The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c30.4

v3.c30.4

¹ Although the term 'Saracenic' as applied to the art of Islam has the advantage of being consecrated by long usage, the term 'Islamic' seems preferable for two reasons; first, because it was mainly the religion of Islam which gave to the Muhammadan world its common bonds of culture and art; secondly, because to the Muhammadans themselves the 'Saracens' meant nothing more than the Arab tribesmen who dwelt along the borders of the Syrian desert. Without, therefore, altogether excluding the word 'Saracenic,' Islamic will be used generally in this chapter.