Establishment of Muslim

society in Subcontinent
LECTURE 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Evolution and Growth of Muslim Society in Subcontinent
• Evolution of Muslim Society
• Earlier period (Prior to 712)
• 712 to 1526
• Governing Principles of Evolution
• Evolution of Muslim Society in subcontinent with special reference
to Arab invasion.
• Reformative Movements for Islam, (Sheikh Ahmed Sarhandi, Shah
Waliullah. Syed Ahmed Shaheed, Shah Ismail Shaheed.
Evolution and Growth of Muslim Society in
Subcontinent
• Although Islam spread rapidly in the world as soon as it surfaced in the world, but it
took its root in the Indo-Pak Sub-continent in the beginning of the 8th Century A.D.
• It was during the rule of sixth Umayyad caliph, Walid bin Abdul Malak (705-715 A.D),
when an overarching incidence of ship looting occurred near Debal, a sea port. The
ships, carrying widows and children of deceased Arab soldiers, sent by the king of
Ceylon (present day Sri-Lanka) to the Umayyad Governor, Hajjaj bin Yousef, of
Baghdad were ransacked by a contingent of ferocious Hindu pirates. Hajjaj sent his
emissary to the Rajput king, Raja Dahir under whose jurisdiction the pirates carried
out the loot. The raja bluntly turned down the Governor’s claim said the pirates were
not under his sway. Hajjaj decided to send the young Imaduddin Muhammad bin
Qasim to teach the raja a lesson and release the prisoners. Muhammad bin Qasim
was the ruler of Faris when he was called back by the Governor.
Earlier period (Prior to 712)
• 712 to 1526

• Muhammad bin Qasim then led a glorious Muslim army and invaded Sindh in
712 A.D. During his short stay in Niran he was reinforced by four thousands
Jats who were long subdued by the self-righteous king. Raja Dahir came with
his 40,000 soldiers along with contingents of elephants. However, the Raja
killed in the battle field and his demoralized army retreated. Muhammad bin
Qasim not only released the prisoners along with the looted ships but also
established Islamic society/rule in Sindh. Qasim continued to expand the
Muslim society beyond Sindh. He marched up to Multan where he defeated
Raja Gor Singh. 
• During this time several changes occurred that made his expeditions slow
down and finally put a halt. Hajjaj bin Yousef had been died in 714 A.D and,
within months administrative changes wrought in Damascus. Walid bin Abdul
Malak was replaced by his brother Suleman bin Abdul Malak (715-717 A.D).
The new ruler was extravagantly luxury loving and quite incompetent for the
accession to the throne. Suleman called off the best Generals from around
their respective destinations and through intrigues executed them one by
one. These Generals brought laudable victories to Walid. They included
Qutaiba bin Muslim, the conqueror of Turkistan; Tariq bin Ziad, the
conqueror of Andalus; Musa bin Nasir, the conqueror of North Africa; and
Muhammad bin Qasim, the conqueror of Sindh. Muhammad bin Qasim was
died languishing in the prison at the age of just 22.
Evolution of Muslim Society in subcontinent
with special reference to Arab invasion
• With the passage of time rule of Umayyads finally evaporated in 750 A.D.
They were succeeded by the Abbasids. The Abbasid rulers time after time
sent their governors in the Sub-continent. According to Ibn Haukal, who
traveled extensively through the Arab domains around the middle of the 8th
Century, particularly mentioned the affluence of the people of Sindh.
Moreover, during the rule of Abbasid caliph Al-Mansur (754-775 A.D),
scholars from the Sindh were welcomed at the court of Baghdad. In the
north Islam was making inroads from Afghanistan into the north-western
region of Pakistan. Islamic missionaries were actively spreading their faith
among the tribes.
• Due to weak Abbasid ruler, who acceded to the throne later on, lost sway over the
territories of the Sub-continent at the end of 9th Century. In the 10th Century Turks
invaded the Sub-continent through renowned Khyber Pass. The most important of
them was Mahmud of Ghazni, the son of Sabuktagin the great General. Mahmud
invaded India seventeen times from 1001 to 1027 A.D; the motives behind the
attempts were not for the cause of Islam but for bounties.

After the Ghaznavids, came Ghoris headed by Muhammad Ghori. The Ghoris
ruled from 1148 to 1206 A.D. From 1206 to 1526 A.D Delhi Sultanate rose to power.
It is believed that though this period of Delhi Sultanate was politically turbulent but
the Muslim society under the Sultanate period flourished at a great length. Sufism
also made it way during this era.
• Mughals, earlier known as Mongols ruled India from 1526 A.D to 1857. This period
of Muslim rule is particularly known as the period of Muslim architecture,
literature and gave a boost to religious reformists and saints such as Sheikh Ahmad
Sirhindi, Shah Walliullah, Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Ganj Shakar, Nizam-ud-Din Chishty,
etc.

The effects of Islam on the Sub-continent were far-reaching. Islam completely

changed the living standard and style of thinking of the people of the Sub-
continent. The Muslim society gave a welcome fillip to the cultural,
economic and, social environment in the Sub-continent. Turks introduced Persian
language which intermingled with the other local languages and this gave the birth
of new language later known as Urdu. Hence, it was the period of Muslim glory in
the Indo-Pakistan Sub-continent.
Reformative Movements for Islam
  
• SHAH WALIULLAH
• SHAIKH AHMED SIRHANDI
• SYED AHMED SHAHEED
• HAJI SHAREEAT-UL-ALLAH
SHAH WALLIULLAH
Shah Walliullah was born in 1703 AD, four years before the death of Aurangzeb. His grandfather
shaikh Wajiuddin was an important officer in the army of Shah Jehan, who supported prince
Aurangzeb in the war of succession. His father Shah Abdul Rahim was a sufi and eminent
scholar who assisted in the compilation of Fatwa-I-Alamgiri.

Shah Walliullah received his early education from his father, who was his teacher as well as his
spiritual guide. Shah Walliullah committed the HOLY QURAN to his memory at an early age of
seven years, and father the death of his father in 1720 AD, when he was hardly 17 years old, he
started teaching in his father’s Madarsah-E-Rahimia and carried on this work for 12 years. He
left for Arabia for higher studies and during fourteen months of his stay in Mecca and Medina he
came into contact with the outstanding teachers of Hijaz. His favorite teacher was Shaikh Abu
Tahir Bin Ebrahim of Medina from whom he obtained his sanad in Hadis.
It is said that during his stay at Mecca Shah Walliullah had a dream in which the Holy
Prophet (P.B.U.H) commanded him to work for the re-organization and emancipation of
Muslim community in the Sub-continent. He therefore, returned to Delhi on July 9, 1732,
and started his work in real earnest.
Shah Walliullah witnessed in his lifetime about a dozen rulers occupying the throne of
Delhi. Gifted with a keen political insight he observed with deep anguish the breaking up
of Muslim power in the subcontinent. He wrote to important political figures of the time
like Ahmed Shah Abdali, Nizamul Mulk and Najibuddola to stop the rot, which had set in
the political life of Muslim India. It was on account of his call that Ahmed Shah Abdali
appeared on the field of Panipat in 1761 and put an end to the Marhatta dream of
dominating the subcontinent. His other aim was to set upon the mission of reforming the
social and political order of the day. Being a realist he diagnosed the ills, which had entered
into the body politics of the Muslim society and suggested remedies. He criticized the un-
Islamic customs, which had crept into Muslim society due to its contact with Hinduism.
The movement of political as well as spiritual regeneration of Muslim India did not die
with Shah Walliullah as his talented son Shah Abdul Aziz and his worthy disciples like
Syed Ahmed Barelvi continued spreading the message of Islam on early the same foothing.
• 
Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi:

Hazrat Mujaddid Alif- sani was born in the city of present Indian Punjab Sarhid in the month of june 1951.He
was given name ‘Mujaddid Alif-Sani on the basis of his religious services other wise his real name was Ahmad
son of Abdul Ahad.Primary education of Mujaddid Alif-Sani was completed at home but for the further
education he went for from Sarhid to sailkot where he acquired the education of Hadith from Molana Yaqoob
Kashmiri.
Hazrat Mujadid Alif Sani was an upright n saint like man. He became “mureed”(disciple) of Hazrat Baqi Billah at
the age of 21years .Hazrat Baqi Biilah,keeping the spiritual & academic position of Ahmad in view,bestowed
“Khilafat” upon him in a very young age & ordered to go from Dellhi back to his homeland Sarhid for preaching
Islam.Hazrat Baqi Billah passed away in 1602 after which Mujaddid Alif-Sani declared open war Against the
Hindu traditions & practices of ‘Kufr’.
Hazrat Mujaddid Alif-sani had to face a grave problem of a new religion ‘Deen-e-Elahi’ propounded by tmperor
he Mughal emperor Akbar.Deen-e-Elahi was introduced by Akbar in 1581 according to which he declared
himself the messenger of God on earth.Deen-e-Elahi freed the women from observing ‘pardah’ &
consequently,the whole of Muslim nation had diverted from the Islam.Hazrat Mujaddid,to face the problem of
Deen-e-Elahi & to attract people towards Islam acquired help from a ‘risaala’ entitled “Isbaat-e-Nabuwat” & the
letters.

 
• It was proved in “Isbaat-e-Nabuwat” that Muhammad(PBUH) is the last messenger of ALLAH &
no religion will be bestowed upon by God therefore, Deen-e-Elahi was misleading the people & it
was open negation of messenger-hood of Muhammad (PBUH) & no one caon remain in the era of
Islam who negates the belief that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last ‘Nabi’ & Islam is the last
religion.Hazrat Mujaddid Alif-sani,for eradicating the course of Deen-e-Elahi,wrote & sent the
letter not only to his ‘mureeds’ but also to the influential people & the rulers throughout the India.
He made the people understand that Deen-e-Elahi of Akbar was nothing but a dodge & trap.The
effect of these letters was that the ‘Ulemas’ & ‘Sufia’ prepared to face the ‘fitna’ of Deen-e-Elahi
& at last it was uprooted.
 
• After the death of Akbar, Jehangie set on the throne of Delhi.This was the period when the
influence of upright-hood of Mujaddid Alif-sani impacted the rulers,scholars & the common men
& the followers of him increased a lot.King jehangir desired to meet Mujaddid Alif-Sani & invited
him to ythe court for meeting. His invitation was accepted by Mujaddid Alif-Sani but when he
entered the royal court,he rejected to bow down before King as a mark of respect.He said that
bowing down before any person is ‘Haram’.the Ulma-e-Soo (false leaders) prepared a conspiracy
& made Jehangir these Ulema, Jehangir imprisoned Mujaddid Alif-Sani. He did not ignore his duty
evn in jail & continued to preach Islam upon the fellow prisoners due to which many prisoners
adopted Islam.
• After 2 years Jehangir realized that he did wrong so he brought Mujaddid Alif-Sani out of
jail & tendered hia apology. At last Jehangir also became ‘mureed’ of Mujaddid Alif-Sani.
SYED AHMED BRAELVI
Syed Ahmed Barelvi was born on October 24, 1786, in a famous Syed family. In his childhood
he had little inclination towards education and was very fond of exercises, he therefore,
passed his most of the time in learning and practicing in the use of arms.
 
When Syed Ahmed reached to the young age he along with his six companions proceeded
to luckhnow in search of employment but did not succeed in their aim.
 
He left for Delhi on foot in quest of knowledge where he called on Shah Abdul Aziz, a well-
known religious scholar who accepted him as his disciple and taught him QURAN and Hadis.
After completing his education, he joined the army of Amir Khan and participated in several
war campaigns. Ironically Amir Khan soon became subservient to the British government that
annoyed Syed Ahmed and thus he left him and once again returned to Delhi.
 

 
• In 1821, he went to Mecca to perform Hajj and stayed there for two
years. It is said that during his stay at Saudi Arabia he came into
contact with many scholars and revolutionaries and acquired
knowledge of the various movements of the world of Islam. So when
he returned to India he started the religious preaching.
 
• Syed Ahmed Braelvi lived at a time when Muslims were being ill
treated at the hands of Sikhs; he therefore waged Jehad against the
Sikhs rule in Punjab and northwest. In 1826 Syed Ahmed and
Mujahids made their first attack on Sikh forces, which were led by
Budhsingh, a cousion of Ranjeet Singh. Budhsingh was defeated and a
large number of Sikh soldiers were killed.
Haji Shariatullah
Haji Shariatullah (1781–1840) was an eminent Islamic reformer of the Indian subcontinent during the
Mughal Dynasty. He is known for founding Faraizi movement.
Early life
Haji Shariatullah was born in east Bengal in the village of bandorkhola, in 1761. He was the son of an
ordinary farmer. After getting his early education from his village, he went to Arabia in 1799 to perform
Hajj at an early age of 18 years he stayed there for next 19 years and was greatly influenced by beliefs of
Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab. He got education from the Madrasa al Rahimia (founded by Shah
Waliullah's father, Shah Abdul Rahim). He was the one who gave Muslims their rights in difficult times. He
had a son named Mohsin-ud-din.
Life in Saudi Arabia
He stayed there from 1799 to 1818 and got his religious education. He learnt Arabic and Persian from his
teacher, Maulana Basharat. During his stay in Arabia he came into close contact with Wahabism started by
Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab. He was really influenced by the point of views of the Wahabi Movement.
While he was in Arabia, he kept on thinking to be of help to his Muslim brothers in East Bengal.
 
 
 
Faraizi Movement
On his return to Bengal he sought to purify Islam that was impaired by the Hindu influence. The
condition of the Muslims at his return was pathetic. He saw Islam being crushed gradually from
Bengal and his people downtrodden by Hindu and British zamindars. Muslims had become
superstitious and gone astray. Islam was being invaded by non-Islamic religions, traditions, customs
and cultures. Government imposed unnecessary taxes upon the farmers and the low class. Farmers
were not appreciated for their hard work nor were given rights or money they deserved. Britishers
had crushed the Muslims economically at their arrival in subcontinent so that they could not rise
against them. They also made sure that Muslims should remain illiterate and uneducated. Thus,
Muslims became politically backward and were unaware of laws and regulations. Due to this, Haji
Shariatullah started this movement in 1818. He was sure that a revival of Islam is crucially
necessary. Haji Shariatullah awakened the Muslims of Bengal by initiating the Faraizi movement.
It was simply a peaceful protest against the cruelty of the government.Haji Shariatullah used
mosques to achive what he struggled to do. This alarmed the Hindu and British Landlords and they
exiled Haji Shariatullah to Nawabganj, accused of being behin the protest and disturbance in East
Bengal. Later he died in Dhaka district in 1840. But the movement was carried along by his son,
Mohsin-ul-Mulk, who was more learned and active in the movement than his father. He divided the
East Bengal into areas he called circles and appointed khalifas for each of them. The khalifas were
made responsible for the social, political and religious development of the circles.
SLO’S
• • Introduce students to Mehargarh, the Indus Valley and Gandhara
civilizations.
• • Students will learn the historical geography, the way of life of the people
such as their settlement patterns, art and architecture and religious beliefs
and the causes of the decline of these civilizations.
• • It seeks to inculcate in the students of Pakistan Studies a clear
understanding of the efforts made by the Muslims Ulema and Reformers for
the preservation of the Muslim identity in the Sub-continent.
• • To understand the ideological basis of Muslim struggle in the sub-
continent and be fully aware of the efforts made by Muslims Reformers for
the preservation of Muslim identity.