Growth of Muslim Population in Medieval India, A.D. 1000–1800 c8.8

c8.8

Being near the centre of origin of Neolithic cultural traits (India received these earlier than most of Europe), India had thousands of years ago, the basis for a thickly settled population. The highly developed civilization of the Indus Valley people and the Aryans confirms this contention. The Harappa and Mohenjodaro excavations reveal that "as far back as the 3rd or 4th millennium B.C. and probably much earlier still, India was in possession of a highly developed civilization with large and populous cities, well built houses, temples and public buildings...and many other amenities. Both sites contain the ruins of five or six cities superimposed one on top of another, and disclose a well-developed artistic sense and business-like habits.....and a highly developed city life."⁵ "The inhabitants of these cities lived largely no doubt by agriculture".⁶