Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, A.D. 1000–1800 c16.s3.1

c16.s3.1

Side by side the efforts of the Muslim ruling classes was the proselytizing activity of the Sufi Mashaikh. It is, however, not known to what extent the Sufis were interested in the work of conversion, and this problem will be taken up in some detail at a later stage. Here it would suffice to point out that not many reliable references to their proselytizing activity are available in genuine hagiogical works. They may have helped those who showed any inclination to become Muslims. Occasionally they resorted to force also to convert people.⁵⁶