Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, A.D. 1000–1800 c16.s3.3

c16.s3.3

Closely related to the work of missionaries is the question of voluntary conversions. There are some references in the chronicles about individual Hindus accepting Islam because of dissatisfaction with their own faith. Al Biladuri mentions such a case. "The son of (a) king fell sick, and he desired the ministers of the temple to pray to the idol for the recovery of his son...But...the youth died. Then the king attacked the temple, destroyed...the idol, and slew the ministers. He afterwards invited a party of Muhammadan traders who made known to him the unity of God...and (he) became a Musalman."⁵⁷ *Tarikh-i-Tahiri* mentions the case of the younger brother of Dalu Rai, the ruler of Sind, who, of his own accord, became a Musalman and got married at Mecca.⁵⁸ Similarly one hoping through conversion to obtain his object of love, succession to property, etc. would have voluntarily embraced Islam. Some, whose relatives had converted but who were not prepared to cut themselves off from them, too, would have followed suit. These are solid assumptions, often backed by references in Persian chronicles.