INDIAS MUSLIM EMPIRES The Delhi Sultanate After the Gupta Empire fell in about 550 AD, India

India again fragmented into many local kingdoms. Rival princes battled for control of the northern plain. Indian culture continued to flourish and trade with the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and China increased. Around 1000, Muslim Turks and Afghans pushed into India. In the late 1100s, the sultan (Muslim ruler) of Ghur defeated the Hindus and made Delhi his capital. The sultan was able to conquer India because they had a superior cavalry based on speedy horses rather than elephants, Hindu princes had wasted resources battling amongst themselves, and members of the lower caste converted to Islam which preached equality. The sultans created a brilliant civilization in Delhi where Greek learning and Persian art and architecture flourished. At first religions clashed. Buddhist monasteries were destroyed and Buddhism was no longer a major religion in India. Hindus were slaughtered but eventually things calmed down. A new religion Sikhism blended Hinduism and Islam. Hinduism Belief in many gods, all part of Brahman Emphasis on religious and moral duties, or dharma Belief in cycle of birth, death, and rebirth Sikhism Belief in the unity of God Belief in Reincarnation Rejection of the caste system

Islam

Belief in one god Religious and moral duties defined by the Five Pillars Belief in heaven and hell and Judgment Day No priests; all believers are equals

Sikh boy

Mughal India In 1526 Turkish and Mongol armies passed through mountain passes into India. They were led by Babur, a military genius. Babur defeated the Delhi Sultanate and set up the Mughal Dynasty which ruled from 1526 to 1857. Baburs grandson was Akbar. He created a strong central government and was named Akbar the Great. Akbar won respect of all through religious toleration. He welcomed Hindus into government and increased the rights of Hindu citizens. He created a unified kingdom that included Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.

Akbar the Great The high point or Golden Age of Mughal literature, art, and architecture came with the reign of Shah Jahan, Akbars grandson. After Shah Jahans wife died, he built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for her. It was started in 1632 and took 20 years and 22,000 workers to complete. It is considered the greatest monument to Mughal rule.

In the late 1600s, Mughal leaders began to persecute Hindus. The economy faltered as Hindus began to revolt against Muslim rule. The climate of discontent allowed Europeans to gain trading and political power in India. By the mid 1800s, the Mughal Empire had collapsed.