Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, A.D. 1000–1800 c8.30

c8.30

But this analysis contains many fallacies. To us ancient society might look traditional or static as "when we pass a much slow-moving auto on the road... it seems to be standing still." Social change in ancient times was no doubt slow, and yet ancient Indian society was not so static or traditional after all. For the implements of agricultural production have remained the same right up to our own times, but the population has gone on increasing so as to touch the 500 million mark now. Therefore, the points referred to above, while needing our attention, should not lead us to believe that the population remained stationary for two thousand years after 300 B.C. There is no evidence to show that the conditions discussed earlier, conducive to the growth of population, had ceased to exist after 300 B.C. There were invasions of the Sakas, Scythians and Hunas no doubt, and the cruel deeds of Mihirikula were long remembered, but the absorption of the conquering hordes in the country's population should not have vitally affected the demographic position. Besides, any loss would have been made up in a few centuries if not decades. Thus, in spite of some periods of decline, the population did naturally grow.