, and literature; in social institutions like marriage ceremonies, in eating habits, in gourmet and cuisine, sartorial fashions and so on. In actual fact, Hindus and Muslims lead their own lives, mostly in isolation from one another's, except for personal friendships. Even living together for a thousand years has not welded Hindus and Muslims into one people. Why is it so? Because Islam believes in dividing humanity into believers and Kafirs, the Muslim community (Ummah) is enjoined not to cooperate on the basis of equality or peaceful coexistence with Kafirs. To them, it offers some alternatives-conversion to Islam, or death, or slavery. At the most, it allows survival on payment of a poll-tax, Jiziyah, and acceptance of second class status, that of Zimmi. As a matter of fact, Muhammadans invaded India to turn it into a land of Islam and spread their culture. Islamic culture is carrier culture, borrowed from exotic streams. The main contribution of Islamic culture is the Quran and Hadis. It invaded Indian culture not to co-exist with it but to wipe it out. Its declared aim was Islamization through Jihad. But in spite of repeated endeavours through invasions and centuries of Muslim rule, India could not be turned into a Muslim country. Had India been completely converted to Islam, its people, like those of Iran or Libya, would have taken pride in organising Islamic revolutions.
For temples were not broken only during war, but in times of peace too. Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq writes: "I destroyed their idol temples, and instead thereof raised mosques where infidels and idolaters worshipped idols, Musalmans now, by God's mercy, perform their devotion to the true God".
Shams Siraj Afif writes that some sovereigns like Muhammad Tughlaq and Firoz Tughlaq were "Specially chosen by the Al-mighty from among the faithful, and in the whole course of their reigns, whenever they took an idol temple, they broke and destroyed it".
Will Durant rightly laments in Story of Civilization that "We can never know from looking at India to-day, what grandeur and beauty she once possessed."
Its history is soaked in blood of the supposed enemies of Islam. But all this is denied by Marxists who always try to cover up the black spots of Muslim rule with thick coats of whitewash.
For temples were not broken only during war, but in times of peace too. Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq writes: "I destroyed their idol temples, and instead thereof raised mosques where infidels and idolaters worshipped idols, Musalmans now, by God's mercy, perform their devotion to the true God".
Shams Siraj Afif writes that some sovereigns like Muhammad Tughlaq and Firoz Tughlaq were "Specially chosen by the Al-mighty from among the faithful, and in the whole course of their reigns, whenever they took an idol temple, they broke and destroyed it".
Will Durant rightly laments in Story of Civilization that "We can never know from looking at India to-day, what grandeur and beauty she once possessed."
Its history is soaked in blood of the supposed enemies of Islam. But all this is denied by Marxists who always try to cover up the black spots of Muslim rule with thick coats of whitewash.
January 30, 2014
A comprehensive account of the history of Muslim rule in India and the legacy it has left to us - largely negative - destruction of native Hindu culture, loot of wealth and resources from India, forced conversions to Islam, creation of long standing historical conflicts etc. etc. The book also notes the mildly positive impact on Architecture, music, arts etc.
August 26, 2019
I am simply fan of this guy. Love the way he write his history books. I will read more of his books now.
January 29, 2013
As well-known American philosopher & historian Will Durant writes, the Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in the history of humanity. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precious good, whose delicate complex of order and freedom, culture and peace, can at any moment be overthrown by barbarians invading from without or multiplying within.
December 29, 2021
Essential reading for those who want to understand Indian history.
April 3, 2025
K.S. Lal’s The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India is a historical analysis of the impact of Muslim rule on the Indian subcontinent. The book argues that, despite nearly a thousand years of Muslim presence, India retained its Hindu identity. Lal contends that Muslim rule in India was largely foreign in nature, with rulers seeking validation from the Caliphate and relying on foreign soldiers. As a result, the state that emerged was both theocratic and militaristic. He highlights the role of religious figures and the implementation of policies that, he argues, were detrimental to the Hindu population.
According to Lal, this period was marked by significant suffering for Hindus, including massacres, enslavement, forced conversions, temple destruction, and economic exploitation. For example, in 1398, Tamerlane massacred 100,000 Hindus in Delhi in a single day, forcibly converting many survivors. Other rulers notorious for their destruction of temples and large-scale massacres include Alauddin Khilji, Firuz Shah Tughlaq, and Aurangzeb. However, the author acknowledges that not all conversions were forced; many individuals converted to further their careers. One such example is the son of Raja Ganesh, the Hindu king of Bengal, who became a Muslim and subsequently converted many Hindus.
Lal also examines corruption among high-ranking officials in government service. Many amassed vast wealth, built grand palaces, and led luxurious lives, often with the knowledge of the Sultans and Emperors. However, a death duty was in place, meaning that upon an official’s death, their wealth reverted to the state, leaving their widows and children in poverty. In some cases, tax officials would even dig up gardens to search for hidden gold. I think the present Indian government could learn something from this historical precedent!!
The book paints a grim picture of the lives of peasants and artisans under Muslim rule. Observers of the time reported that they lived in extreme poverty, burdened by heavy taxation. Many lacked proper clothing, utensils, and housing. Some farmers, unable to sustain themselves, were forced to flee their land and seek refuge elsewhere, often in the jungles. Artisans also struggled, earning meagre wages for their labour. Both Sultans and Mughal Emperors, as well as Rajput kings, exploited these low wages to commission the construction of grand palaces.
Lal suggests that the survival of Hindu society was due to its strong resistance, particularly in rural areas where Muslim influence was less pronounced.
In summary, The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India presents a critical perspective on the historical impact of Muslim rule, emphasising its negative consequences for the Hindu population and its lasting effects on contemporary India.
However, in my opinion, there is no reason for this history book to be controversial or for the present Muslim population to object to it. The average Muslim in India today is not directly related to figures like Tamerlane or Aurangzeb and the events of the past should therefore be treated purely as history.
According to Lal, this period was marked by significant suffering for Hindus, including massacres, enslavement, forced conversions, temple destruction, and economic exploitation. For example, in 1398, Tamerlane massacred 100,000 Hindus in Delhi in a single day, forcibly converting many survivors. Other rulers notorious for their destruction of temples and large-scale massacres include Alauddin Khilji, Firuz Shah Tughlaq, and Aurangzeb. However, the author acknowledges that not all conversions were forced; many individuals converted to further their careers. One such example is the son of Raja Ganesh, the Hindu king of Bengal, who became a Muslim and subsequently converted many Hindus.
Lal also examines corruption among high-ranking officials in government service. Many amassed vast wealth, built grand palaces, and led luxurious lives, often with the knowledge of the Sultans and Emperors. However, a death duty was in place, meaning that upon an official’s death, their wealth reverted to the state, leaving their widows and children in poverty. In some cases, tax officials would even dig up gardens to search for hidden gold. I think the present Indian government could learn something from this historical precedent!!
The book paints a grim picture of the lives of peasants and artisans under Muslim rule. Observers of the time reported that they lived in extreme poverty, burdened by heavy taxation. Many lacked proper clothing, utensils, and housing. Some farmers, unable to sustain themselves, were forced to flee their land and seek refuge elsewhere, often in the jungles. Artisans also struggled, earning meagre wages for their labour. Both Sultans and Mughal Emperors, as well as Rajput kings, exploited these low wages to commission the construction of grand palaces.
Lal suggests that the survival of Hindu society was due to its strong resistance, particularly in rural areas where Muslim influence was less pronounced.
In summary, The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India presents a critical perspective on the historical impact of Muslim rule, emphasising its negative consequences for the Hindu population and its lasting effects on contemporary India.
However, in my opinion, there is no reason for this history book to be controversial or for the present Muslim population to object to it. The average Muslim in India today is not directly related to figures like Tamerlane or Aurangzeb and the events of the past should therefore be treated purely as history.
June 11, 2021
I recommend this book as reference book for graduate and post graduate students. Since the medieval age in Europe synchronises exactly with what we call the medieval period in Indian History, the author has compared the feudalism in Europe with that in India during sultanate and Mughal period. There were certain characteristics of the medieval age which have survived to this day among the muslims. These give an impression that muslims are still living in medieval times. Therefore, the author has rightly said that the legacy of medieval age is medievalism especially among muslims. The days of autocracy, feudalism and religious wars are over, but not so in many Islamic countries. While Christians in west are becoming modern and secular, the same can not be said about mohammadans. Even now muslim festivals and auspicious days are declared so, as was done in medieval times, after actually sighting the moon, despite the strides made in the field of Astronomy which tell years in advance when the new moon would appear. In the social sphere, Muslim women are still made to live in parda, and polygamy is practised as a manner of personal law if not as a matter of religious duty. In the political field, Muslim rule in medieval India was based on the doctrines on Islam in which discrimination against non-muslims was central to the faith. Even today Hindu shrines are broken not only in Pakistan and Bangladesh but even in kashmir or other muslim dominated places in India as a routine matter. Except for few years during Akbar rule the whole of Islamic rule in India was oppressive and tyrannical towards Hindus. Temples were not broken only during war, but in times of peace too. The book also gives brief account on historiography of Medieval India, brief history of muslim invasions in India (mainly of Mohammad-bin-qasim, mohammad gazni and mohammad ghuri), state of muslim rule in India and their allegiance to khalifa and the status and condition of upper class & their luxurious life.
February 9, 2025
#Indic
K. S. Lal begins his Preface with the following words: ‘Had India been completely converted to Muhammadanism during the thousand years of Muslim conquest and rule, its people would have taken pride in the victories and achievements of Islam and even organised panIslamic movements and Islamic revolutions. Conversely, had India possessed the determination of countries like France and Spain to repulse the Muslims for good, its people would have forgotten about Islam and its rule. But while India could not be completely conquered or Islamized, the Hindus did not lose their ancient religious and cultural moorings. In short, while Muslims with all their armed might proved to be great conquerors, rulers and proselytizers, Indians or Hindus, with all their weaknesses, proved to be great survivors. India never became an Islamic country. Its ethos remained Hindu while Muslims also continued to live here retaining their distinctive religious and social system. It is against this background that an assessment of the legacy of Muslim rule in India has been attempted…’
This is one of the most detailed historical analysis of the impact of Islamic rule on the Indian subcontinent.
Known for his critical approach, Lal explores themes such as religious conversions, cultural shifts, and socio-political transformations under various Muslim dynasties.
The book is divided into the following chapters:
1. Preface
2. Abbreviations used in references.
3. The Medieval Age
4. Historiography of Medieval India
5. Muslims Invade India
6. Muslim Rule in India
7. Upper Classes and Luxurious Life
8. Middle Classes and Protest Movements
9. Lower Classes and Unmitigated Exploitation
10. The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India
The book argues that the period of Muslim rule led to significant demographic and economic shifts, often highlighting the destruction of temples, imposition of jizya (tax on non-Muslims), and other socio-religious policies that, according to the author, shaped India's history in profound ways.
His analysis draws upon Persian chronicles and historical records, though critics often point out that his interpretation leans towards a revisionist perspective.
While the book presents a compelling narrative, it is not without controversy. Many historians argue that Lal’s work lacks nuance in its portrayal of the era, sometimes emphasizing conflict over coexistence.
Nevertheless, for readers interested in a critical perspective on medieval Indian history, this book provides valuable insights—though it is best read alongside other scholarly works for a well-adjusted understanding.
K. S. Lal begins his Preface with the following words: ‘Had India been completely converted to Muhammadanism during the thousand years of Muslim conquest and rule, its people would have taken pride in the victories and achievements of Islam and even organised panIslamic movements and Islamic revolutions. Conversely, had India possessed the determination of countries like France and Spain to repulse the Muslims for good, its people would have forgotten about Islam and its rule. But while India could not be completely conquered or Islamized, the Hindus did not lose their ancient religious and cultural moorings. In short, while Muslims with all their armed might proved to be great conquerors, rulers and proselytizers, Indians or Hindus, with all their weaknesses, proved to be great survivors. India never became an Islamic country. Its ethos remained Hindu while Muslims also continued to live here retaining their distinctive religious and social system. It is against this background that an assessment of the legacy of Muslim rule in India has been attempted…’
This is one of the most detailed historical analysis of the impact of Islamic rule on the Indian subcontinent.
Known for his critical approach, Lal explores themes such as religious conversions, cultural shifts, and socio-political transformations under various Muslim dynasties.
The book is divided into the following chapters:
1. Preface
2. Abbreviations used in references.
3. The Medieval Age
4. Historiography of Medieval India
5. Muslims Invade India
6. Muslim Rule in India
7. Upper Classes and Luxurious Life
8. Middle Classes and Protest Movements
9. Lower Classes and Unmitigated Exploitation
10. The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India
The book argues that the period of Muslim rule led to significant demographic and economic shifts, often highlighting the destruction of temples, imposition of jizya (tax on non-Muslims), and other socio-religious policies that, according to the author, shaped India's history in profound ways.
His analysis draws upon Persian chronicles and historical records, though critics often point out that his interpretation leans towards a revisionist perspective.
While the book presents a compelling narrative, it is not without controversy. Many historians argue that Lal’s work lacks nuance in its portrayal of the era, sometimes emphasizing conflict over coexistence.
Nevertheless, for readers interested in a critical perspective on medieval Indian history, this book provides valuable insights—though it is best read alongside other scholarly works for a well-adjusted understanding.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews