DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION Muslims and Hindus in the Delhi Sultanate This question is based on the accompanying documents (1 6). This question is designed to test your ability to work with historical documents. Some of these documents have been edited for the purposes of this question. As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of each document and any point of view that may be presented in the document. Historical Context: The Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim kingdom based mostly in Delhi that stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for 320 years (1206 1526). The sultanate declined with continuing Hindu-Muslim wars, kingdoms re-asserting their independence, and when new Muslim sultanates started breaking off to form their own kingdoms. Task: Examine the degree to which Muslims rulers were tolerant toward their non- Muslim subjects during the Delhi Sultanate. Describe the influence both cultures had on one another. [1]
Part A Documents Directions: Analyze the documents and answer the short-answer questions that follow each document in the space provided. Document 1 The period of the Delhi Sultanate will forever be known as a time of cultural and religious intermixing, where a Muslim minority ruled a Hindu majority for over 300 years. This period helped lay the foundations for a pluralistic India, as the Muslim conquerors entered a relationship with their Hindu subjects in whom they could not afford to be too harsh or too lenient. Hindus ended up being an integral part to the Sultanate s Muslim society, as evidenced by political, artistic, and economic aspects. These factors essentially forced the rulers of the Sultanate to find a balance in administering their rule over the Hindus, as they had to keep the majority of the population in check whilst giving them just enough contentment to ensure that the Sultanate ran smoothly. This policy of moderation reflects the true character of the period of the Delhi Sultanate, as it gave the world its first taste of rich Indo-Muslim culture, and it set the stage for the vast cultural pluralism that defines the modern-day Indian sub-continent Klune, C. (2013, June). The Delhi Sultanate's Treatment of Hindus. Retrieved March 22, 2016, from http://www.e-ir.info/2014/02/11/the-delhi-sultanates-treatment-of-hindus/ Document 2 All the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate pursued a discriminatory policy between their Muslim and non-muslim subjects the majority of who were Hindus. In matters of land revenue the Muslims had to pay less than the Hindus. Even the Hindu traders paid double trade tax as compared to the Muslim traders. Foreign Muslims alone were entitled high offices of the state while the Hindus and even non-muslims were not considered for them. The Hindus were unfavourably discriminated in the dispensation of justice. They had to pay the religious tax, Jizya. Restrictions were imposed on the religious pilgrimages of the Hindus. Hindu educational institutions, temples and images were destroyed, mosques were raised in their places and the religion of the Hindus was disrespected during the rule of most of the Sultans. Thus, the Hindus were not only referred to as Zimmis and Kafirs but also were treated as such in practice. Religious Policy of Delhi Sultanate. (2014, August 9). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from http://www.indianetzone.com/46/religious_policy_delhi_sultanate.htm [2]
Document 3 "Let there be no compulsion in religion:..." (Quran 2:256) "Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion." (Quran 109:6) "Truth is One, sages describe it variously." (Rig Veda, 1.164.46) NOTE: The Qu ran is the Muslim sacred text and the Rig Veda is one of the Hindu sacred texts. Document 4 Pluralism and tolerance of diversity are built into Hindu theology. India s long history is a testimony to its tolerance of religious diversity. Christianity came to India with St. Thomas in the first century A.D., long before it became popular in the West. Judaism came to India after the Jewish temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. and the Jews were expelled from their homeland. [ ] India is the only country where the Jews were not persecuted. [ ] Christians and Jews have existed in a predominant Hindu India for centuries without being persecuted. Zoroastrians from Persia (present day Iran) entered India in the 7th century to flee Islamic conquest. They are known as Parsees in India. The Parsees are an affluent community in the city of Bombay without a sense of having been persecuted through the centuries. Among the richest business families in India are the Parsees; for example, the Tata family controls a huge industrial empire in various parts of the country. Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the powerful Prime Minister of India (1966-77; 1980-84), was married to Feroz Gandhi, a Parsee (no relation to Mahatma Gandhi). Goel, M. L. (2002). RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND HINDUISM. Retrieved March 22, 2016, from http://uwf.edu/lgoel/documents/areligioustoleranceandhinduism.pdf [3]
Document 5 "Muslim society during the period was dominated by the Turkish rulers [ ]. It can be argued that most of the sultans and nobles were ultimately Turkish in origin, [...] One of the most interesting features of Islamic society during the sultanate is the long struggle of Indian Muslims Hindu and Buddhist converts or their descendants to assert themselves. [...] Although it took a long time for the Indo-Muslims to reach positions of power, local [ ] customs influenced social life and behavior at an early period. The Indian pan (betel leaf) soon became popular among the Muslims; the use of spices for seasoning food became common; and standard Muslim dishes such as pilau were transformed. The newcomers also adopted Indian headgear; but, more significantly, religious ceremonies, especially those related to marriage and death, showed a definite Indian influence. The popularity of music, as well as its forms, reflected the local atmosphere. The lives of the Muslim upper classes, especially in Delhi, were modeled on those of their Turkish and Persian counterparts, with the sports of a society that valued the horse polo, riding, racing being the chief outdoor amusements; these were the prerogatives of the rich. All classes enjoyed chess and backgammon, although the more orthodox regarded them with disapproval. [...] As for the Hindus, their social life was relatively unchanged, although during military operations they suffered losses in property and life. Even when the harsh laws of war gave place to peace, the Hindus were burdened by certain handicaps. The loss of sovereignty itself was a major loss, especially in the case of the Brahmans and the Kshatriyas. The sultanate period was more difficult for them than any other period of Muslim rule. [...] VIII. Society and Culture under the Sultanate. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00islamlinks/ikram/part1_08.html [4]
Document 6 The Somnath Temple in Gujarat was repeatedly destroyed by Islamic armies and rebuilt by Hindus. It was destroyed by Delhi Sultanate's army in 1299 CE. Somnath Temple. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/delhi_sultanate#/media/file:somnath_temple_ruins_(1869).jpg [5]
Part B Essay Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use evidence from at least four documents in the body of the essay. Support your response with relevant facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information. Historical Context: The Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim kingdom based mostly in Delhi that stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent for 320 years (1206 1526). Though there was a general animosity towards the Hindus over the period of the Sultanate, the different politics of each dynasty allowed for a little religious tolerance from Muslim officials towards Hindus. Task: Using information from the documents and your knowledge of global history, write an essay in which you: Examine the degree to which Muslims rulers were tolerant toward their non- Muslim subjects during the Delhi Sultanate. Describe the influence both cultures had on one another. Guidelines: In your essay, be sure to: Address all aspects of the Task by accurately analyzing and interpreting at least four documents Incorporate information from the documents Incorporate relevant outside information Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details Use a logical and clear plan of organization Introduce the theme by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the Task or Historical Context and conclude with a summation of the theme [6]