The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c20.15

c20.15

The conquered non-Muslim was, in fact, never disarmed and the invaders’ limited number made any attempt at extending their religious ideals a highly hazardous task. Even peaceful settlement of the Muslim in the interior required armed aid. We have no account of this Muslim penetration into the countryside, but local traditions seem to have preserved the outline of this process. The following story current round the village of Newal, near Kanouj, is perhaps typical of the attitude of majority of the Hindus in the early years of the conquest. “Syed Alauddin came from Kanouj to Newal and wished to settle at Bangarmau, (modern name of the village). But the raja, named Nal, ordered him to go away and sent his servant to drive him out. On this, the saint Alauddin cursed him and the place immidiately turned upside down.” Alauddin then took up his residence at the place where he died in 1302 as is recorded in the inscription on his tomb². Ghiyasuddin Tughluq bestowed some land on a certain person but the grantee was helpless against the Hindus who refused to let him settle there and had to resort to strategem to take possession.¹ Private individuals, at great risks and often unaided by the state, colonised the rural areas and had to overcome stiff Hindu opposition².